The remaining face mask requirements on University of Hawaiʻi campuses and properties will be lifted after Friday, September 16. Masks are currently required in classrooms, shared laboratory spaces and confined educational spaces in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within our community.

“Mahalo for all you have done to elevate our collective understanding of personal safety during this devastating pandemic,” said 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner in the September 9 email to the 10-campus system announcing the update. “You have demonstrated our capacity to look beyond ourselves and to care for others.”

The decision to lift the remaining mask requirements was based on the recommendation of 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health experts as well as the latest federal and state guidance. The rate of COVID-19 community transmission is no longer disrupting daily life. Most infections now are not life threatening, and many recover without hospitalization.

“糖心Vlog官方 will continue to remain highly vigilant, and COVID-19 restrictions may be quickly reinstated, if conditions change and warrant stronger measures,” said Lassner in the announcement.

Lassner also asked that everyone be respectful of an individual鈥檚 choice to continue to wear a face mask and abide by signs that may be posted outside individual offices requesting that masks be worn for the protection of others.

Masking is still strongly encouraged in crowded indoor spaces and required for those who have contracted the virus. More information can be found on the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on August 3, 2022.

In anticipation of the fall 2022 semester, and after consultation with our health advisors, the University of Hawaiʻi is updating the masking policy. Effective immediately:

Masking continues to be required indoors in:

• Classrooms
• Shared laboratory spaces
• Tightly confined educational spaces, such as advising offices

Masking is highly recommended in all other indoor settings on campuses.

Individual campuses may also require masking in other indoor and outdoor venues. Examples may include situations with large numbers of people in close proximity or where it is anticipated that high numbers of higher-risk persons will be attending. Masking requirements will be posted at such venues and events.

These masking guidelines will be in effect from now through the first month of classes—until September 19. We will be consulting with our health advisors throughout this time and will announce any changes by that date. Please continue to monitor your hawaii.edu email for updates.

The retention of this indoor masking requirement will help everyone safely begin the semester while all but one of our counties is at a “high” COVID-19 community level. This guidance also recognizes increasing face-to-face interaction this fall among students as well as employees who may have traveled recently from outside of the state.

As always, all members of the 糖心Vlog官方 community are expected to respect the individual choices of others to wear masks even where not required.

Please refer to the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines for more details on masking and other safety practices relating to protection of yourself and others from COVID-19.

Effective Wednesday, May 25, face masks are once again required indoors across the University of Hawaiʻi System, except when working alone or separated from others by 6 feet or more. Restoration of this practice, consistent with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, was recommended by 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health experts and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Health and affirmed by 糖心Vlog官方 leadership.

Reinstatement of the comprehensive indoor mask requirement will help prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus and better protect the health of students and employees as every county in the state but one is currently assessed to have a “high” level of COVID-19 community transmission by the CDC. Only Hawaiʻi County is still rated “medium.” The CDC also ranks the state as 4th highest in the nation with an average 7-day case rate of 495.9 cases per 100,000 people.

The indoor face mask requirement will remain in place and be re-evaluated when the level of COVID-19 transmission in the state decreases. All members of the 糖心Vlog官方 community should continue to monitor your hawaii.edu email and 糖心Vlog官方News.org for updates.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have been on campus or a 糖心Vlog官方 facility, immediately contact your respective COVID-19 Response Team (contact info for each 糖心Vlog官方 campus). Instructors can also inform the CRT with contact information of an individual. The 糖心Vlog官方 System follows the State Department of Health return-to-work guidance.

Do not report to a 糖心Vlog官方 campus or facility if any of these apply:

• You tested positive for COVID-19 and are on home isolation.
• You have new or worsening symptoms that could be COVID-19 and not attributable to a pre-existing condition.
• You are immunocompromised and are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual.
• You are not “up to date” with your vaccines and are a close contact of a COVID-19 positive individual. “Up to date” means you have received all COVID-19 vaccine doses for which you are eligible, e.g., the initial two shots and a booster.
• You must isolate for 5 days after the date of last exposure and may return on day 6 if you have not had a fever within the past 24 hours and your symptoms have significantly improved. When you return to campus, you must wear a well-fitted mask at all times and not eat or drink around others until the full 10 days have passed.
• You are subject to government-issued or a healthcare provider鈥檚 orders to quarantine.

Please continue to follow the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines except as described above regarding masking, and mahalo for your assistance in keeping our campus communities safe.

Beginning March 26, new guidelines will take effect at all University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 athletic events.

• LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 health check-in, and proof of COVID-19 vaccinations or negative tests are no longer required to enter athletic venues.
• Masks are optional in all athletic venues, however, are strongly encouraged in high capacity games.
• The 糖心Vlog官方 Ticket Office and entry gates for all athletic venues will open one hour prior to game time.

and mask requirements for indoor venues are still enforced through games on Friday, March 25.

For more information, visit the .

As of March 26, the University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system is indefinitely suspending the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policies for students and employees. Regular testing for COVID-19 will no longer be required of students and employees with approved vaccine exemptions. Testing will continue in the student residence halls until the end of the semester. A March 23 mail to the 10-campus system notified students, faculty and staff of the policy updates.

“The 糖心Vlog官方 Officers made the decision to suspend the policies based on guidance provided by the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Health and Wellbeing Working Group, a team of 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health experts,” stated the email signed by the 糖心Vlog官方 Officers, the leadership team with representation from the 10 campuses led by 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner. “The move reflects the latest COVID-19 guidance from the state and federal government.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vaccines have proven to be highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against severe illness caused by the COVID-19 virus. The combination of vaccinations, boosters and exposure to the virus has built up immunity locally and nationally, resulting in fewer COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths. The CDC strongly recommends everyone to get vaccinated, and to stay up to date with their vaccination.

