This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu on August 4, 2025.
Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu ʻohana,
Earlier today, Chancellor Maenette Benham announced that she is stepping down in December 2025, after nearly nine years of leading 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu.
Related story: Chancellor Benham to step down from 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu
Since January 2017, Maenette has been a tireless advocate for the campus, with a deep commitment to Native Hawaiian values, academic excellence and student success. She expanded academic programs aligned with 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈’蝉 workforce needs (e.g., creative media, cyber operations, natural and health sciences, pre-nursing pathway with 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补) and has had great success growing extramural funding and philanthropic support.
Maenette’s leadership, rooted in aloha, haʻahaʻa (humility) and community, has fostered strong relationships across the 10-campus 糖心Vlog官方 System, state and Pacific region. As the first Native Hawaiian woman to lead a 糖心Vlog官方 campus, I particularly admire her work as a role model and mentor to young women and Native Hawaiians.
While Maenette’s presence will be deeply missed, we are fortunate to have her leadership until the end of the year. Details on the search for her successor will be announced when they are finalized. Please join me in expressing our heartfelt mahalo to Chancellor Benham for her exceptional service and dedication.
With gratitude and aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi