{"id":219078,"date":"2025-08-04T13:24:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T23:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=219078"},"modified":"2025-08-04T13:24:43","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T23:24:43","slug":"regent-wilson-aloha-and-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/08\/04\/regent-wilson-aloha-and-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Regent Wilson\u2019s legacy: Aloha and action"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Hensel,
Board of Regents honor Ernie Wilson in resolution adopted at a July 17 meeting, from left UH<\/abbr> President Wendy Hensel, Wilson, BOR<\/abbr> Chair Gabriel Lee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After 10 years on the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Board of Regents, Ernie Kaʻaumoana<\/span> Wilson Jr. ended his term this July with a full heart. At nearly 87, the former Army officer, hotel executive and educator calls his service a meaningful closing chapter to a career built on aloha.<\/p>\n

Two lessons from his time as a UH<\/abbr> regent continue to resonate, Wilson said. First, the value of the voices of the students and the faculty. For years, he listened closely as both testified at BOR<\/abbr> meetings, sharing their needs, frustrations and hopes.<\/p>\n

\"Wilson
Wilson with UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“I\u2019m a marketing person, and what\u2019s important is that we need to look at our students because our students are our customers,” he said. “We can never lose sight of that. We need to provide what the customer needs to be successful and to prosper. For that to happen, it requires leadership from both the university and, ultimately, the Board of Regents. Together, they must foster an environment that supports and encourages the faculty and staff, our primary constituency, who play a key role in meeting our students\u2019 needs.”<\/p>\n

Wilson\u2019s second lesson—helping select UH<\/abbr>\u2019s newest president. In October 2024, the BOR<\/abbr> unanimously appointed Wendy Hensel as the next president of the 10-campus system, a decision he considers one of his proudest contributions.<\/p>\n