Updated 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines take effect March 26

The latest update to the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines also take effect on March 26 and include the following requirements:

• Face masks indoors in classrooms, shared laboratories, other instructional spaces and tightly confined educational spaces. This includes advising offices and campus venues when the number of attendees is close to maximum capacity or if it is anticipated that high numbers of higher-risk persons will be attending (required until May 13, the end of the spring 2022 semester). Instructors or presenters may remove their masks while teaching, provided that they maintain 6 feet distance from others.
  • Campus officials may further specify areas where face masks are required to enhance safety.
• For those returning to campus after quarantine or isolation, face masks must be worn around others in all settings, for the remainder of the 10-day period.
• If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home and isolate for at least 5 days (until you are fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your symptoms are improving).
• Full or Up-to-date vaccination for employees and students in specific 糖心Vlog官方 programs or courses (i.e., medical, nursing, social work, dental hygiene, allied health, etc.) where they are embedded within partner institutions that require vaccination. Officers will determine which programs may require student, faculty, or patient vaccination status.

We strongly recommend that you stay home when feeling ill, whether with COVID-19 or not, to recover and prevent community spread.

No longer required

The following are no longer required as of March 26:

• The daily COVID-19 health screening via the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 health app.
• Face masks indoors (except as identified above)
• Face masks outdoors, including outdoor campus events.
• 糖心Vlog官方ors providing proof of vaccination or negative test results to access campus events.
• Uploading of negative tests for those students and employees with approved vaccine exemptions.
• Campuswide notification of positive COVID-19 cases reported on a 糖心Vlog官方 campus

“As we transition to personal responsibility for managing COVID-19 infections and exposures, individuals are strongly urged to report their cases/exposures to their designated campus official,” said the email.

糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines and related policies are subject to change depending on the status of the pandemic. 糖心Vlog官方 will continue to monitor the conditions in Hawaiʻi and implement mitigation measures, as needed. Those measures may include vaccination or testing, expanded requirements for mask wearing, etc. More information can be found on the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Dashboards and the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Response Based on CDC Community Level website.

Editor’s note: A new update was posted on March 23.

On March 26, 2022, the following updates to the University of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Guidelines for the 10-campus system will go into effect. The updates are based on recommendations by the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Health and Wellbeing Working Group, a team of 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health experts, and reflect the latest updates of local government COVID-19 restrictions and the high vaccination rates among 糖心Vlog官方 students, faculty and staff. The 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines are subject to change depending on the status of the pandemic.

Editor’s note: A new update was posted on March 23.

The following 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines are still required, at a minimum, for the remainder of the spring 2022 semester:

• Face masks must be worn indoors in classrooms, shared laboratories, other instructional spaces and tightly confined educational spaces (such as advising offices), as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Hawaiʻi Department of Health, given the increased density of people over long periods of time in these settings, and requirements for in-person attendance.
• Face masks must be worn by anyone who is positive or has symptoms of COVID-19, or who has been exposed to someone with the virus, for the duration of the isolation or quarantine period.
• Updated March 23: Students in student housing with a medical or religious exemption from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement must continue to submit proof of a negative COVID-19 test regularly to the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 app.

Editor’s note: A new update was posted on March 23.

The 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines no longer required as of March 26 include:

• The daily COVID-19 health screening via the Lumisight 糖心Vlog官方 health app.
• Face masks indoors except as identified above; face masks may be encouraged, but are not required in the following situations:
  • Common areas (hallways, stairwells, lobbies, bathrooms, etc), offices, eateries, libraries, bookstores, etc.
  • Indoor events such as commencement, athletic and performing arts events, campus tours and field trips.
    • While not required, event organizers may request continued masking if the number of attendees is close to the maximum capacity of the venue or based on anticipated high numbers of higher-risk persons attending.
  • Instructors while teaching, provided they maintain 6 feet distance from others.
• And outdoors, including outdoor campus events.
• 糖心Vlog官方ors providing proof of vaccination or negative test results to access campus events.

Editor’s note: A new update was posted on March 23.

The 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Health and Wellbeing Working Group and 糖心Vlog官方 leadership continue to strongly encourage everyone who is not up-to-date with a COVID-19 booster to receive their free vaccination as soon as they are eligible. Please respect an individual鈥檚 personal choice to wear a face mask outdoors and indoors where face masks are no longer required. Given the availability of free testing and home tests, we would strongly encourage people traveling out of State to test prior to returning to campus.

As 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner stated in his March 3 message, Hawaiʻi is entering a new stage of the pandemic, coexisting with COVID-19. The combination of vaccinations, boosters and exposure to the virus has built up immunity locally and nationally, and COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths are dropping. This change has led to a reduction in the need for government restrictions, including at 糖心Vlog官方, but through the rest of the semester, given the uniqueness of our learning environs and our state鈥檚 hospital capacity, we will continue essential precautionary measures as identified above.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has updated its guidelines for home athletic events. Effective March 4 through March 25, all attendees (with exception of children under the age of 5) must still provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to entry. Negative COVID-19 test results must be from an FDA approved, or FDA EUA approved, molecular or antigen test (home kits not allowed).

Either a vaccination card and/or negative test result must be uploaded to the . Note: It may take up to 24 hours for upload to be approved. All attendees ages 4 and older must have a valid event ticket or credential to gain admission. An event ticket is not required for children ages 3 and under as long as they do not occupy a seat and sit in the lap of their guardians.

In addition, masks are optional for outdoor sporting events. Masks are required for indoor sporting events, unless actively eating or drinking.

The LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 app is the fastest way to enter the venue. Fans without the app will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours, present an I.D. and verbally attest to a health questionnaire before entering the facility.

For more information on specific rules for each venue, visit the links below.

For the latest COVID-19 information for the 10-campus 糖心Vlog官方 System, see 糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner鈥檚 message on March 3.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on January 18, 2022.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 students, faculty and staff,

The COVID-19 Guidelines for the 10 campuses of the 糖心Vlog官方 System have been updated. The updates include the latest guidance to align with current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and guidelines.

Masks: Masks are still required at all times indoors on 糖心Vlog官方 campuses or facilities. KN95, KF94 or N95 masks are not required but encouraged where possible. Gaiters are not acceptable masks.

All masks should be well-fitted, which means the mask:

• Has a nose wire to crimp down on top of the nose
• Has at least 2 or more layers of washable fabric (for cloth masks)
• Covers both the nose and mouth entirely
• Fits snugly against the sides of your face without gaps

Masks are not required outdoors, but are strongly recommended when in crowded situations or where it is difficult to maintain physical distance. For more, see the Personal Safety Practices section.

Quarantine and isolation guidelines:

If you are up to date with your vaccinations, including a booster shot, you do not need to quarantine if you are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and are asymptomatic.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you must be isolated for a minimum of 5 days, regardless of vaccination status. If you are also symptomatic, you may return on day 6 if your symptoms are improving and you have had no fever for 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medicine.

For more information, see the Personal Safety Practices section of our COVID-19 policies

Boosters strongly recommended: While vaccination rates are high among the 糖心Vlog官方 community, as seen in the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Dashboards, we strongly recommend that everyone receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster as soon they become eligible. Emerging evidence shows that boosters are effective in preventing serious illness and hospitalization from all circulating variants. Those who have received a booster can also avoid quarantine if identified as a close contact of someone who tests positive.

To schedule a booster dose and for more information, visit the

Mahalo for your patience and resilience,
The University of Hawaiʻi Office of Communications

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on January 18, 2022.

Aloha,

Spring 2022 courses that were shifted online for the first two weeks of the semester will remain online for one more week and return to their originally scheduled course delivery mode (in-person or hybrid) on Monday, January 31.

On December 28, we announced that many courses were moved online because of the surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. While we are cautiously optimistic that COVID-19 hospitalizations in Hawaiʻi are starting to plateau, we experienced the highest case count of the pandemic today, and believe that it is prudent to allow the online shift to continue for one extra week. We do not expect to revisit the January 31 restart date, which is consistent with many other higher education institutions.

We urge you to use this additional week as an opportunity to get your booster shot if you are eligible. Booster shots are widely available at pharmacies throughout the state, and administrative leave is available for employees. Per the most recent CDC guidance, getting a booster to bring your vaccination status “up to date,” is the only way to avoid quarantine if you are exposed. The CDC has stated that you are considered to be up-to-date immediately upon receiving the booster shot, which has proven effective in reducing transmission, hospitalizations and deaths.

All classes presently meeting in-person should continue to do so. Essential programs and services for students and employees will continue to be accessible in-person as well as online. Faculty who are teaching classes online now that are scheduled to meet in person can opt to begin in-person instruction on January 24, with no formal approval required. However, these faculty need to contact their students as soon as possible to provide information about how students who cannot attend class or may have delayed their return to campus can participate.

Our COVID-19 advisory team of 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health professionals with campus leaders from across the system considered this decision very carefully. We believe that Hawaiʻi is at a turning point as the COVID-19 pandemic moves toward endemicity, and we learn to live with the virus. For most of us, this change is ultimately a welcome step forward. However, this transition is also causing anxiety and requires adjustment for many in our community.

We believe that providing this clear direction of our plan for one additional week online, while urging that everyone eligible get their booster shot, will best move us all forward together.

Even as Hawaiʻi sees record numbers of positive cases, the state鈥檚 hospitalization rates are thankfully remaining manageable. 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 10 campuses have extremely high vaccination rates among students and employees, which can now be tracked on the 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 dashboards.

The requirements for vaccination, soon to include booster shots for future semesters, or regular testing for those with approved exemptions, along with the updated 糖心Vlog官方 COVID-19 Guidelines will create a safe environment for our students, faculty and staff. Our guidelines include mandatory face masks when indoors and daily health screenings via the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 app.

Please continue to monitor your hawaii.edu email for more information from your campus and the system. Send your questions to COVID19@hawaii.edu and please include your home campus, which will expedite the response time.

We have persevered through this unprecedented health crisis for nearly two years now. We can now foresee moving past COVID-19 as a university-wide health crisis in 2022. We have learned through this pandemic, and no doubt more lessons are ahead. But we can finally look forward to the time in our near future where we can really be together again.

E m膩lama pono,
David Lassner
糖心Vlog官方 President

The 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi will temporarily move many spring 2022 in-person courses to an online delivery for the first two weeks of the semester because of the record surge of COVID-19 cases in Hawaiʻi due to the highly contagious Omicron variant. The first day of spring semester classes remains Monday, January 10 with a full return to scheduled course delivery on Monday, January 24.

糖心Vlog官方 President David Lassner made the announcement in an email to students, faculty and staff of the 糖心Vlog官方 System. 糖心Vlog官方 joins dozens of other colleges and universities from across the country that are temporarily moving courses online to start the spring semester.

