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 ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ International Students
  issmanoa@hawaii.edu
  UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ 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 Â鶹´«Ã½

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

Leaving her home in India to attend the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa was a leap into the unknown for Ritu Krishna Raju. Having never traveled alone, the move came with excitement, but also the weight of being thousands of miles from her family.

Raju recounted her initial excitement mixed with the challenges of living far from her loved ones.

“When I first arrived in Â鶹´«Ã½, I was overwhelmed—excited, but also carrying the weight of being so far from home,” she shares in her commencement speech to be delivered at the fall 2024 ceremony.

Raju quickly discovered that the warmth of aloha extended beyond a word. She found a community and formed lifelong friendships with people who shared her values and passion. These friendships became her anchor, providing encouragement and laughter through the challenges of her journey. Surrounded by good friends, she learned the true meaning of ʻohana—family that extends beyond blood—and it deepened her connection to the islands and their people.

Marine biology attracts Raju to Â鶹´«Ã½

Drawn to UH Mānoa for its world-renowned marine biology program, Raju’s passion for the environment deepened during her studies. She interned with the at the , analyzing the vocal repertoire of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, gaining invaluable experience in marine mammal conservation. Raju also volunteered at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where she educated visitors about marine life and the importance of protecting coral reefs, sharing her love for the ocean with countless tourists.

Her time at Mānoa was enriched by more than academics. She stretched her creative wings through dance performances and involvement at Kennedy Theatre, while also creating cherished memories with friends—whether hanging out in the courtyard near the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building or engaging with her peers as a Natural Sciences Ambassador.

Growing up, breaking through

More than three years later, she can look back and reflect on how much her experience at her journey at UH Mānoa has shaped her as a person.

“Growth often comes when you least expect it, and I’ve found that stepping out of my comfort zone has revealed more about who I am than I ever imagined. I’ve grown beyond the shy, unsure person I once was into someone who can navigate challenges with purpose and a deep respect for the world around me,” Raju said. “I am thankful for my family giving me their unwavering support that got me to where I am.”

As Raju wraps up this chapter of her educational journey she is considering graduate school to specialize in marine mammal biology with hopes to raise awareness about marine conservation back home in India. She will go knowing she has found and created a second home on the other side of the world with a community Raju can call her own.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½—West Oʻahu and Japan Aviation College Hokkaido (JAA) recently signed an agreement that allows Japanese students to seamlessly transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree in Â鶹´«Ã½. This is the first in what is hoped to be many international partnerships for the Kapolei campus.

“We look forward to bringing JAA students to our campus to enhance their education with an Indigenous-grounded curriculum in our top-notch business program,” UH West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “This valuable partnership will provide our own students with the chance to interact with an international community to expand their global knowledge and understanding.”

Students who complete an associate degree at JAA are guaranteed acceptance with sophomore standing to UH West Oʻahu in with a concentration in , or . The JAA students will have to meet international transfer student requirements, including passing an approved English proficiency exam.

The partnership promotes international education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. Starting in 2025, qualifying JAA students will come to UH West Oʻahu for an in-person experience that will expose them to Indigenous culture, place-based learning and a robust academic curriculum within the Business Administration program.

“Japan and Â鶹´«Ã½ have a deep historical and cultural relationship,” JAA Chancellor Tadahiro Umezawa said. “In international resorts and commercial areas, there are opportunities for Japanese students to learn. This is extremely meaningful, and I hope that it will have a positive impact on the future of students.”

JAA’s International Aviation Business Department aims to train cabin attendants and ground staff who can succeed in the world with international knowledge and culture. Students study languages and Japanese culture to establish the foundation of understanding international cultural differences, learn etiquette and manners through practical manner training classes, and gain a high sense of hospitality.

–By Leila Wai Shimokawa

New, prospective and international students at the have updated online resources from the and the to guide them on their educational journeys.

The highlights the benefits of choosing UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, including excellence in academics, research, athletics and cultural opportunities—both in Â鶹´«Ã½ and internationally. Freshmen and transfer students can use the viewbook to keep on track their first year with a checklist of requirements and important dates, and the viewbook features alumni and faculty voices to welcome them to an educational experience like no other.

The focuses on support and opportunities available specifically for international students, as well as requirements. Similarly to the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Viewbook, the guide features students sharing experiences to encourage international students to make the most of their UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ journey.

provides a breakdown of tuition for resident, non-resident and Western Undergraduate Exchange students, as well as financial aid, scholarship, grant and student employment information.

