Top 10 UH News stories 2024

UHNews.org posted nearly 1,500 stories in the very eventful 2024. Here are the top 10 UH News stories of the year:

UH regents unanimously select Wendy Hensel as next UH President
“I humbly accept this position knowing that I have to lead by example and that I need everyone’s support to do everything possible to make sure UH is the institution of higher education that Hawaiʻi needs and deserves.”

Enrollment up at UH’s 10 campuses, surpasses 50K
There are 50,418 students enrolled for the fall 2024 semester, a 3% increase compared to fall 2023. Enrollment is up at eight of the 10 campuses, including all seven community colleges, which has not happened since 2010.

UH breaks extramural funding record with $615.7M in 2024
This marks the third consecutive year that UH has topped half a billion dollars in funding with a record-setting total that is a $99.8 million or a 19.3% increase over UH’s previous record of $515.9 million set in FY 2023.

Maunakea: 1st telescope decommissioning complete
A historic milestone on the summit of Maunakea—the first observatory on the summit has been completely removed and the site restored. The decommissioning of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Hōkū Keʻa Observatory was completed in May 2024, and the area will be monitored over the next three years to assess species population and diversity.

Massive renewable energy project at UH West Oʻahu took years of dedication
The facility, built and operated by AES Hawaiʻi, is generating 12.5 megawatts of clean energy and is supported by a 50 megawatt hour battery energy storage system.

Punihei Lipe selected to lead systemwide Native Hawaiian initiative
Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe has been named the new director of the UH Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao and will lead the initiative to advance the 10-campus system’s commitment to becoming an Indigenous-serving and Indigenous-centered institution.

Hawaiʻi’s future jobs: 70% require postsecondary education by 2031
Seventy percent of all jobs in Hawaiʻi in 2031 will require postsecondary education beyond high school and 36% will require at least a bachelorʻs degree, according to a new report by Georgetown University,

UH developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment
UH has reached a milestone in the U.S. Department of Defense funded project that aims to create a living breakwater system to protect coastlines from erosion and create ecosystems where resilient corals and other ocean life can grow and thrive.

Bachman Hall renovation modernized structure while preserving historic past
A three-year, $26 million dollar renovation of Bachman Hall, one of the iconic buildings on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus, was completed in February 2024.