• Read campus messages:
  • 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo
  • 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补
  • 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu
  • Kapiʻolani CC
  • Leeward CC
  • Windward CC
  • More campus messages will be added

The announcement stated that only courses that can be “effectively taught online” will be impacted. Many lab sections, clinical experiences, Career and Technical Education (CTE) shop courses and studios will continue to be taught safely in-person, which includes physical distancing, wearing masks indoors, daily health screenings and other measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Each campus will determine which courses will be moved online based on considerations including COVID-19 conditions in the area, density of student populations in classrooms, number of students who will be traveling back to campus and instructional needs to keep all students on track to graduate. Students and employees are encouraged to monitor announcements from their campus leaders for campus specific information.

“We are not changing course modalities but merely making this adjustment to maximize the safety of our campuses including those who may be returning from another island or farther,” said Lassner in the announcement. “We are disappointed to take this action but believe it is appropriate to protect the health and safety of our students and employees.”

糖心Vlog官方 campuses will remain open during the two week period, including residence halls at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, and on-campus services which will remain available during normally scheduled hours.

Lassner also urged everyone to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot as soon as they are eligible, typically six months after the final dose. He said that planning is underway to make booster shots part of the 糖心Vlog官方 vaccination requirement for students and employees.

As of January 3, all 糖心Vlog官方 students and employees are required to be fully vaccinated OR have a university approved medical or religious exemption. Those with an approved exemption are required to regularly submit proof of a negative test to the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 daily health check app. Students who are 100% online are the only exception to the vaccine requirements.

To be on a 糖心Vlog官方 campus, you must receive an all-clear from the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 app, which means you have verified vaccination information, or have an approved exemption and a verified negative test result when you complete the daily health screening. Everyone is also required to wear face masks when indoors and when outdoors near others.

Campus messages

Most classes to start online at 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo students, faculty, and staff,

I hope you have enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating break with family and friends and are excited to return to 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo for the spring semester. As President Lassner shared in his recent message, we have been closely monitoring the pandemic conditions here in Hawaiʻi. At 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, we are paying particular attention to the increase in COVID-19 cases on Hawaiʻi Island. The 糖心Vlog官方 System health and wellness team has been in contact with federal, state, and county officials, as well as our local hospitals. While it appears that the Omicron variant may produce lower levels of severe illness than other strains, we are still concerned about the capacity of 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 healthcare systems, given many more active infections and the large numbers of unvaccinated individuals across the state and island.

We will begin the spring semester with two weeks of online instruction. We are making this change in part because of the continued uncertainty about the Omicron variant, but primarily because of our concern for our students as they return to campus. Those students who test positive over the holiday break will need to isolate and would miss the first week of in-person classes. Those who are returning to Hawaiʻi Island for the start of the semester and test positive upon arrival would miss the first several days of in-person classes. Thus, we are making the decision now to do online instruction for the first two weeks of the spring semester in order to minimize possible disruption to student learning, and to give our employees, students and their families as much advance notice as possible. Clinical courses which have multiple COVID protocols in place may continue with face-to-face instruction, but I ask faculty to be accommodating for students who may have to miss class due to a positive test result or isolation requirement (pharmacy, teacher education [in both the School of Education or Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani], and nursing students should expect more specific information from their programs shortly). While students may opt to change their plans for travel back to Hilo, we will be ready to welcome you back for the January 10 start of the term, and the residence halls and dining service will remain open.

While instruction will move online for a period of time, in-person services for students and employees will continue with all the necessary health and safety protocols in place. We have extended the COVID-19 telework policy through the end of January, and I ask supervisors to continue with whatever rotations that they have had in place during the fall term. For this two week period, if appropriate for the position and office, supervisors may allow student employees in the state of Hawaiʻi to telework as well.

In-person instruction for face-to-face and hybrid courses will resume on January 24, by which time we expect a downturn in Omicron COVID cases.

I encourage all who are eligible (6 months after second Pfizer or Moderna, 2 months after Johnson & Johnson) to get their vaccine boosters. We will continue to have testing and boosters available every Friday on campus. The 糖心Vlog官方 System may very well mandate boosters before the end of the term because we want to keep our campuses as safe as possible, and vaccines remain the best way to minimize transmission and serious symptoms. Remember that we are requiring vaccines of everyone without an approved exemption.

If you have traveled over the break, please consider getting tested upon return to Hawaiʻi Island and maintain your distance from others while awaiting results. (In addition to Friday campus testing, which resumes on January 7, the County of Hawaiʻi also has many testing sites.)

As a campus, we have been vigilant about masking, testing, and distancing, and we will have to continue to do so in order to ensure that 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo is a safe place for our ʻohana to learn and work. Please keep up the good work!

Bonnie D. Irwin
Chancellor

惭腻苍辞补 to be online for first two weeks of spring semester

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 on December 28, 2021.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 students, faculty and staff,

I am writing to update you on our plans for the spring semester. As stated in President Lassner鈥檚 December 28 message, 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 10 campuses will be temporarily online for the first two weeks of the spring 2022 semester. We have been closely monitoring the pandemic conditions here in Hawaiʻi, with particular attention to the increase in COVID-19 cases and the uptick in hospitalizations. Our health and wellness professionals have been in constant contact with federal, state, and city and county officials, as well as our hospital systems. While evidence continues to emerge that the Omicron variant may produce lower levels of severe illness than prior variants, we remain concerned about the potential stress on Hawaiʻi鈥檚 healthcare systems, given many more active infections and the large numbers of unvaccinated individuals across the state. Our approach continues to place the health of our community as the highest priority.