“These publications are designed to introduce prospective students to the distinctive educational experience that UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ offers,” said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “I hope students and their family members use these pieces as jumping off points to learn more about everything that is available to them here at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.”

The priority application deadline for the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ fall 2023 semester is January 5, and the final deadline is March 1. The priority deadline for financial aid is February 1. More information is available on the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ website and the website.

The (NICE) at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Outreach College has been reaffirmed for a full 10-year accreditation by the (CEA) from April 2022 through April 2032.

NICE centers on oral communication and cultural competence, as well as innovative methods for teaching and practicing real-world listening and speaking tasks.

NICE offers English courses throughout the year for students with a variety of goals. Study options include rigorous intensive English for academic, professional and general purposes, as well as short conversation courses that expose students to life in the U.S. and Â鶹´«Ã½. TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) preparation classes are also offered.

“CEA accreditation means that external reviewers have thoroughly assessed our NICE program offerings to ensure that they meet rigorous academic standards that help to ensure student success. This formal recognition from one of the leading organizations overseeing English language teaching and administration helps students know that the courses they take in the NICE program are of the highest quality,” said Stephanie Vie, acting dean of UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Outreach College.

Cultural immersion

Originally from Chile, NICE program student Mitzi Angelina Labrin Vargas graduated from the University of Chile with a degree in civil engineering and worked as a civil engineer project manager for 11 years before quitting her job to come to UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ to study English.

“I have always wanted to study abroad and practice my English skills in an English country. I feel English is a universal language and I consider it a personal challenge,” said Labrin. “Â鶹´«Ã½ is the perfect place where you can find the perfect mix of studies and nature.”

“Mitzi has been studying in our program since July 2021. She is an outstanding student and recipient of numerous awards for three terms in a row and continues to work hard in the current term,” said Lisa Nakandakari, Outreach College international programs student services specialist. “NICE has really helped her improve her English, especially her confidence in speaking it. This is a testament to the high caliber of teachers and curriculum.”

“When I first came to Â鶹´«Ã½ I was able to understand but wasn’t able to speak fluently, now I’m doing better. I made friends and immersed myself in English,” said Labrin.

Labrin had the opportunity to be one of the interviewees during a site visit of the CEA accreditation, and was happy to contribute to the process. “I know how important the CEA accreditation is because in Chile having a professional license or accreditation is also very important,” she said.

More on the CEA

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ New Intensive Courses in English (NICE) Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period April 2022 through April 2032 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, .

This message was shared with international students enrolled for the first time at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ on June 2, 2021.

Aloha UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ international students,

We look forward to having all of you on the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ (UH) at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus this fall semester as the COVID-19 pandemic is under much better control here in Â鶹´«Ã½.

The COVID-19 requirements to travel to Â鶹´«Ã½ and attend UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ are also transitioning, but please know the university is committed to supporting you through the entire process. We fully understand that vaccine rollouts are delayed in various countries, but all students are strongly encouraged to get a vaccine approved on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) emergency use listing (EUL)—i.e., any vaccine listed on the with assessment status “finalized.” If that is not possible before you arrive in Â鶹´«Ã½, there will be opportunities to get the vaccine after you have arrived.

More detailed information will be provided soon as State of Â鶹´«Ã½ and UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ guidelines are updated and as the situation continues to improve. Please check your MyUH account regularly for updates and know that we are always here to assist you. Email issmanoa@hawaii.edu if you have any questions.

Here is what we know as of June 1.

Traveling to Â鶹´«Ã½

The current travel requirements to Â鶹´«Ã½ are expected to change leading up to the start of the fall semester. Currently, all travelers to Â鶹´«Ã½ must clear the state’s and be symptom free upon arrival to avoid the mandatory 10-day quarantine. The program requires a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to arrival in Â鶹´«Ã½ from , currently limited to facilities in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Canada. Also, certain airlines have specific guidelines to board flights destined for Honolulu, so please be sure to abide by these guidelines prior to your departure.

The expectation is that the will continue to expand, and the hope is that it will cover travelers from most, if not all, Asian and Pacific Rim countries. The program will likely be less restrictive for travelers who can show they have been vaccinated. We anticipate possible testing upon arrival and/or reduced quarantine time for those not yet vaccinated, though this is not yet certain. Downloading the SafeTravels Â鶹´«Ã½ app prior to your departure is necessary, so please make sure you complete the survey and upload all COVID-19-related test results. Upon arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu), Department of Health officials will require you to show the QR code created by your SafeTravels Â鶹´«Ã½ app, after you pass Immigration and Customs.

