This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of �鶹��ý system on September 10, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

The U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) today announced it will , including those for Alaska Native and Native �鶹��ý (ANNH) and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving-Institutions (AANAPISI), because they tie eligibility to race/ethnicity quotas. The USDOE also indicated that mandatory MSI funds appropriated by Congress will continue for now, while longer-term legal questions are reviewed.

This is a deeply concerning development raising important questions for all 10 campuses. It will affect all of our students, the programs that support them and the dedicated staff who carry out this work. Today’s announcement in no way diminishes the value or importance of that work. Like many in the UH ʻohana, I am deeply saddened by this development.

We are actively assessing the impact on each UH campus and program, and we will share campus-specific details as soon as they are available.

What we can say today:

• Discretionary ANNH and AANAPISI grants are ending in FY25 (September 30). This termination will affect students and programs across the system and positions funded by these grants.
• Congressionally mandated ANNH and AANAPISI funds will continue but their long-term status is uncertain.
• Institutional funds are limited and will be prioritized to provide mission-critical and short-term bridge support.

To our community, we say unequivocally that UH remains committed to the care and success of every student and the preservation and advancement of �鶹��ýan ʻike (knowledge) and ʻōlelo (language). It is central to our mission as a Native Hawaiian place of learning and an Indigenous-serving institution, as articulated in our system and campus strategic plans.

We are united in our determination to meet the demands of this moment and continue to serve our students and our community. We will find a way to work within any new framework created and partner with our campus stakeholders, congressional delegation and state leaders to address this latest challenge.

In the days ahead, campus leaders will identify programs that have been terminated or are at risk and implement contingency plans to sustain high-priority student services. We will provide regular updates to students, faculty and staff as more information becomes available and as federal guidance evolves. Specific questions from program leads should be directed to your campus leadership.

Mahalo for your patience and partnership as we work through this dramatic change in federal policy. Our shared kuleana to support all students and communities and to steward ʻike �鶹��ý remains steadfast.

Me ke aloha,
Wendy Hensel
UH President

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of �鶹��ý system on July 21, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

I write to share important updates from Washington, D.C. that are expected to affect our campuses and higher education nationwide.

On July 4, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a reconciliation package passed by Congress that makes certain tax and spending changes, some of which are permanent.

Separately, Congress is reviewing the President’s proposed federal budget for the fiscal year that begins on October 1. Unlike a single reconciliation package, this process is more complex, requiring passing 12 individual appropriations bills to fund government operations.

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

As I briefed the Board of Regents earlier this month, some of the key provisions in the new law that will impact higher education, many of which will go into effect on July 1, 2026, include:

• Students receiving non-federal scholarships covering their full cost of attendance will lose Pell eligibility for that term, which will still count toward their 12-semester Pell limit. We are evaluating how this affects our program.
• Colleges will be held accountable for graduates’ earnings. Programs with graduates earning less than the average high school graduate could lose eligibility for federal student loans.
• Grad PLUS loans are eliminated, and Parent PLUS loans are capped at $65,000 per student, which may reduce graduate enrollment and disproportionately affect historically underrepresented groups.
• New annual loan caps of $20,500 for graduate students and $50,000 for professional students may fall below the full cost of attendance, limiting access to advanced degrees.
• Future borrowers will have only two repayment plan options, which may lead students increasingly toward private loans.

There is also the possibility that the new law could reduce state funding for higher education if states shift resources to offset federal cuts to Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The full impact of these changes remains to be seen along with the impact on our students and their families who rely on SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

On a positive note, the final law did not include some of the most concerning proposed changes, such as eliminating Pell Grants for less-than-half-time students, reducing awards for students taking less than 15 credits, or ending subsidized undergraduate loans. It also expands Pell eligibility to qualifying short-term programs of 150–600 hours over 8–15 weeks.

More extensive analyses are available from the (APLU) and the (NASFA).

Federal guidance is expected in the coming months. On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education issued a “” outlining how some of the higher education provisions of the Big Beautiful Act will be implemented.

Proposed Federal Budget

The President’s proposed FY 2026 budget under review includes significant cuts to research funding:

• National Science Foundation: 55% proposed cut ($9B to ~$4B)
• National Institute for Health: 40% proposed cut ($47B to ~$27B)
• Dept. Of Energy Office of Science: 14% proposed cut ($8.2B to ~$7.1B)
• NASA Science: 48% proposed cut ($7.5B to ~$3.9B)
• NOAA: 26% proposed cut ($6.1B to ~$4.5B)

The federal budget process is far from complete, and as with Pell and the One Big Beautiful Bill, proposals often change before final approval. Congress has not passed all 12 appropriations bills on time since 1996, relying instead on continuing resolutions or omnibus bills each year. Although the outcome remains uncertain, first indications from mark ups of several appropriations bills suggest that Congress has taken a different approach to the President’s Budget. Both House and Senate appropriators have restored or slightly reduced the budget of several agencies including, NSF, NOAA and NASA to federal Fiscal Year 2025.

We are also monitoring the administration’s proposed 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursements for research grants, which would significantly reduce funding from current rates of 40–55%. The Joint Associations Group on Indirect Costs representing major industry organizations, such as the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities and the American Council on Education, is currently engaged with the federal government to establish a more efficient and fair model for indirect cost reimbursements. This proposal is still under negotiation.

Supreme Court allows federal worker layoffs

A recent Supreme Court ruling could also have significant implications for higher education. The court lifted a lower-court injunction, allowing the Trump administration to proceed with mass federal worker layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education under an , without ruling on their ultimate legality. This expansion of presidential authority over federal employment could disrupt essential services such as student aid, research oversight, and agency support if key personnel are displaced.

Looking Ahead

We continue to work closely with �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation, Gov. Green, the Legislature, the state attorney general, and national higher education associations to advocate for UH and higher education. I remain in regular consultation with the UH Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Policy and our leadership teams to guide our response and plan for potential budget impacts.