Our decision to begin the spring semester with two weeks of online instruction is partially due to the continued uncertainty about the Omicron variant, but primarily motivated by our concern for our students and staff as they return to campus. Those who test positive during the holiday break will need to isolate and would miss the first week of in-person classes. Those who are returning to Oʻahu for the start of the semester and test positive upon arrival would also miss the first two weeks of in-person classes. Thus, we are making the decision now to move to online instruction for the first two weeks of the spring semester in order to minimize possible disruption to student learning and to give our employees, students and their families as much advance notice as possible.

While most instruction will shift online for a limited period of time, our campus will remain open. University operations will continue, including support services for students and employees. Students who choose to be on campus physically are welcomed. The residence halls are open, and our critical research and service activities continue, all with the necessary health and safety protocols in place. The COVID-19 telework policy has been extended through the end of January, and we expect that all high-risk employees will take advantage of this extension and remain safe as we navigate the coming month.

In summary:

1. All classes, with some exceptions, will begin in an online modality on January 10. In-person classroom instruction is scheduled to begin on January 24. Some essential in-person instruction (e.g., clinical skills, some laboratory and other hands-on instruction and training) will remain in-person. Those programs will be in contact with their students and will accommodate students who cannot join us in-person during this two-week period.
2. We strongly encourage all employees and students to get a COVID-19 booster shot if you have not already done so. Full vaccination plus a booster is your most effective defense against the Omicron variant, and it will significantly improve our chances of having a successful, healthy return to in-person instruction and campus activities.
3. While students may choose to change their travel plans, this is not required. You are welcome to return to Oʻahu and to our residence halls, if you are an on-campus resident, as long as you are healthy.
4. All other operations of the university are not affected. With the very high rate of vaccination among students and employees, coupled with our mask requirement, we consider the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 workplaces to be as safe an environment as any on Oʻahu. Supervisors should ensure that all essential face-to-face services are provided while also considering the need to accommodate requests for COVID-19 telework to the extent necessary to protect the health of our employees.
5. Please get tested 3鈥�5 days after returning from any travel. If possible, employees should work from home while awaiting test results. Students should limit exposure to others while awaiting test results.

We will continue to get through the pandemic united in our care for each other.

Mahalo,
Michael S. Bruno, Provost

糖心Vlog官方WO to temporarily move many spring 2022 in-person courses to online delivery

Aloha mai 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu ʻOhana!

The 糖心Vlog官方 System COVID-19 Policies & Practices group has been closely monitoring the pandemic conditions here in Hawaiʻi, with particular attention to the increase in COVID-19 cases and the uptick in hospitalizations. This group is informed by our health and wellness professionals who are in constant contact with federal, state, and city and county officials, as well as our hospital systems. While evidence continues to emerge that the Omicron variant may produce lower levels of severe illness than prior variants, we remain concerned about the potential stress on 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 healthcare systems, given many more active infections and the large numbers of unvaccinated individuals across the state. Our approach continues to place the health of our community as the highest priority.

That said, 糖心Vlog官方 Officers met and on Tuesday, Dec. 28, President Lassner sent a message to all 糖心Vlog官方 community members that stated:

After much discussion, we are announcing that in-person classes that can be effectively taught online will be temporarily shifted to electronic delivery for the first two weeks of the semester. We are not changing course modalities but merely making this adjustment to maximize the safety of our campuses during the expected peak… All 糖心Vlog官方 campuses will remain open…

You can read that message at:
/news/2021/12/28/online-first-two-weeks-of-spring-2022-instruction/

We are making this change in part because of the continued uncertainty about the Omicron variant, but primarily because of our concern for our students as they return to campus. Those students who test positive over the holiday break will need to isolate and could miss the first week of in-person classes. Those who are returning to Oʻahu for the start of the semester and test positive upon arrival would miss the first two weeks of in-person classes. Thus, we are making the decision now to do online instruction for the first two weeks of the spring semester in order to minimize possible disruption to student learning, and to give our employees, students, and their families as much advance notice as possible.

There are courses that require in-person attendance. Fortunately we have learned how to safely offer our on-campus, in-person classes employing LumiSight verification, masking, and physical distancing. We will still be able to hold in-person courses, e.g., lab sections, clinical or hands-on learning experiences, studios, and so on, all with the necessary health and safety protocols in place. Determination of which course sections will be held on campus will be made by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

In summary:

1. All classes will begin in an online modality on Jan. 10. In-person classroom instruction is scheduled to begin on Jan. 24.
2. Students who are registered for course sections that will begin in person will be notified.
3. We strongly encourage all employees and students to get a COVID-19 booster shot if you have not already done so. That is your most effective defense against the Omicron variant, and it will significantly improve our chances of having a successful, healthy return to in-person instruction and campus activities.
4. All other operations of the university are not affected. With our very high rate of vaccination among students and employees, coupled with our mask requirement, we consider 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu workplaces to be as safe an environment as any on Oʻahu. Supervisors should ensure that all essential face-to-face services are provided while also considering the need to accommodate requests for COVID-19 telework to the extent necessary to protect the health of our employees.
5. Please get tested 3–5 days after returning from any travel. If possible, employees should work from home while awaiting test results. Students should limit exposure to others while awaiting test results.
6. If you are on campus and end up testing positive, please inform the 糖心Vlog官方 West Oʻahu COVID-19 Response Team at covidwo@hawaii.edu or (808) 689-2525.

Within the next few days, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Jeff Moniz will provide more information to all instructional faculty and staff regarding both online and in-person instruction during the first two weeks of the spring 2022 semester. During the week of Jan. 3, 2022, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jan Javinar will provide information regarding the start of the spring session to students and student support staff.