We will send you more information as the details are finalized. In the meantime, international students are encouraged to begin making their travel arrangements as soon as possible. If you know you will be unable to receive a vaccine before arrival, try to arrive as early as possible (but no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019, as per F1 and J1 visa policy) so you can receive the vaccine in Â鶹´«Ã½ before the start of classes. If you have to quarantine, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own accommodations.

COVID-19 vaccination requirement

UH announced on May 17 that being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will be part of the student health clearance requirement once, as expected this summer, at least one COVID-19 vaccine has been fully licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of June 1, both Pfizer and Moderna have submitted applications for full licensure.

You are considered to be “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the completion of the required vaccine. Currently the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses several weeks apart, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one dose. Health clearance also includes a tuberculosis (TB) clearance and three different immunizations. A student has to meet all health clearance requirements to be on the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ campus.

More information on the student COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Student Housing, being on campus before fully vaccinated

If and when the vaccine requirement takes effect, students will not be allowed in student housing or on campus until they are fully vaccinated, which is two weeks after the final dose. Students will be responsible for the cost of their alternative accommodations until they are cleared. UH will also work with instructors to make sure students are not penalized as they wait to be cleared. Fortunately, about 50% to 60% of courses in the fall semester are online. Students who receive their first dose may be allowed to be on campus with restrictions. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.

Patience is greatly appreciated

There are many details that have yet to be finalized, but please know that tremendous progress is being made against the pandemic in Â鶹´«Ã½ and the United States. As things improve, restrictions will be lessened and updated as life at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ returns to normal.

Please watch for updates and email issmanoa@hawaii.edu if you have any questions.

Soon your journey will begin or continue at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, one of the best universities in the world, where we are proud to have you as part of our ʻohana (family).

Mahalo (thank you), and we look forward to seeing all of you on campus,
Michael Bruno
UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost

In recognition of , students at the have produced a series of short 5–15 minute videos teaching the basics of their languages. The project is sponsored by the UH Hilo and International Student Association.

“We invite you to take a few minutes to learn some conversational words and phrases and information about the many languages our students speak,” wrote Jim Mellon, director of international student services and intercultural education in an email to the campus. “This project is also aimed at recognizing the United Nations’ upcoming International Decade of Indigenous Languages.”

Mini lessons are available on the International Student Association . Viewers can learn the basics of Japanese, Kapingamarangi (spoken in Pohnpei State, Micronesia), Korean, Kosraean, Mandarin, Nauruan, Palauan, Serbian, Sonsorolese (spoken in Palau), Swahili, Swedish, Turkmen and Uchinaaguchi (spoken in Okinawa).

UH Hilo currently enrolls about 200 students from 37 countries. These students contribute diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the campus, enriching the educational experience for all. In addition, the financial contribution of international students to the state and Â鶹´«Ã½ Island is estimated at $185 million and $5.7 million, respectively, for 2019.

—By Susan Enright

International students in the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ 10-campus system contributed more than $82.2 million in direct spending to the state’s economy in 2019, that led to a total economic output of more than $173 million for Â鶹´«Ã½. Those findings were in (PDF) released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

UH international students are responsible for about 45% of the $381.2 million dollars in direct and indirect spending by international students in Â鶹´«Ã½ in 2019.

“International students have positively contributed to Â鶹´«Ã½ and our economy for many years,” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “They have helped to expand our marketing and promotion efforts to reinforce the message that Â鶹´«Ã½ is a place where the world comes to learn.”

The economic impact of international students goes well beyond paying for tuition and fees, according to the DBEDT report:

• $381.2 million in economic output generated, including direct, indirect and induced effects;
• $29.2 million in state taxes generated;
• $168.4 million in household income generated; and
• 3,756 jobs supported by international student spending.

“While the COVID pandemic has added a pause to travel to Â鶹´«Ã½, we are confident that international students will continue to seek educational opportunities in the state in the near future,” said Dennis Ling, administrator of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Business Development and Support Division.

Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s educational institutions hosted a diverse group of students from all over the globe. Japan remained the top country of origin for Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s international students, comprising 31.6% of the total. Japan was followed by South Korea with 14.4%, Switzerland with 9.0%, China with 4.7% (including Hong Kong and Macao), and Germany with 2.9%.