I will keep you updated as new developments emerge.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of �鶹��ý

Stay connected with President Hensel on , , and

The ’s nearly 20-year involvement in a national effort to support underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has come to an end, following the termination of federal funding for the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program.

Since 2006, UH Hilo has led the Islands of Opportunity Alliance, using LSAMP support to provide mentorship, research stipends and academic pathways for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and first-generation college students.

Over the years, LSAMP empowered nearly 400 UH Hilo students—and more than 1,300 across the region—through transformative experiences that propelled many into graduate programs and leadership positions in �鶹��ý‘s STEM workforce. Until its recent termination, the grant also supported students at UH ����ԴDz�, UH West Oʻahu, Chaminade, �鶹��ý Pacific University, the University of Guam and numerous community colleges throughout the Pacific.

“LSAMP helped me connect my cultural identity to scientific research,” said Shania Tamagyongfal, a Yapese student who earned both her undergraduate degree in anthropology and master’s in heritage management at UH Hilo. “It gave me the confidence to lead, collaborate, and pursue work that matters to my community. Losing this program is a real setback for students like me.”

Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin noted that LSAMP “embodied our commitment to creating pathways for historically underserved students in higher education. It not only supported academic success but also helped our students see themselves as scientists, researchers and leaders. Its legacy will remain part of how we move forward.”

Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program also impacted

The termination also affects the Keaholoa STEM Scholars Program, a UH Hilo initiative that blends Hawaiian values with scientific education, offering students a culturally grounded space to explore STEM.

“Programs like Keaholoa and LSAMP help our students see that science can reflect their culture, language and values,” said Keaholoa Program Manager Keala Campbell. “That connection empowers them, not just to succeed academically, but to lead in ways that honor who they are. We’re committed to finding ways to keep that momentum going.”

Next steps

UH Hilo leadership remains committed to building on the foundation LSAMP and Keaholoa established—finding new ways to support students, advance equity in STEM, and honor the programs’ enduring impact.

“The community we’ve built around these programs is strong,” said LSAMP Program Director Joseph Genz, “and we’re doing everything we can to keep that momentum going.”

‘Not in alignment with current NSF Priorities’

On May 2, 2025, UH Hilo received official notice from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that LSAMP funding would be terminated, effective immediately, representing a loss of nearly $2.3 million in support over the next five years. The NSF offered the following justification for its decision: “termination of certain awards is necessary because they are not in alignment with current NSF Priorities.”

LSAMP joins a growing list of federally funded programs across the UH system affected by evolving national grant priorities—more than 80 programs have been impacted to date.

A program at the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� that supported dozens of career development activities for women in geosciences and community outreach was terminated by the loss of federal funding.

In April, Barbara Bruno, project lead and faculty member at the in the UH ����ԴDz� (SOEST), was given a termination notice with instructions to immediately close operations on the National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded program. About two-thirds of the nearly $200,000 budget was forfeited when the grant was terminated.

“SOEST is �鶹��ý’s largest producer of geoscience graduates—alumni who go on to monitor volcanic hazards, predict extreme weather, conduct assessments of environmental impacts, ensure sustainable use of �鶹��ý’s freshwater resources, and more,” said Bruno. “I think the biggest impact of this termination is the loss of professional development opportunities for women. STEM is hemorrhaging women—we need programs to keep them.”

The NSF award supported a mini-grant program, , that funded geoscience workforce development in two ways: outreach and community engagement to attract the next generation of STEM professionals; and professional development for current SOEST students and early career scientists.

Loss of career development and outreach opportunities

Through the mini-grants program, female students, post-doctoral researchers, staff and faculty submitted applications to secure funding to attend professional meetings, technical or career development workshops; or engage in field work or research collaborations. For example, this project supported activities of a co-writing group for women in SOEST and multiple student-oriented groups focused on diversity, equity and inclusion within UH.

The federal funding cut also resulted in terminating two months of Bruno’s salary and several mini-grants that were in process. Funding was pulled from a Palauan graduate student who is pursuing her doctoral degree in the Marine Biology Graduate Program and studying the unique and diverse coral communities of Ngermid Bay in the Republic of Palau.

The successfully completed outreach and community engagement efforts supported by this program include training for ; and workshops, hands-on activities, and presentations to community members and middle and high school students that focused on and .

“We were also actively soliciting applications for the next round of CASA funding when we received the termination notice,” said Bruno. “Ending this grant eliminates the support for future professional development opportunities and K–12 and community engagement.”

Next steps

On May 28, �鶹��ý Attorney General Anne Lopez and 15 other attorneys general filed a lawsuit to stop illegal attempts to cut critical NSF programs and funding that help maintain the U.S.’ position as a global leader in STEM. Bruno submitted a declaration in support of this federal lawsuit, attesting to the adverse impacts of the sudden termination of her NSF grant. Bruno is actively pursuing alternative funding sources to support these initiatives.

Severe budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration to NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF) are raising major concerns within �鶹��ý’s astronomy community. Aside from the potential loss of federal funding for the Thirty Meter Telescope, funding reductions could also have wide-ranging implications for the University of �鶹��ý’s (IfA), its research and its students. IfA is a globally renowned research center and home to one of the world’s largest university-based astronomy programs, with observatories on Maunakea and Haleakalā that have helped make some of the most remarkable cosmic discoveries ranging from exoplanets to distant galactic phenomena.

UH News sat down with IfA Director Doug Simons to discuss how the proposed cuts may affect �鶹��ý’s standing in the global astronomy community.

What’s at stake moving forward?

Simons: The proposed fiscal year 2026 budgets at NASA and NSF have been cut severely and pretty much uniformly. Almost half of the Science Mission Directorate’s budget at NASA has been cut, and a comparable 50% or so has been cut at NSF. So for astronomy here in �鶹��ý, there are a number of facilities that are directly impacted, including 17% cut from the W.M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea and 39% cut in the U.S. portion of the Gemini International observatory. We’re also looking at the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) no longer being funded through the construction queue at NSF as part of this whole process.

What impact could these cuts have on grad students and research efforts at IfA?

Simons: Yes, a large fraction of our graduate program is sponsored by NASA and NSF, so our education program is definitely put at risk by these proposed cuts. The related threat of reduced numbers of observatories means that our research program at IfA is also at risk. It’s important to realize that a large fraction of observing time at IfA goes to our graduate students and programs involving undergraduates, giving them unique research opportunities compared to most other astronomy graduate programs. So again, I have a lot of concern near and long term about the impacts of these cuts to our research and education program, and associated knock-on effects.

What would the cuts mean for the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) on Haleakalā, and its role in training UH astronomy students?

Simons: I’m very concerned about DKIST. They also have a proposed 40% cut, and that’s a brand new, $350+ million state-of-the-art solar telescope, the best ever built, that’s just out of the “starting blocks.” I honestly don’t know what problem is solved by massive cuts to a brand new observatory like DKIST.

Would you say �鶹��ý is a global leader in astronomy?

Simons: �鶹��ý astronomy is number one in the world in terms of science output, and that is absolutely at risk with deep cuts proposed in the NASA and NSF programs. Much of the U.S. northern hemisphere ground based astronomy program is in �鶹��ý, so those cuts go right to the core of U.S. astronomy research. There are also proposed cuts in Federal research facilities in Chile, so the net effect, if we do not turn this around, will be widespread and lasting. It takes a long time to design, build, fund and operate these observatories and a large part of 21st century astronomy leadership will likely go to Europe/Asia, where budgets for astronomy research remain supportive.

If these cuts move forward, what impact could it have on �鶹��ý’s economy, considering astronomy provides local jobs and brings in significant funding?

Simons: The latest (2019) estimate is astronomy provides about $220 million of economic impact statewide, with about half of that on �鶹��ý Island. Nearly 600 people are employed by the Maunakea Observatories, making Maunakea astronomy one of the largest providers of good-paying STEM jobs on the island. The combined operating budgets for the Maunakea Observatories is $70 million – $80 million annually, with most of those funds being directly injected into the local economy through the salaries of observatory staff. More than $2 million is invested annually by the Maunakea Observatories in education and outreach programs across �鶹��ý Island. Over a hundred companies help support �鶹��ý observatories, diversifying economic benefits across a wide range of contractors and professionals. The total number of people directly employed by astronomy is closer to 1,000 including Maui and Oʻahu, where similar economic “multipliers” occur.

UH-operated telescopes in partnership with NASA play a leading role in spotting potentially dangerous asteroids. What does the funding picture currently look like for UH’s planetary defense work?

Simons: I was relieved to see that NASA retained its planetary defense program as a high priority. For IfA, that secures the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Maunakea, PanSTARRS, which includes a pair of telescopes on Haleakalā, and ATLAS. There are now five ATLAS telescopes worldwide, which basically serve as the last stand, if you will, for detecting potential earth impactors. That’s a total of eight telescopes IfA owns/operates that could have been lost had NASA decided that the planetary defense program was not a priority. I’m pleased to say that amongst everything else going on, that survived.

How do you feel about the direction these proposed cuts are taking, especially given your decades of experience in �鶹��ý astronomy?

Simons: It is extremely disappointing, particularly because I’ve watched the evolution of �鶹��ý astronomy throughout most of my career, and the net effect of these recent decisions, which again are completely self-inflicted, is to diminish our ability to answer some of the most fundamental questions in science. It doesn’t have to be that way. We are decisions away from being able to stop this, but if we don’t, we’re looking at widespread damage to long-standing investments of broad state, national and international benefit.

A vital part of �鶹��ýʻs safety net for financially struggling families and kūpuna is threatened by federal budget cuts, potentially leading to many more people going hungry and eroding the health of communities.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s SNAP-Ed program, run by the (CTAHR), is one of the federally funded initiatives on the chopping block in the U.S. Congress.

For years, SNAP-Ed has played a key role in teaching ʻohana how to prepare healthy, budget-friendly meals, helping to fight hunger and support community well-being across the state.

“Our college has been working with local families and kūpuna (elders) through SNAP-Ed for more than 20 years,” said Jean Butel, SNAP-Ed program director at CTAHR. “Our SNAP-Ed program has become a trusted community partner that helps about 15,000 community members across �鶹��ý every year. We meet people where they are: public schools, farmer’s markets, senior care facilities and other community gathering places.”

Funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP-Ed teaches eligible ʻohana how to plan meals, stretch their food dollars, compare prices, and even grow their own vegetables.

Program success

Data highlights the program’s effectiveness with CTAHR’s direct education classes:

• 91% of participants improved their diet.
• 83% learned to budget, compare prices and plan meals.
• 40% reported they could afford more food or had enough for the family.

CTAHR and the �鶹��ý State Department of Health manage SNAP-Ed programs with a combined $1.57-million budget for this year. However, SNAP-Ed has been eliminated from the federal budget being debated by Congress, putting the future of the program at risk in �鶹��ý and nationally.

“We are grateful that �鶹��ý’s Congressional delegation fully supports SNAP-Ed. With our geographic isolation, high cost of living, and ongoing food insecurity, full funding is essential for Congress to continue supporting �鶹��ý’s SNAP-Ed families and kūpuna,” said CTAHR Dean Parwinder Grewal.

If Congress does not restore funding, the program will end on September 30. Supporters say that cutting SNAP-Ed programming could hurt ʻohana already struggling with food insecurity.