We look forward to seeing you very soon! Until then, we wish you and your ʻohana a safe and joy-filled New Year celebration!

E mālama pono!
Chancellor Maenette Benham

Some Leeward classes to move online for first two weeks of spring 2022

Aloha Students,

As you have probably read President Lassner鈥檚 recent message, some courses originally scheduled for in-person instruction, starting January 10, may transition to online for the first two weeks of the semester, as a result of the COVID surge we are experiencing. You will be notified by next week if your course will experience a modality shift, so please be sure to check your 糖心Vlog官方 email for any updates.

Aloha,
Keala Chock
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Class modality for the first two weeks of school

Aloha mai kākou,

I hope you are all well and enjoying the winter break. To promote the health and safety of our University of Hawaiʻi community, President Lassner has encouraged classes scheduled for hybrid and face-to-face modes to be delivered fully online for the first two weeks of instruction, through January 23, 2022.

Instructors have been encouraged to reach out to you regarding class plans so that you may prepare for the start of the semester. Please frequently check your hawaii.edu email and Laulima notifications to see how your instructors plan to offer the first two weeks of classes.

I hope you were able to rest and rejuvenate over this break and are ready for a great spring semester!!

Best Regards,
Jennifer Brown

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 28, 2021.

Aloha to all during this holiday season during which COVID-19 continues to throw us wrinkles.

With the explosive emergence of the , Hawaiʻi is experiencing another major surge in COVID-19 cases, and we have had significant clusters associated with 糖心Vlog官方 as well. Fortunately, neither 糖心Vlog官方 nor our communities are experiencing the truly alarming levels of illness and hospitalizations associated with previous surges. However, the case counts are extremely worrisome and 糖心Vlog官方 leadership has been in regular conversation with our internal experts and others as we have monitored the COVID-19 numbers and models.

After much discussion, we are announcing that in-person classes that can be effectively taught online will be temporarily shifted to electronic delivery for the first two weeks of the semester. We are not changing course modalities but merely making this adjustment to maximize the safety of our campuses during the expected peak, including with those who may be returning from another island or farther. All 糖心Vlog官方 campuses will remain open, including residence halls at 糖心Vlog官方 Mānoa and 糖心Vlog官方 Hilo, and on-campus services will remain available during normally scheduled hours.

We know that many courses require in-person attendance. Fortunately, over the past year and a half we have learned much about physical distancing and how to offer our lab sections, clinical experiences, Career and Technical Education (CTE) shop courses and studios safely under COVID-19 conditions. Determinations of which sections will move online for these first two weeks of the spring semester will be made on our campuses based on local considerations including COVID-19 conditions in the area, density of student populations in classrooms, number of students who will be traveling back to campus and instructional needs to keep all students on track to graduate. Look for more specific announcements from each campus in the next day or so.

We are disappointed to take this action but believe it is appropriate to protect the health and safety of our students and employees. Based on the best information available, a full return to the published modalities of instruction for all courses on January 24, 2022 should be safe for all.

We also urge all our students and employees to get their booster shot as soon as they are eligible, typically 6 months after the 2nd dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. We are encouraged by the high vaccination rates among our students and employees across the 糖心Vlog官方 System and we are now making plans to include booster shots upon eligibility as part of the definition of what it means to be “fully vaccinated.”

We hope this information helps you with your planning, and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus next month.

Best wishes for the New Year鈥攎ay it be safe and healthy for all!

E mālama pono,
David Lassner

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has been within the program. As a result, the Rainbow Warriors鈥� Big West home opener versus University of California Davis (UCD) on December 30 has been canceled.

Last week it was announced that 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 home game on January 1 versus UC Riverside (UCR) was canceled due to COVID issues within the Highlanders鈥� program.

Both games against UCD and UCR have been deemed a no contest. The length of 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 pause is yet to be determined.

Ticket refund information

At the end of the 2021–22 regular season, season ticket holders will be given the option to receive a prorated refund, or a prorated credit for any home games canceled this season. Credit will be applied to their 2022–23 season ticket purchase.

Individual game ticket purchasers will receive a refund or will be given the option to exchange for another men’s basketball regular season home game this season.

For questions, contact the 糖心Vlog官方 Ticket Office at (808) 956-4482.

Due to COVID-19 issues within the program and along with season-ending injuries and transfers, the will not be able to participate in the EasyPost Hawaiʻi Bowl against the University of Memphis.

“We are disappointed our season has to end this way,” Head Coach Todd Graham said. “As competitive as we are and as much as we want to play the game, we cannot put the health and safety of our student-athletes at risk.”

糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 Athletics Director David Matlin added, “The health and safety of our student-athletes is the most important part of this decision. The recent surge in COVID-19 cases has forced us to not participate in the game. We are disappointed for our players, coaches and fans. ESPN and the EasyPost Hawaiʻi Bowl staff did everything they could for us and we appreciate their valiant effort throughout the week. We want to thank the Memphis Tigers for making the long trip to Hawaiʻi. We are disappointed we can鈥檛 compete on the football field.”

The EasyPost Hawaiʻi Bowl was scheduled for Friday, December 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. It was supposed to be 糖心Vlog官方鈥檚 10th appearance in the game.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 21, 2021.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 employees,

The current University of Hawaiʻi COVID-19 Telework Policy has been extended through January 31, 2022. Although initially announced that the policy would expire on December 31, it will now remain in place for an additional month to allow more time for the administration to evaluate voluntary telework requests under the new 糖心Vlog官方 Telework Policy & Guidelines announced December 13.

