University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel updated the UH Board of Regents (BOR) about major changes in federal funding and increased student enrollment across the 10-campus system at the September 18 meeting at UH ����ԴDz�.

Hensel also provided an update on an expanded partnership between Hawaiian Airlines and Honolulu Community College to train aviation maintenance technicians. She also congratulated UH ����ԴDz�’s �Ჹ�ɲ���ʻ���Գܾ����� School of Hawaiian Knowledge and its role in hosting a series of events for Hawaiian History Month throughout Kepakemapa (September).

• U.S. Department of Education announcement ()
• Fall 2025 enrollment update ()
• UH News highlights ()
• UH President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance awardee Ivan Hartison ()
• UH nominees for governor’s awards ()

The University of �鶹��ý named Ivan Hartison as the 2025 recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

Hartison was honored for his vital work at the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building at UH ����ԴDz�. He plays an important role in high-level research spaces, including BSL-2 labs and endangered species insectaries, where he helps ensure safety, sanitation and the protection of �鶹��ý’s natural resources.

Beyond his daily duties, Hartison is known for going above and beyond, whether helping students recover endangered Hawaiian flies, lending a hand with heavy lifting or stepping in to support colleagues.

Through his commitment to his job at UH Mānoa, Hartison earned the respect from both peers and students, embodying the spirit of teamwork and service at the University of �鶹��ý.

Established in 1986, the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance recognizes a UH system employee who exemplifies dedication and excellence in supporting campus facilities.

President David Lassner shared recent studies and data points that highlighted the value and affordability of the University of Hawaiʻi’s 10-campuses in his Presidentʻs Report to the Board of Regents (BOR) at the February 16 BOR monthly meeting at UH Hilo. Lassner cited a January UHERO report on the significant return on investment for a UH degree and how UH tuition has actually decreased over the last decade when adjusted for inflation. He also cited a recent national report that found that UH is among the nation’s best community college transfer students who go on to earn their bachelor’s degree.

Lassner also recognized UH Hilo’s Shannon Asejo, the winner of the President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

• UH value and affordability ()
• UHERO report: Degree return on investment ()
• Pell Grant wage advantage ()
• Successful UH transfer students ()
• UHERO report: Tuition declined over last decade ()
• UH’s strong financial position ()
• National leader in low administrative cost ()
• Low student debt ()
• High return on investment to taxpayers ()
• Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance Award: Congratulations Shannon Asejo! ()

See previous president’s reports to the Board of Regents.

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo electrician Shannon Asejo was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance at the February 16 Board of Regents meeting in Hilo, �鶹��ý. The award is given to an employee from one of UH’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Asejo has been with UH Hilo since 2017, and is the sole electrician for the entire campus. Beyond his daily electrician duties, which he performs thoughtfully and efficiently, Asejo assists co-workers with building maintenance and has also become the “go-to” person for support for student-focused projects. He received a standing ovation when he was presented the award and credits his mom for his work ethic.

“She said, you want to work hard, you got to make a difference,” said Asejo shortly after receiving the award. “I love what I do, I love my job, everyone around the university here, they give me love, they send it back, I want to help people I love so I do it for them, too. I do everything I do to help the university and I couldnʻt do it without my crew.”

Asejo’s nominators commend his stellar work ethic and its positive impact on the campus.

One nominator stated, “The sheer volume of electrical work order requests completed within the day would lead one to believe that UH Hilo has several electricians; however, Shannon singlehandedly oversees and completes all electrical requirements for the entire campus, then assists other trades to clear building maintenance backlog.”

His many contributions to campus improvements include:

• An open-air cafe with outdoor seating and accessible outlets
• PV panels, timers and controls for solar powered charging stations in high demand locations
• Assembly and installation of food pantry shelving, as well as keeping the pantry stocked
• Signage, LED tube covers and electrical requirements for a new eSport Lounge
• Refinishing the Library Lanai outdoor furniture

Asejo impresses, not only with his high standards of workmanship, but also with his commitment to cost-saving measures.

Another nominator stated, “Shannon is a clear standout because of his deep rooted spirit of goodwill, coupled with his positive ‘can-do’ work ethic and creative solutions. His willingness to take on challenging projects, and put forth whatever effort is necessary to achieve positive results in a cost-effective manner is a tremendous asset to UH Hilo.”

Read more about previous winners of the Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance award.

University of �鶹��ý President David Lassner announced that UH received a record $505 million in extramural funds for fiscal year 2022 in his monthly report today, July 21, at the Board of Regents meeting at UH ����ԴDz�.

Lassner also provided an update on COVID-19 and possible impacts to UH campuses this fall along with progress reports on the �鶹��ýning Initiative and the tenure working group.

He ended by recognizing UH‘s Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners and the winners of the Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service and President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance.

• COVID-19 update ()
• Strategic initiative survey ()
• Tenure task force update (classification project) ()
• Enrollment update ()
• Record extramural funding ()
• Maunakea update ()
• Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winners ()
• Martin Ramos: President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance ()
• Lee Buenconsejo-Lum: Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service ()
• Previous awardees: Gerald Kato, Marc McClintock, Kim Nishimura ()

See previous president’s reports to the Board of Regents.

Martin Ramos, a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa groundskeeper, has been awarded the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an employee from one of UH’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Ramos has been an essential member of the UH Mānoa grounds team for more than 19 years. A dedicated employee with a strong work ethic, he takes pride in his work and goes above and beyond expectations.

