{"id":236780,"date":"2026-06-30T11:01:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T21:01:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=236780"},"modified":"2026-07-02T09:19:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T19:19:02","slug":"whittaker-board-of-regents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/30\/whittaker-board-of-regents\/","title":{"rendered":"Keola Robert Whittaker appointed to UH<\/abbr> Board of Regents"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Whittaker
Keola Robert Whittaker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Keola Robert Whittaker was appointed to the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Board of Regents<\/a> (BOR<\/abbr>) on June 26, 2026, by Gov. Josh Green, pending confirmation by the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> State Senate. Whittaker will represent Maui County through June 30, 2030, filling the seat vacated by Kuiokalani Gapero following his resignation.<\/p>\n

Born and raised in Honolulu, Whittaker has lived on Maui since 2020. A land use attorney, he represents clients on development projects, environmental review under the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Environmental Policy Act and regulatory matters involving state and county land use agencies.<\/p>\n

“I understand the unique challenges facing communities on Maui, Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island, Kauaʻi<\/span>, Molokaʻi<\/span> and Lānaʻi<\/span>, and the transformative role the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> can play in their future,” Whittaker said. “I will strive to bring a neighbor island perspective that is essential to the governance of a university system that serves the entire state.”<\/p>\n

More about Whittaker<\/h2>\n

Whittaker also serves on the boards of Habitat for Humanity Maui and Wave of Harmony, a foundation that supports performing arts education, cultural programs and youth development. He previously served as board president of the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles and on the board of Outright International, a global nonprofit that advances human rights for LGBTQ+<\/abbr> people.<\/p>\n

Whittaker earned a BA<\/abbr> from Whitman College, an MA<\/abbr> from Reed College and a JD<\/abbr> from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Starr King School for the Ministry, where he serves as student body president.<\/p>\n

More about the BOR<\/abbr><\/h2>\n

The BOR<\/abbr> governs the 10-campus University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> system and is responsible for policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning. The board consists of 11 non-compensated volunteer members representing every county in the state, including five from the City and County of Honolulu, two each from Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and Maui counties, one from Kauaʻi<\/span> County and one UH<\/abbr> student.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Whittaker will represent Maui County through June 30, 2030.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":236784,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1193],"tags":[72,61,62,63,64,65,71,14,9,60,947,59,66],"class_list":["post-236780","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-administrative","tag-board-of-regents","tag-hawaii-community-college","tag-honolulu-community-college","tag-kapiolani-community-college","tag-kauai-community-college","tag-leeward-community-college","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-uh-hilo","tag-uh-manoa","tag-maui-college","tag-uh-system","tag-uh-west-oahu","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t