The new 糖心Vlog官方 Telework Policy & Guidelines will take effect as scheduled on January 3, 2022, along with the 2022 Employee COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy and the 2022 COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination for Students Policy. While the administration is reviewing telework requests, with decisions anticipated in January, all employees are expected to be in compliance with the 2022 mandatory vaccination policy starting January 3.

The 糖心Vlog官方 Telework Policy & Guidelines are intended to apply to all 糖心Vlog官方 employees; however, there are a few exceptions. At this time, 糖心Vlog官方 employees in bargain units (BUs) 2, 3, 4 and 9 fall under the State of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the State and HGEA entered into on June 15, 2010. If you are in one of these BUs and want to request telework, the required documentation can be found in the State of Hawaiʻi Telework Program Guidelines.

Additionally, there are some types of work that 糖心Vlog官方 recognizes may not be suitable for teleworking, such as work more typically performed by our BU 1 employees.

糖心Vlog官方 employees can review the policy and FAQs on the Office of Human Resources website:

• 糖心Vlog官方 Telework Policy & Guidelines
• Telework FAQs

Mahalo nui loa for your time and patience,
糖心Vlog官方 Office of Human Resources

Editor’s note: Christmas Eve and New Year驶s Eve are observed holidays since both Christmas and New Year鈥檚 Days land on a Saturday. 糖心Vlog官方 faculty and staff DO NOT have to request vacation time for Christmas Eve or New Year鈥檚 Eve. The message from Friday, December 17 had mistakenly stated otherwise.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 17, 2021.

Aloha,

As we end a year that, once again, threw us for surprise after surprise, I want to thank you all for your amazing efforts to ensure a successful semester! We continued to provide a remarkable University of Hawaiʻi education for our students while conducting world-class research addressing the challenges and opportunities facing Hawaiʻi and the planet.

After an explosive Delta surge slowed down our pandemic recovery, we enjoyed a period of relative calm through much of the fall. Unfortunately, we are once again seeing dramatically increasing case numbers across the islands, including in younger individuals. Given what is happening in the communities in which we are embedded it is not unexpected that we have also had several small clusters within our 糖心Vlog官方 campuses, including travel-related.

We generally see surges in case counts after holidays and times of celebration, but we are already seeing these increases now. However, unlike last year at this time, we now have it within our power to prevent major surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. The single most important step you can take is to get vaccinated and if you are already vaccinated, then get a booster shot. Vaccinations and boosters are available throughout the state at no cost to persons age 16 or older. Locations and times are available at .

In addition to getting vaccinated and boosted, please, please exercise restraint at all in-person gatherings and holiday celebrations. Continue to wear a mask when indoors, or outside near others, except when actively eating and drinking. And then mask up again when you are done eating. Remember that outdoors is always safer than indoors and this is an advantage we all can enjoy in Hawaiʻi. Another important way to protect yourself and the community is to get your flu shot, which you can do at the same time you get your COVID-19 booster. And if you experience any symptoms at all please isolate yourself and get tested.

It is also recommended that you avoid any unnecessary travel given the additional risks posed. If you do travel, be especially cautious. You should test for COVID-19 immediately after a trip and then again 3-5 days later. Information on free testing in Hawaiʻi is available at: . Or you can use an inexpensive rapid antigen self-test at home.

Best wishes to all of you and your families and friends for a relaxing, rewarding, healthy and safe holiday season. I look forward to seeing you back on a 糖心Vlog官方 campus next year!

Aloha,
David Lassner
糖心Vlog官方 President

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 14, 2021.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 ʻohana,

Congratulations on completing the fall 2021 semester! For those traveling out of state for the holidays, please be mindful of your campus community, especially as we are set for a full return to on-campus instructions and activities in spring 2022.

Travel is one of the main causes of surges in COVID-19 cases according to health officials, and the Omicron variant may be the most contagious yet.

Everyone traveling is strongly encouraged to get the COVID-19 booster, as soon as possible. .

To show your aloha and provide kokua for your fellow 糖心Vlog官方 ʻohana, as soon as you arrive back in Hawaiʻi, take a COVID-19 test and a follow up test four or five days after your arrival, even if you are fully vaccinated.

Please practice basic COVID-19 prevention tips including wearing masks while indoors, monitoring yourself for symptoms and exposure, and staying home if you’re sick.

If you live in student housing, be sure to follow all of your campus鈥� travel protocols before departure and upon your return to campus.

Happy Holidays and New Year!
糖心Vlog官方 Office of Communications

students, faculty and staff had an opportunity to get their questions answered and hear more about plans for the spring 2022 semester at a live, two-hour forum hosted by Provost Michael Bruno on December 10. He was joined by Lee Buenconsejo-Lum, 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 professor and associate dean for academic affairs.

The forum at the Digital Studios in the Sinclair Student Success Center was moderated by Moanikeʻala Nabarro and livestreamed on the . Topics covered included COVID-19 vaccinations and exemptions, policies and enforcement, campus life and more.

This was Bruno鈥檚 fourth livestream forum to the 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 community since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 on Dec 1, 2021.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 students, faculty, and staff,

As referenced in President Lassner鈥檚 message today, the 惭腻苍辞补 campus will move to full capacity for operations in January. We had previously announced on October 11, that we would open to full capacity in classrooms, labs, and other learning spaces as well as offices and meeting rooms.

The recent changes in the State and Honolulu County restrictions related to COVID-19, supports our direction and gives us the opportunity to make changes at 糖心Vlog官方 惭腻苍辞补 that could become effective starting today, December 1. Spaces that previously had restricted capacity to allow for physical distancing will now be allowed to operate at full capacity. However, it is important to note that some operations will need to increase staff in order to provide expanded services, which may take some time.