A recent round of federal funding cuts included the termination of a $3 million grant from the Office of Naval Research to the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�. The grant, awarded to Chip Fletcher, interim dean of the (SOEST), supported the (CRC), which provided data and high-resolution modeling of sea level rise impacts, heat exposure and precipitation extremes—critical tools that inform decisions made by state and county agencies, urban planners, infrastructure designers, and emergency managers.

“The loss of federal funding for �鶹��ý’s climate and sea level rise research will have devastating consequences for the state’s ability to plan, adapt and protect its people and resources,” said Fletcher.

“The models we develop and their supporting databases underpin key pieces of �鶹��ý’s climate legislation and coastal permitting regulations, including assessments of flood risk, groundwater inundation, coastal erosion, coastal construction setbacks and public safety. Without sustained federal investment, �鶹��ý will lose its capacity to provide accurate climate projections tailored to island topography, severely hampering our preparedness for compound hazards such as king tides, rain-at-high-tide flooding and storm-driven flooding.”

CRC employed 15 people, including graduate students, climate researchers, policy experts and geospatial analysts. To prepare for and adapt to the growing threats related to climate change in �鶹��ý and the Pacific region, this team gathered data and developed new modeling tools that reduce vulnerabilities to community and infrastructure on the island of Oʻahu.

Specifically, the CRC team has been modeling the impacts of sea level rise including flooding, coastal erosion, drainage failure, wave impacts at higher sea level and groundwater pollution with higher sea level.

Data guides land management, policies

Various state laws and policies rely on CRC data and models: construction setbacks on Maui, Kauaʻi, and Honolulu; mandatory disclosure of sea level rise impacts in real estate transactions; Special Management Area designations on Maui and Oʻahu; Kauai County sea level rise constraint district; and the required analysis of sea level rise impacts in state Environmental Policy Act, including environmental impact statements and environmental assessment permits.

“The loss of these data systems will undermine the scientific foundation of climate resilience policies, stall progress on community adaptation, and increase the vulnerability of coastal populations, public infrastructure, and cultural heritage,” Fletcher emphasized. “Maintaining federal support is not just about sustaining science—it is about safeguarding �鶹��ý’s future.”

—By Marcie Grabowski

A three-year effort to support Pacific Island communities with climate data for resilience planning has been upended by the termination of a grant overseen by the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� .

The grant was terminated on May 15, with about $175,000 of the original $456,000 remaining unspent. It funded two primary objectives: providing climate and weather research to Pacific Island communities, and integrating the results and data into a web-based dashboard, maintained by , an affiliate at the . Initial integration into the dashboards had begun when the grant was ended.

The project was part of a collaboration with NOAA and other local partners in the Island-Led Resilience 2030 initiative, which is an extension of a broader United Nations’ effort to implement sustainable development goals through place-based action.

“The idea was that my team would provide the science behind some of the issues surrounding climate change,” said James Potemra, the project’s principal investigator. “Then, �鶹��ý Green Growth would add this to the sustainability development goal dashboards.”

Impact on �鶹��ý and the Pacific

Potemra and his team conducted scientific studies into the environment and climate of the Pacific and provided their findings to stakeholders, such as local governments, for further action.

The project aimed to expand research to Pacific Islands beyond �鶹��ý, starting with the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The funding cancellation put an end to the team’s climate research and forced them to pull out of their international partnerships.

“We spent a lot of time going out to Palau, and we were promoting what we were doing,” Potemra said. “Now, unfortunately, we have to say, thanks for giving us the input, but we can’t do anything anymore.”

Future steps

In an effort to avoid any major staffing changes, Potemra said he is leveraging other SOEST grants to fund the three staff members that were working on Pacific climate research before the grant was terminated.

Potemra also said he is looking into alternative funding sources, such as the United Nations’ , to continue his work in the Pacific.

“The hope is the UN will renew that to address another group of islands,” Potemra said. “And if that’s true, then we’ll be very aggressive about getting more funding and going to different places out in the Pacific.”

Still, Potemra acknowledged that finding a full funding replacement is a challenge.

“It’s really a herculean task at this point,” he said.

Read more on UH’s response to federal policy changes.

— By Grant Nakasone

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel met with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on May 28, at UH ����ԴDz� to discuss escalating threats from recent policy changes under the new federal administration.

“We discussed the challenges of research funding, student aid and the work we need to do together to make sure we continue to move the university forward in these changing moments,” said Hensel. “I appreciate his partnership and look forward to working in the days ahead.”

Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Hensel and senior UH leadership to assess the impact of the termination of millions of dollars in federal research grants. The cuts from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services and Education—have disrupted critical research programs and forced the university to adjust its operations and future planning.

“�鶹��ý’s public universities are doing everything right, enrolling more students, investing in innovation and staying focused on local needs, but Trump’s political decisions are putting all of that at risk,” said Schatz. “We’ll keep fighting to protect our campuses, students and the future they’re working so hard to build.”

In a separate virtual meeting, Schatz spoke with chancellors and provosts from across the 10-campus UH System. Campus leaders shared growing concerns about reduced federal funding, student financial aid cuts and increasingly aggressive visa enforcement actions that are putting international students at risk of deportation.

Hensel emphasized the importance of continuing to work closely with �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation to ensure UH remains strong and resilient in the face of ongoing federal challenges.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of �鶹��ý system on May 22, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

Congratulations to all on a successful spring semester. I hope everyone finds time to rest and recharge in the days ahead.

Unfortunately, we continue to see federal policy changes, and I write today with new developments since my last update in the May 17 report to the Board of Regents.

Grant terminations

As of May 21, 80 federally funded grants across UH have been affected by terminations, stop-work orders or drawdowns. This includes 69 outright terminations, representing approximately $83.4 million funding and impacting more than 90 employees. As expected, the number and scale of terminations is accelerating and will undoubtedly take a significant toll on the university.

