This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on December 16, 2024.
Aloha mai kākou,
As 2024 draws to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the passion and dedication of the UH Mānoa ʻohana. To our students, mahalo for your hard work and persistence. You are the heart of our mission, and one day soon, you will join a proud network of alumni making a difference in Hawaiʻi and well beyond.
I was fortunate this year to meet many of our alumni in Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles and, of course, here in Hawaiʻi. Their achievements continue to inspire, reflecting the transformative power of a UH Mānoa education. Their stories reminded me that what we do matters so much—not just on campus, but around the world.
These successes are made possible by the hard work and dedication of our incredible community of faculty and staff. Whether teaching, conducting research, or supporting students and facilities, you are the foundation of UH Mānoa’s excellence. Mahalo for your commitment to our mission.
This year, UH Mānoa reached new heights. We welcomed 20,028 students—the largest class since 2013—including a record 3,123 first-time freshmen, and secured a record $464.9 million in extramural funding. These milestones demonstrate the growing recognition of UH Mānoa as one of the nation’s premier institutions of higher education, with impact far beyond our shores.
I am especially proud of our ongoing commitment to supporting students affected by the 2023 Maui Wildfires. UH Mānoa is dedicated to doing everything we can to ensure they complete their degrees and contribute to Maui’s revitalization and future.
Finally, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and appreciation to David Lassner for his exceptional leadership and service as UH President for the past decade. As we bid him aloha, we look forward to welcoming incoming President Wendy Hensel this January, as she prepares to lead us into an exciting new chapter.
I wish you all a joyful and restful holiday season. Congratulations to our December graduates, and mahalo for being part of our UH Mānoa story.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Michael Bruno
UH Mānoa Provost