Ramos provides landscaping services for areas which are known to be the most “intricate and difficult” areas to maintain on campus: �鶹��ý Hall, the Sustainability Courtyard, Hamilton Library, and recently, the new Life Sciences Building.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• Some of his assigned areas have had major issues before Martin took over, which were transformed into the most beautiful areas on campus. His work at the planter bed at Hamilton Library has transformed a weed infested area into a well-manicured native bed.
• His expertise in landscaping has helped the landscape management team in training new staff, some of whom have also won this award by using his techniques of planter bed maintenance.
• Martin covers double the standard area with great success. He manages the detailed native garden at the Life Sciences Building which was previously installed by three contractors. He has been doing an incredible job while still maintaining his other areas.
• Martin maintains the grounds at one of the university’s most iconic buildings, �鶹��ý Hall. Flanked by massive palms, large pillars and luscious grounds, Ramos is tedious in the removal of all weeds and debris, and ensures each planter bed and tree well is pristine.
• Ramos’ meticulousness to the grounds ensures that faculty, staff, students and visitors have a memorable campus experience.

Read more about previous winners of the Excellence in Buildings & Grounds Maintenance award.

custodian Jon Takeuchi has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an employee from one of ����’s 10 campuses who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Takeuchi’s professional attitude is at the heart of this award. Reliable, dedicated and hardworking, he takes his responsibilities for Moore Hall seriously and is always eager to go beyond what is required of him. He is hardworking, and he brings joy to those around him.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• Jon Takeuchi stands head and shoulders above them all. He is efficient, industrious, effective, extremely friendly and positive, inventive, dependable, prompt and thorough.
• He seems to know exactly how each faculty member likes to have their offices treated, and he cares for those offices in an efficient and timely manner. This dedication not only helps to improve the appearance of the campus, it also promotes efficient work and removes redundancy.
• All of us are unanimous in our support for Jon and the recognition of the stellar work that he does, day in and day out.
• His pride in his work is evident in everything he does. And I have never found him without a nice word to say or a fun story to tell.

His nominators said that what they feel is most noteworthy about Takeuchi is his exceptionally positive attitude.

“He greets everyone with a genuine smile, and, day in and day out, he shows nothing but kindness and respect to everyone. The students, faculty and staff all adore him,” said a nominator.

custodian Kim Nishimura has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

Nishimura’s hard-working professional attitude represents the core of this award. The faculty, staff and students in the Keller Hall and Physical Science Building (PSB) offices praise her dedication, positive attitude and consistent drive to go above and beyond her assigned duties. Known as “Aunty Kim” and “Miss Aloha,” Nishimura is an undeniable asset to the UH Mānoa campus.

Here’s what her fans have to say:

• From the beginning, Kim’s work ethic, dedication and pride in a job well done were apparent. There was a dramatic transformation, from classrooms, offices and bathrooms that had for years received minimal attention, to facilities where even the door knobs are regularly polished.
• Kim has an open heart and an enthusiasm to help the people working and studying in Keller Hall which propels the level of care that she has for this building. Her love of the job shows in everything she does.
• Whether they need something cleaned or simply need directions, Kim goes about her job with a smile and good humor. I have known Kim to give food to our graduate students because she worries about them.
• Kim has become an indispensable fixture in our department. She shows aloha to everyone who passes Keller and PSB both in her personal interactions and by keeping these buildings at a peak level of cleanliness.

Several aspects of Nishimura’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic deserve special mention beyond her dedicated disinfecting of high-touch surfaces. Light classroom and office use has resulted in birds occupying window ledges. Nishimura maintains sanitary conditions and prevents corrosion by regularly removing nests and cleaning droppings. Also, with staff working from home, students looking for assistance often find department offices closed and Nishimura cheerfully helps them with directions, contact information and anything else she can.

Nishimura has an open heart and an enthusiasm to help the people working and studying in Keller Hall and PSB. Her love of the job shows in everything she does.

custodian Marc McClintock has been honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Buildings and Grounds Maintenance. The award is given to an individual who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial or trucking position.

McClintock is known for going above and beyond his janitorial duties at the Campus Center Complex, from ensuring buildings all had proper air conditioning, to leading repair projects for the Meetings and Events office and Warrior Recreation Center.

Here’s what his fans have to say:

• “He truly is a ‘one-stop-shop,’ because he can be counted on to be assigned a project, determine the solution, research the best value parts and order them and efficiently complete the project.”
• “Marc has become the glue that keeps all the buildings going as he dependably dedicates his skills towards keeping our facilities running and looking good.”
• “He is someone who truly cares about what he does, and he shows it through the quality of his work and wonderful attitude.”

McClintock demonstrates high standards and expectations of himself, serving as a shining example for his team. He is dedicated to the Campus Center and the students they serve.

The University of �鶹��ý President’s Award for Excellence in Building and Grounds Maintenance is a systemwide award which recognizes the dedicated efforts of an individual from any facilities management office who has exhibited sustained superior performance in a maintenance, landscaping, custodial, shop or trucking position.

To submit nominations for this year’s award, (PDF).

• Learn more about the this year’s winner UH Manoa’s Xiao Cheng

The deadline to submit nominations is Monday, September 9, 2019 by 4:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact the Office of the President at president@hawaii.edu.