For more, .

This letter was submitted by University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost Michael Bruno to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf and Acting Regulatory Unit Chief, Office of Policy and Planning Sharon Hageman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the new proposed rule .

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf and Acting Regulatory Unit Chief Hageman,

On behalf of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹, I write to urge you withdraw this rule. The proposed elimination of duration of status and its replacement by the proposed fixed length of stay periods (two or four years) would deal a devastating blow to our university and to our nation’s global competitiveness and reputation. Given the gravity of the proposed changes, I also request that the period open for commentary be extended from 30 days to 60 days.

Despite the arguments posted by the Department of Homeland Security, it is clear to us that this ruling would have a chilling effect on international students, who have many options for study abroad. The excellence of higher education in the U.S. has been a strong draw in recent decades; but this ruling, if enacted, would surely work to weaken that draw. A decline in international students would snowball into lower rankings and still fewer of the top international students choosing to study in the USA. Moreover, aside from the many contributions these students make to our academic programs and our reputation for excellence, they also bring very substantial financial resources—directly to our colleges and universities in the tuition and fees they pay, and more broadly to the overall economy. Recent research on the 2018–19 academic year found the contribution to the U.S. economy by international students studying at our colleges and universities to be $41 billion, supporting 458,290 jobs.

The proposed periods (2 years or 4 years) will be inadequate for many international students at all levels, but especially so at the graduate level. Average time to doctoral degrees for all students has recently been determined to be 7.3 years; and for international students only slightly more (7.5 years). Why would a capable international student choose to risk coming to the U.S. for graduate study knowing that an extension would be needed and could not be guaranteed until more than 3 years into their study—an enormous risk of time and financial resources—when they have so many other countries they could choose without having the uncertainty about being granted an extension?

Requiring application to USCIS for Extension of Stay (EOS) would add substantially to the workload of an already overburdened USCIS, as well as our international student and scholar services offices. And it would place an additional financial and workload burden on international students and scholars themselves.

This proposed rule change is unlikely to make the U.S. any safer, since DHS already tracks international students and exchange visitors, who are also monitored closely by the colleges and universities that host them. Instead, it sends a negative, discouraging message to them, at the same time as many other countries around the world are taking steps to ensure that international students and exchange visitors feel welcome and are provided with the support systems they deserve.

I urge you to withdraw the proposed rule. It is fundamentally flawed and its implementation would be counter to the national interest, doing far more damage to our institutions than making them and our nation more secure.

Sincerely,
Michael Bruno
UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Provost

Editor’s note: On July 14, 2020, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security rescinded its policy that would bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the U.S. The policy regarding online coursework returns to the federal guidance published for spring and summer, which allows continuing international students to remain in the U.S. while taking all online classes, regardless of what format their school uses for course delivery.

The following message was shared with the students, faculty, and staff of the 10-campus University of Â鶹´«Ã½ system on July 9, 2020.

Aloha,

This past Monday the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided new guidance on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that governs the eligibility for international students to remain in the U.S. for their studies. While it has long been the case that international students cannot take a fully online course load while in the U.S., this requirement was waived during spring and summer 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions across the country to abruptly shift to fully online instruction.

The new guidance revokes the spring 2020 guidance, so for fall 2020, international students in the U.S. are not permitted to enroll in a schedule of only online courses. Most troublingly, this guidance would apply even if all their courses shift to fully online in the middle of a semester again.

We view the new guidelines as unfair, harmful and inappropriate in the unpredictable situation we all face during this COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The federal government’s new guidance has created unnecessary fear and uncertainty for international students on our UH campuses and across the nation.

Our first and highest priority right now is to ensure we can enable all our international students to continue their UH education in Â鶹´«Ã½. There were nearly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled at UH’s 10 campuses in fall 2019. They have long been vital members of the UH ʻohana, and we embrace our commitments to support their education here.

After studying the new DHS guidance and reviewing the SEVP rules, we believe that we can enable our international students to continue their UH studies under the current guidance, even if the campus needs to revert back online. As we finalize our approach we will advise our international students accordingly.

Our experience is that this type of situation can be quite dynamic, which adds to the uncertainty. We are working with our congressional delegation and professional associations to attempt to correct these guidelines.

E malama pono,
David Lassner
UH President