University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel was in Waiʻanae for her first visit to a UH Education Center on February 5.
The Leeward Community College Waiʻanae Moku Education Center, which has been serving the community since 1970, provides access to higher education for approximately 200 students, about 60% of whom are Native Hawaiian. The center offers full-service academic programs, allowing students to earn degrees and certificates close to home.
“I’m so impressed, not only with the programs that they’re offering, but with the passion of the people for this community and the absolute dedication to advancing students to their life goals,” said Hensel. “It really inspired me and makes me excited about the work that we’re doing at the university.”
Hensel, who began her tenure as UH president on January 1, 2025, has prioritized engagement with students, faculty and staff across the UH system, as she visits all10 campuses and six education centers in her first 90 days. During her visit to Waiʻanae Moku, she participated in discussions with students and faculty, learning about their personal stories and the challenges and successes of the center.
“The main thing was that she wanted to listen and learn,” said Waiʻanae Moku student Hiʻilani Naluai. “Hearing that—it was a very warm feeling in that room after we had all our discussions—and seeing how much of who she really is and how much she’s willing to help.”
Another student, Alaysia Kyle, expressed enthusiasm for Hensel’s leadership.
“I think she’s amazing so far,” she said. “I love that she has many great plans for the future and for our community college and then just integrating us better into our communities, so I look forward to that.”
Leeward CC Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza praised Hensel’s commitment to engaging with Waiʻanae Moku and its students.
He said, “The students, the faculty, the staff in the community have really embraced President Hensel’s visit, appreciating that she’s committing to being here, committing to coming back to Waiʻanae and supporting all of the amazing programs that have quite frankly, as some of the students have shared, saved their lives.”
- Related UH News story: Leeward CC opens permanent home for Waiʻanae education center, October 10, 2017
For more information about President Hensel, visit the Meet President Hensel webpage. She is also active on social media and encourages the UH community to connect with her on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn.
More images from Hensel’s visit to Leeward CC–Waiʻanae Moku
President Hensel’s campus/education centers remaining schedule:
President Hensel campus visit recaps
- Monday, February 10 – Lānaʻi Education Center
- Tuesday, February 11 – Honolulu CC
- Tuesday, February 18 – UH Hilo
- Monday, February 24 – Hawaiʻi CC
- Tuesday February 25 – Kō Education Center and Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui
- Monday, March 3 – UH Maui College and Maui University Center
- Tuesday, March 4 – Molokaʻi Education Center
- Wednesday, March 5 – Kauaʻi CC and Kauaʻi University Center
- Monday, March 24 – Windward CC