Other COVID-19 prevention measures such as wearing face masks indoors and being compliant with LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 are still required to help keep our campus and the larger community safe. You may have heard or read about the emergence of the in other countries and the U.S. The CDC and our health leaders across the state are closely monitoring this evolving situation. As international travel to and from Hawaiʻi continues to increase, we must not let our guard down. Mahalo for your continued efforts to keep us all safe.

Full-capacity spaces

Effective December 1, additional locations such as dining halls, the Warrior Rec Center, theatres, museums and public gatherings can begin to move to full capacity. There will be some locations that will continue limited operations through the end of the calendar year, such as Paradise Palms and the Bookstore. Please check with the facility that you are interested in using as it may have to make staffing adjustments before fully opening.

Face masks required indoors

糖心Vlog官方 continues to require that individuals wear face masks when indoors. If you are outdoors you will not be required to wear a mask, but we encourage you to do so when in close proximity to others.

Athletic events

Our athletic events, which were already cleared for full capacity, will now include open concessions. However, we need to maintain safety precautions because of the increased risk of transmitting virus鈥攃rowded spaces, yelling/shouting, and not wearing a mask when eating or drinking.

• All fans 2 years of age or older will have to wear masks, except when they are actively eating and drinking for both indoor and outdoor events. This is consistent with and is important to protect those younger than 5 who are not eligible for vaccination, kupuna, and those with serious health conditions who are at high risk for getting severely ill or hospitalized from COVID-19. Many families in Hawaiʻi have , so wearing masks indoors is important to reduce transmission, especially with upcoming holiday gatherings.
• All fans 5 years of age or older who are not fully vaccinated will need to show proof of a negative test taken within two days (48 hours) of the event. The negative test result should be uploaded to the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 app as soon as the result is obtained.
• Children under 5 years old do not need to be tested or vaccinated to attend.

Fans will need to upload their proof of vaccination to the app at least three days prior to the event. Fans will be required to show their green 鈥淵ou may report to campus鈥� status with the current date on the LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 daily health check app to enter the SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center for volleyball matches and basketball games.

As our community and campus get back to pre-pandemic gathering sizes, we thank you, in advance, for remaining vigilant in remembering that COVID-19 remains in our midst. We are healthier because of all of the precautions you have selflessly taken, and we are confident that we can continue to keep each other safe—together!

糖心Vlog官方 Office of Communications

This message was shared with the faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on December 1, 2021.

Aloha 糖心Vlog官方 students, faculty and staff,

You have likely seen recent announcements of changes in the State and County restrictions related to COVID-19. Some of these changes may take effect today, December 1. Of particular note, some spaces that had previously restricted capacity to allow for physical distancing may be able to move back to full capacity either now or in the very near future.

We had already announced that 糖心Vlog官方 would open to full capacity in classrooms, labs and other learning spaces as well as offices and meeting rooms starting next year. Based on the recent announcements, however, additional locations such as dining halls, gyms, theatres, exhibits and other public gatherings on some campuses are now authorized to return to full capacity as soon as December 1. While we expect that some eligible locations may transition back to full capacity during the month of December, please check with your campus websites for up-to-date information on availability of specific facilities.

Other COVID-19 protection measures such as wearing face masks indoors and maintaining compliance with health requirements through LumiSight 糖心Vlog官方 will remain in place. 糖心Vlog官方 will continue to require that individuals wear face masks when indoors. If you are outdoors you will not be required to wear a mask, but we encourage you to do so when in close proximity to others.

You have almost certainly seen news of the emergence of the in other countries. The WHO, CDC and our own Hawaiʻi health leaders are closely monitoring this evolving situation. There are no specific changes in response to Omicron at this time, but please be assured that we are actively monitoring its impact and any associated changes in recommendations at the national and/or state level. So please remain cautious as we “return” to the new normal.

Mahalo for your continued efforts to keep our 糖心Vlog官方 campuses and our communities safe!

E m膩lama pono,
David Lassner

The University of Hawaiʻi announced a mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination Policy for employees that will be effective January 3, 2022. Under the new policy, all 糖心Vlog官方 employees, including those who are teleworking, will be required to be fully vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus OR have an approved medical or religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Students are also required to be fully vaccinated OR have an approved exemption by January 3, 2022 to be on a 糖心Vlog官方 campus or property. They are required to have their final dose of the vaccine before they are able to register for in-person classes for the spring 2022 semester. Spring registration begins in early November.

The new employee policy states: “the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States are highly effective at preventing COVID-19, as well as at preventing serious illness even in those who do contract COVID-19. A fully vaccinated campus community enables the best opportunity for a healthy return to high-quality face-to-face teaching, learning and research.”

“The policy is based on the latest federal and state guidance and made in consultation with the 糖心Vlog官方 President COVID-19 Team and the 糖心Vlog官方 Health and Well-Being working group, made up of 糖心Vlog官方 medical and public health experts,” according to an email sent to employees from the 糖心Vlog官方 Office of Human Resources (OHR).

The policy will replace the COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Policy adopted August 23, 2021 that is effective through January 2, 2022. Employees who do not comply will be subject to progressive discipline, up to and including discharge. Those employees who are partially vaccinated as of January 3, 2022, will be required to provide a regular negative test result until two weeks after their final shot.

Employees who receive an approved medical or religious exemption from COVID-19 vaccination will be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test weekly for a PCR test or every three days for an Antigen test. Employees seeking medical or religious exemptions related to the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy should inquire with their human resources office.

The OHR website has been updated with additional guidance related to the January 3 policy.

• Employee information related to the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy
• Supervisor information related to the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy