This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa on January 13, 2025.
Aloha mai kākou,
The start of a new semester brings renewal and excitement. To our returning students, welina mai—welcome back! To our new students, we are thrilled to welcome you to the UH Mānoa ʻohana. You bring fresh energy and inspiration to our campus.
Somber start to 2025
Unfortunately, 2025 begins on a somber note with the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Many of our haumāna (students) are from the LA area, and our hearts go out to everyone affected by this tragedy. We have already reached out to the students who live in the affected areas to offer assistance to help in any way we can. This is a poignant reminder of the importance of standing together, especially as we continue to support our Maui students following the 2023 Lahaina fire. Let’s remain committed to helping one another through both challenges and triumphs.
New leadership
This year marks a new chapter in leadership as we welcome Wendy Hensel as the new president of the University of Hawaiʻi. You can learn more about Wendy by visiting the Meet the President webpage. In her January 6 message to the UH campuses, she shared how the Hawaiian concept of pilina is guiding her approach as she begins her role at UH. Pilina embodies the essence of relationships, interdependence and connections that span generations and places.
There will be two opportunities for you to participate in welcoming President Hensel to the UH Mānoa Campus. Please join us on Wednesday, January 22, at 9:45 a.m. on Hawaiʻi Hall lawn (look for the white tent) for a ceremony welcoming our new president to the campus. Later that day at 3 p.m., please join us in the Campus Center Ballroom for an open forum with President Hensel. She looks forward to hearing your manaʻo (thoughts). Refreshments will be provided at both opportunities. President Hensel is also meeting with our campus governance groups that day and on Thursday, January 23.
Building a better future
2025 will be an exciting year for UH Mānoa. In the fall, the new Student Success Center between University Avenue and Hemenway Hall and Hale Haukani, the new graduate student housing facility on Dole Street across Frear Hall, will be opened.
Construction will soon begin on McCarthy Mall to build a five-story facility with modern classroom spaces and upgrades to the mall and Paradise Palms Food Court. I appreciate your patience with the noise and disruption the project may bring but when it is complete, this project will transform the heart of our campus.
UH Mānoa continues our ascent among the nation’s finest universities, thanks to a solid foundation built by our amazing faculty and staff. Let’s make 2025 a year of even greater success, for the people and places of Hawaiʻi. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Aloha nui,
Michael Bruno
UH Mānoa Provost