New DOJ “Civil Rights Fraud Initiative” targets DEI

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of the , which will investigate federally funded universities suspected of violating civil rights laws under the False Claims Act. According to the DOJ, this includes institutions with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies it considers “divisive,” as well as those allegedly tolerating antisemitism. Schools found in violation could face the loss of federal funding, civil penalties and, in extreme cases, criminal prosecution of responsible officials.

This marks another serious escalation in federal scrutiny of DEI programs and civil rights compliance in higher education. While we believe UH policies are compliant with federal law, we will continue to review our practices to ensure that they remain aligned with evolving guidance and enforcement priorities. We remain committed to providing a learning environment and workplace that is respectful and where all are welcome.

Visa enforcement

We are also monitoring reports of possible deportation threats for international students participating in the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program that have failed to keep their SEVIS records up to date by reporting their employment within the required time. Students whose records are not up to date have been issued 15-day notices warning of possible removal proceedings if they do not update their records.

We continue to work with our international students to urge compliance and to protect their legal status. OPT participants should ensure their record is up to date and contact their international student office with any questions or concerns. The list of contacts, available resources and FAQs are available on our Federal Policy Updates and Resources website.

In a related and deeply concerning move, the Trump administration today revoked Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students—an unprecedented escalation in its ongoing conflict with the institution that is reverberating across higher education.

Positive research funding developments

In more encouraging news, today, a federal judge in Massachusetts has preliminarily enjoined the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, ordering the reinstatement of employees whose employment was terminated on or after January 20, 2025, as part of the reduction-in-force announced in March. UH assisted the State Attorney Generalʻs office in obtaining this ruling, which is being appealed by the Trump Administration.

A different federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction blocking the U.S. Department of Energy’s attempt to cap indirect research cost reimbursements at 15%. This is a win (at least temporarily) for higher education institutions like UH, where indirect costs—typically reimbursed at about 50%—help fund essential infrastructure, staffing, utilities and compliance.

The ruling follows a similar decision blocking the NIH’s proposed cap and strengthens ongoing legal challenges to other federal efforts to limit indirect cost recovery including the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) recently proposed 15% cap. The NSF announced on Monday that it is pausing implementation of the cap until June 13, when a federal district court is scheduled to hear arguments in a case challenging the proposal.

Finally, the University has been notified this week of two grants being reinstated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services because of the entered in federal court on May 13, 2025. Once again, this was due in no small part to the good work of the AG assisted by UH.

Temporary suspension of salary compensation adjustments

In response to the ongoing federal funding uncertainty, we are implementing a temporary suspension of all Faculty Special Salary Adjustments (SSAs) for merit, equity and market that have not been approved by May 23, 2025. Exceptions will be considered only for retention purposes. Additionally, APT Special Compensation Performance Awards will not be authorized at this time. More information can be found in my May 22 message announcing this step.

This is the latest financial contingency action taken since we announced hiring restrictions, travel limitations and heightened review of contracts in April. These steps, while difficult, are necessary to maintain the university’s financial stability as we navigate this rapidly evolving environment.

Moving forward

We continue to work closely with national higher education organizations, �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation, Gov. Green, the State attorney general and our own Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Policy and leadership teams to respond to these challenges.

I will continue to keep you informed on any new developments.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of �鶹��ý

Stay connected with President Hensel on , , and

This message was shared with the faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of �鶹��ý system on May 22, 2025.

Aloha colleagues,

As we close out the spring semester and look ahead to the months ahead, I want to thank you for your continued dedication during what remains a time of significant uncertainty for higher education across the country.

As you know, the federal funding landscape continues to shift rapidly. In response, the University of �鶹��ý is taking additional proactive steps to preserve our financial stability and ensure that we remain positioned to respond strategically as conditions evolve.

To that end, effective immediately, there will be a suspension of all Faculty Special Salary Adjustments (SSAs) for merit, equity, and/or market that have not been approved by me as of May 23, 2025. Any SSA requests not approved by that date will be returned to departments without action. Exceptions to this suspension will be made only in cases of retention.

Additionally, there are no current plans to authorize APT Special Compensation Performance Awards at this time.

This suspension will remain in place until further notice as we continue to monitor the financial outlook closely and adjust our approach as conditions warrant.

These actions follow the other financial contingency plans announced April 11–hiring restrictions, limiting travel and additional review of professional services contracts. Please know that these decisions are not being made lightly but are crucial to positioning the university for stability as we enter uncharted territory.

I recognize that this decision may be disappointing and appreciate your understanding and partnership as we navigate these challenges together.

Mahalo for all that you do.

Warmly,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of �鶹��ý

An innovative outreach program that helped thousands of �鶹��ý public school students and teachers connect with Hawaiian culture and sustainable farming was cut short after an unexpected termination to its federal grant.

SPROUTS, short for “Students Propagating ʻUlu Trees for Schools on Oʻahu,” was run by the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (CTAHR). It aimed to plant ʻulu (breadfruit) trees at public schools while teaching students about sustainability and cultural identity.

For many, SPROUTS was more than planting trees—it was about planting purpose.

In the past two years, the program worked with 84 teachers from 31 schools and reached more than 2,600 students across the state. At Kaimukī Middle School alone, students cared for 65 ʻulu trees, which were planted at 18 schools and four farms on Oʻahu.

The SPROUTS program initiative was supported by a $48,825 federal grant through the �鶹��ý Department of Land and Natural Resources.

In February, the funding stopped without warning.

“I had to draw from other sources to continue purchasing supplies for the ongoing care of the trees,” said Lydi Morgan Bernal, a junior extension agent at CTAHR who has helped spearhead SPROUTS at �鶹��ý schools.

Future opportunities clipped

The cut shelved a third professional development course and according to Bernal, has denied more than 1,000 students the chance to engage in ʻulu-based learning this year.

Throughout the years, public school teachers have praised the program’s impact on their students and themselves.

“I feel blessed to have been part of this ʻulu-focused course,” a teacher commented in an evaluation. “I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share my knowledge and passion with others. I entered with hesitation but emerged with a deep appreciation for ʻulu trees, a range of practical skills, and innovative ways to engage my students.”

Decades of support for underrepresented students in �鶹��ý and the Pacific has been shut down due to federal budget cuts. Two student research programs run by the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s (JABSOM) have been ended by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

If the decision stands, we’ll feel the void in five to 10 years—in our classrooms, our clinics and our communities
—Angela Sy

The unexpected termination of the (STEP-UP) and the is anticipated to have lasting effects on local students and the state’s ability to grow its own biomedical workforce.

Pathways cut short

Pacific STEP-UP, a high school research pathway program active since 2002, has served more than 445 students directly and hundreds more through laboratory education. Its director, George Hui, explained that the program trained underserved students, often from rural or isolated communities in the Pacific, to conduct research relevant to their communities.

“From studying taro farming in the presence of global warming and sea level rising, to investigating pollution in the Marshall Islands, students tackled real-world, locally rooted problems,” Hui said.

NIH recently and unexpectedly ended funding for the program. “They said we were engaged in DEI activities that are not aligned with the current administration,” Hui said.

The cut came despite Pacific STEP-UP changing its eligibility rules in March 2024 to include everyone in the Pacific, removing race, ethnicity or sex as criteria for application reviews or funding decisions.

“We were confident we wouldn’t be affected,” Hui said. “We adjusted a year ago. And we had more applications than ever, over 500 this cycle. Now, we’re telling kids they can’t participate. There’s no time, no backup plan, and no comparable alternative.”

Over the last two decades, Pacific STEP-UP was a proven success with students launching successful careers in STEM. Most recently, Nichelle Torcelino from Guam was accepted to Yale, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania. Others from American Samoa have gone to Harvard and claim advanced degrees in public health.

Programs offered more than research experience

“We don’t just give our students lab time,” Hui added. &dquo;We help them believe they belong in science and research. Without programs like this, that path disappears for many.”

The MHRT program, launched in 2013 by Vivek Nerurkar, and now led by Angela Sy, both from the Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Pharmacology, sent underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students to conduct mentored research in places such as Thailand, India, American Samoa, Guam, Cameroon and Liberia.

“These students often had never traveled beyond the state. They return transformed—not just as budding scientists, but as global citizens,” said Sy.

More than 123 students participated, with 66% pursuing graduate degrees and many now working in medicine, research, and academia.

Sakaria Laisene Auelua-Toomey a MHRT 2015 alumni who graduated from UH ����ԴDz� in 2016 earned a PhD in psychology from Stanford University in 2024 and is now a faculty at UH ����ԴDz�.

Impact on �鶹��ý’s research future

Program leaders say the cuts hurt �鶹��ý’s ability to build a local workforce. “These are resource-limited areas,” Hui said. “Without exposure to science, there’s no pipeline.”

JABSOM officials are hoping for a legal reprieve. The termination is being challenged as part of a multistate lawsuit against NIH’s rollback of DEI programs.

“If the decision stands, we’ll feel the void in five to 10 years—in our classrooms, our clinics and our communities,” said Sy.

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University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel provided an update to the UH Board of Regents on the status of international students, impact of the recently issued federal executive orders and the number of terminated federal grants affecting UH. The update was part of her monthly report at the May 15 BOR meeting held at Kauaʻi Community College.

Hensel also shared the latest on the UH ����ԴDz� athletics director search, highlighted the excitement of commencement season (see inspiring graduate stories at UH News) and recognized the remarkable achievements of UH spring semester sports teams.

• International student update ()
• Immigration enforcement ()
• Research update ()
• Executive orders, federal actions ()
• Response and ongoing advocacy ()
• UH ����ԴDz� Athletics Director search update ()
• Commencement season ()
• Kudos to UH sports teams ()

The University of �鶹��ý Board of Regents and UH President Wendy Hensel have joined more than 110 colleges and universities and more than 180 higher education leaders across the country in signing a national letter urging the protection of institutional governance of institutes of higher education from political interference.

The letter by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (AGB) affirms that the strength and global reputation of higher education in the U.S. rest on the independent authority of boards to govern in the best interests of their institutions, free from external political or ideological pressures.

“The Board of Regents (BOR) takes seriously its fiduciary responsibility to govern in the best interest of our students and communities,” said BOR Chair Gabe Lee. “Maintaining independence from political interference ensures we can fulfill that duty with integrity and focus on long-term institutional success.”

The statement draws on the landmark Dartmouth College v. Woodward Supreme Court case, which established foundational protections for institutional autonomy. The letter warns that those protections are being challenged by efforts to tie public funding to ideological conformity or override decisions traditionally made by governing boards, such as whom to hire, whom to admit, or what curriculum to offer.

By signing the letter, UH joins a growing coalition of board chairs, presidents, foundation leaders and accreditors committed to preserving the independence and integrity of higher education governance.

The full letter is below and the list of signatories are available at .

Community Letter Reaffirming the Independence of Higher Education Governance: A Call to Action

In the landmark case of Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819), the Supreme Court affirmed the sanctity of educational charters and the autonomy of private institutions from political interference. Though initially limited to private colleges, the decision came to embody a broader presumption of institutional independence that extended to public institutions. This principle has since safeguarded the ability of higher education to serve society impartially, fostering discovery, innovation, and civic leadership free from transient political pressures.

Today, the independence of governing boards—the foundation of institutional autonomy—faces renewed and expanding challenges. These include not only efforts to condition public funding on political compliance or ideological conformity, but also attempts to control fundamental institutional decisions that are the rightful purview of boards, such as determining whom to admit, whom to hire, and how to fulfill an institution’s mission in service to its students and communities.

We, the undersigned, affirm:

• That governing boards must retain independent authority to fulfill their fiduciary duties without political interference.
• That higher education’s strength lies in its diversity of thought, freedom of inquiry, and insulation from political orthodoxy.
• That preserving institutional autonomy is essential for the vitality of American democracy, economic innovation, and global leadership.

Indeed, it is this very independence of governance and mission that has made U.S. higher education the model for the world. The freedom to govern without political interference has enabled American colleges and universities to lead in research, produce top talent, drive prosperity, and serve as beacons for scholars across the globe.

To preserve the integrity and global standing of American higher education, we call on leaders, advocates, and stakeholders to stand together in the following commitments:

• Defend the independence of college and university governing boards as a cornerstone of constitutional freedoms.
• Reject political interference that undermines academic excellence and fiduciary stewardship.
• Reaffirm the principles of charter sanctity and institutional autonomy articulated in Dartmouth College v. Woodward as vital protections for our nation’s future.

The future of higher education and the democracy it serves depends on our collective vigilance, an unwavering commitment to these principles, and unified action.

A federal grant that helped digitize �鶹��ý’s rarest plant seeds was abruptly terminated in April, dealing a major blow to the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s Seed Conservation Lab and its efforts to preserve endangered flora.

The $250,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) was awarded three years ago to fund high-resolution imaging and online access to the lab’s seed collection, one of the largest tropical seed banks in the world. The project was in its final months and nearing completion when researchers were informed of the funding cut.

The decision came after federal agency staff were placed on administrative leave, following a meeting between IMLS leadership and officials from the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.

“We were blindsided,” said Nate Kingsley, manager of the Seed Conservation Lab. “We had no warning. The project was scheduled to wrap in August, and most of the digitization work is done. But we lost our imaging technician, and we now must find alternative ways to maintain the website that houses this collection.”

Lyon’s Seed Conservation Lab banks more than 34 million seeds from more than 650 native Hawaiian taxa—roughly 45% of the state’s known flora. Nearly half of those species are federally listed as endangered. The lab plays a critical role in long-term storage, restoration and research through partnerships with the Plant Extinction Prevention Program, the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, and others.

The digitization effort made the collection accessible to scientists and seed banks around the world. Kingsley said the resource has already been widely used for identification, research and education.

“Being on an island, and in a freezer, our seeds aren’t exactly easy to access. Digitizing them allowed us to share data without compromising viability,” he said.

With the project halted, Kingsley said he’s exploring stopgap solutions such as recruiting volunteers or student help—but the technical demands and hosting costs remain unresolved.

“To lose this resource now would be devastating,” he said. “We built something that not only preserved our native biodiversity, but helped others do the same. I just hope we can find a way to keep it alive.”

The lab is seeking alternative funding and hopes the site, which currently remains online, can be sustained in the short term. Without intervention, the project—and access to critical conservation data—may soon vanish.

The following message from UH President Wendy Hensel was sent to the students, faculty and staff of the 10 campuses on May 2, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

I write today with two major updates from Washington, D.C., that further underscore the growing challenges facing public higher education and research in the United States.

NSF Indirect Cost Recovery Cap

First, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced it will cap indirect cost recovery at 15% for all new grants awarded on or after May 5, 2025. While the policy does not apply retroactively, it will significantly reduce the ability of universities—including UH—to conduct research. Indirect costs typically cover utilities, building maintenance, staffing, compliance and other related expenses and currently average around 50%. This move follows similar 15% caps announced by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Injunctions are in place for the NIH and DOE policies, but the trend is clear and deeply concerning. These changes build on earlier actions, including the March 20 Executive Order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

We also understand that another wave of grant cancellations is expected to begin today, adding to the disruption already being experienced here at UH and by universities across the country.

Proposed budget cuts

Second, the Trump administration released its proposed federal budget today, which includes an approximately 50% cut to NSF funding and 40% reduction to the NIH budget. These two agencies are cornerstones of global research. Cuts of this magnitude will undermine the future of science and innovation in this country. This budget is among the most damaging to higher education in recent memory. We remain hopeful that Congress will work to reverse these proposed reductions.

East-West Center

The effects of these actions are already being felt here in Hawaiʻi. The East-West Center, located next to the UH ����ԴDz� campus and funded primarily by the federal government, is reportedly offering voluntary buyouts to 80% of its 137 employees amid funding uncertainty. A hiring freeze and cuts to nonessential spending have been in place since February, and several programs have been postponed or canceled. As the center prepares to mark its 65th anniversary this month, the situation serves as a sobering reminder of how federal decisions reverberate through institutions committed to education, diplomacy and research.

What we are doing

These developments reinforce the urgency of continued coordination, communication and advocacy. We will continue to work closely with �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ��’s congressional delegation, Gov. Green, the Legislature, the state attorney general and national higher education associations to push back on these harmful policies. I also continue to meet regularly with the UH Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Policy and our leadership teams to guide our collective response and plan for budgetary contingencies. More information and resources can be found on the Federal Policy Updates and Resources website that is updated regularly.

Through it all, our values remain unchanged. UH will continue to stand for accessible education, academic freedom and the pursuit of knowledge in service to �鶹��ý and the world. I will continue to provide updates as new developments emerge. Mahalo for your resilience and dedication to our mission.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of �鶹��ý

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on , , and

The following message from UH President Wendy Hensel was sent to the students, faculty and staff of the 10 campuses on April 30, 2025.

Aloha UH ʻohana,

I am pleased to report that on Friday, April 25, the federal administration announced that it would reinstate affected students’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which universities and the government use to track international students. All previously affected UH international students have had their SEVIS registrations restored.

It is important to note that the federal government has described this action as “temporary” and indicated that a new policy regarding international students is under development. The situation may change quickly, and we will continue to monitor developments closely. UH is committed to supporting our international students through these uncertain times.

I strongly encourage all international students to utilize the resources available to them. Services are available across the UH System to support international students, faculty and scholars. Please contact the appropriate office below if you need any assistance:

• UH ����ԴDz� International Students
  issmanoa@hawaii.edu
  UH ����ԴDz� International Student Services
• UH Hilo International Students
  mellon@hawaii.edu
  
• UH Community College International Students
  hic@hawaii.edu
  
• International Faculty and Scholars (All UH Campuses)
  fsis@hawaii.edu
  

More information along with frequently asked questions can be found on the UH Federal Policy Update and Resources website.

As we have seen repeatedly in recent months, federal policy can shift quickly and without much notice. UH leadership will continue to monitor these changes and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Mahalo, as always, for your resilience and commitment to supporting our UH ʻohana during these challenging times.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of �鶹��ý

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on , , and

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel addressed the rapid pace of federal policy changes and their growing impact on the 10-campus UH System at a public forum on April 21 at UH ����ԴDz�. More than 120 attended in person and more than 1,000 joined via livestream.

Hensel held her first open forum on March 13, and held a second forum in response to a recommendation from the Presidential Advisory Council on Federal Policy.

Hensel opened the event with a 30-minute presentation detailing recent federal actions affecting international student visas, research funding and university operations. She emphasized UH’s core values at the start and conclusion of her remarks.

“When we say that these are the values and core mission that we stand for, let me say unequivocally, we are defending them, and we will continue to defend them,” said Hensel, who thanked the administration of Gov. Josh Green for its ongoing support. She noted that UH is participating in five lawsuits with the �鶹��ý Attorney General.

Hensel described significant and ongoing impacts to UH research, reporting that as of the morning of April 21, 48 federally funded programs had been terminated, paused or phased out, affecting 82 employees and $36 million in awards. She spoke about the university’s financial stability, which she characterized as strong, and detailed recently implemented hiring and travel limitations.

Hensel also discussed the federal demand letter recently sent to Harvard University that included sweeping conditions on governance and campus expression, which Harvard is challenging in court.

“We absolutely stand with Harvard in this, and we absolutely would not submit to these types of conditions,” said Hensel. “It is fundamental to academic freedom and it’s fundamental to our core mission as a university. We are working with our sister and brother institutions in higher education to stand firmly together as a collective voice.”

• More: UH joins national call to protect higher education from government overreach, April 22, 2025

Questions from the UH community

The presentation was followed by a 40-minute Q&A session with Hensel and members of the UH leadership team, Vice President for Budget and Finance/Chief Financial Officer Kalbert Young, Vice President for Legal Affairs/University General Counsel Carrie Okinaga, Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis Syrmos, Vice President for Administration Jan Gouveia and UH ����ԴDz� Chief Global Officer Brent White.

More than 160 questions were submitted online and in person, with 18 addressed during the session. Topics included the new hiring restrictions, immigration enforcement (Immigration FAQs) and visa revocations (International Students FAQs).

“We check the Student and Exchange Visitor Program records every morning to see if there are any terminations,” said White. “In the very few cases where it has happened, we have reached out to the student by email and by phone, and where possible, have an in-person conversation to connect them to available resources, including pro bono counsel where necessary.”

Hensel was asked whether UH plans to raise tuition to offset anticipated federal funding losses.

“We have not discussed increasing tuition,” said Hensel. “That will be a last resort.”

A number of questions submitted were about the new travel restrictions (Travel FAQs) and what “essential travel” means.

“There are exceptions that play into the definition of essential, including advancement toward promotion and tenure, including, are you delivering science or a research presentation at a conference?” said Hensel.

Congressional support

Near the end of the forum, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, who was in attendance, offered remarks affirming her support for UH and the broader academic community.

“I just wanted to be here to listen to the questions and the responses, and to assure all of you that you’ve got an ally in Congress fighting for these basic things, fighting for the rights of our students, our faculty of our community, to be able to gather, to question, to challenge, to think freely all parts of a very open democracy,” said Tokuda.

More information

More information—including leadership memos, messages from Hensel, executive orders from the new administration, and FAQs—is available on the UH New Federal Policy Updates and Resources webpage.

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel was among more than 190 university and college leaders who signed an April 22 statement by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) opposing unprecedented government overreach and political interference.

“The statement reaffirms our shared commitment to academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas without fear of retribution, and it calls for constructive engagement with policymakers,” said Hensel in an email to the UH 10 campuses.

AACU Public Statement: A Call for Constructive Engagement

As leaders of America’s colleges, universities, and scholarly societies, we speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education. We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses. We will always seek effective and fair financial practices, but we must reject the coercive use of public research funding.

America’s system of higher learning is as varied as the goals and dreams of the students it serves. It includes research universities and community colleges; comprehensive universities and liberal arts colleges; public institutions and private ones; freestanding and multi-site campuses. Some institutions are designed for all students, and others are dedicated to serving particular groups. Yet, American institutions of higher learning have in common the essential freedom to determine, on academic grounds, whom to admit and what is taught, how, and by whom. Our colleges and universities share a commitment to serve as centers of open inquiry where, in their pursuit of truth, faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.

Because of these freedoms, American institutions of higher learning are essential to American prosperity and serve as productive partners with government in promoting the common good. Colleges and universities are engines of opportunity and mobility, anchor institutions that contribute to economic and cultural vitality regionally and in our local communities. They foster creativity and innovation, provide human resources to meet the fast-changing demands of our dynamic workforce, and are themselves major employers. They nurture the scholarly pursuits that ensure America’s leadership in research, and many provide healthcare and other essential services. Most fundamentally, America’s colleges and universities prepare an educated citizenry to sustain our democracy.

The price of abridging the defining freedoms of American higher education will be paid by our students and our society. On behalf of our current and future students, and all who work at and benefit from our institutions, we call for constructive engagement that improves our institutions and serves our republic.