University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided updates to the ����Vlog�ٷ� Board of Regents on state legislative measures on tuition and fee reserves during her monthly report at the board’s April 16 meeting at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Hensel noted that the Legislature continues to consider proposals related to tuition and fee reserve balances and that the university is developing reinvestment plans to strengthen advising and student support services and expand statewide online learning opportunities. She added that the university is having productive conversations with legislators and recognizes the challenges they face in balancing many urgent needs for Hawaiʻi’s people this year.

Her report also highlighted record breaking systemwide participation in ����Vlog�ٷ� Giving Day, which generated more than $1.3 million from more than 1,580 gifts across the 10 campuses.

Hensel concluded by congratulating the No. 6 ranked ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz� women’s water polo team on advancing to its third consecutive NCAA national championship tournament appearance after .

• Legislative update: tuition and fee reserves ()
• ����Vlog�ٷ� Giving Day breaks record ()
• Rainbow Wahine water polo ()

This week’s ����Vlog�ٷ� News Image of the Week is from ����Vlog�ٷ� ����ԴDz�.

Aloha Bash is on Friday! Students from all ����Vlog�ٷ� campuses are welcome, so featuring Grant Nakasone for more info! (No students were harmed in the making of this video.)

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Mōʻī Wahine
Cleaning up
Through the water
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A big mahalo to everyone who has sent in their images! If selected, they will be posted throughout the semester, so check back to see the amazing work, research and experiences of the ����Vlog�ٷ� ʻohana!

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For nearly 20 years, Rachel Hualani Loo has graced the Merrie Monarch stage on ��ōʻ����� night as an ʻō�����貹, or dancer, with Hālau o Kekuhi. This year, she returned to the Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium in a profoundly different role: as the 2026 ��ōʻī Wahine (Queen) of the Merrie Monarch Royal Court.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo alumna and the director of the , Loo has spent over a decade supporting Hawaiian students on their educational journeys. But when the Merrie Monarch Festival committee asked her to serve in this role, the weight of carrying this kuleana (responsibility) for her community felt different.

“Just to be included in all of this—not just the honor on an individual and personal level, but the real honor is continuing to be part of this community in a different capacity,” Loo expressed.

One of the most special things about being in Hilo during Merrie Monarch week is the opportunity to witness the community’s hospitality and ability to hoʻokipa, to host. Whether welcoming family, friends, or hālau hula, Hilo’s community shows up year after year to graciously welcome everyone. Growing up in Hilo and being part of the Merrie Monarch in different capacities has shaped Loo’s own commitment to this practice.

What the Merrie Monarch Festival and its stage represent isn’t lost on her. Loo recalled the words of her Kumu Hula Nālani Kanakaʻole Zane, whose legacy continues to permeate the festival: “She would remind us that this is the biggest stage for hula: an opportunity to share our language, culture, and dance in excellence. It’s an example of Hawaiian excellence at its highest level.”

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The University of Hawaiʻi accounted for more than $61.2 million—92% of all federal biomedical research funding awarded in the state from the (NIH)—in fiscal year 2025.

Hawaiʻi received $66.7 million overall in NIH funding, according to a new report from . The investment supported 902 jobs and generated $188.7 million in economic activity statewide.

NIH funding supports a wide range of research across ����Vlog�ٷ�, from improving disease detection and treatment to addressing health disparities and strengthening public health systems that serve island communities, reinforcing the university’s role in advancing health research and innovation in Hawaiʻi.

had the largest share, with 72 awards totaling $60.7 million, while the received two awards totaling $468,391. While overall funding remained strong, NIH’s shift to multi-year funding—which obligates the full grant value upfront—resulted in 5,564 fewer grants being funded in FY2025 compared to FY2024.

“Even in a highly competitive and uncertain federal funding environment, University of Hawaiʻi researchers continue to deliver work that improves lives here at home and beyond,” said Chad Walton, ����Vlog�ٷ� interim vice president for research and innovation. “These investments fuel discoveries, support high-quality jobs and strengthen our local economy. Every dollar makes a difference for our communities.”

Research highlights

Recent awards reflect the diversity of NIH-funded research at ����Vlog�ٷ�:

• $322,891 from the National Cancer Institute supports Shugeng Zhao Cao, professor at the at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo. The project, Discovery of novel natural TEAD inhibitors for the chemoprevention of liver tumors, explores natural compounds from Hawaiian microorganisms to develop the first preventive therapy for liver cancer.



• $2,039,744 from the National Human Genome Research Institute supports Lang Wu, associate professor at the at the ����Vlog�ٷ� Cancer Center. The research advances genomic tools and approaches to better understand complex diseases and support precision health applications. (Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story)
• $459,287 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases supports Youping Deng, professor at the . The project, Hawaii Advanced Training in Artificial Intelligence for Precision Nutrition Science Research, strengthens training in the use of artificial intelligence for nutrition and metabolic health research. (Related ����Vlog�ٷ� News story)

Gov. Josh Green appointed Keith Amemiya and Marie Laderta to the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR), subject to confirmation by the Hawaiʻi State Senate.

“Keith and Marie are exactly the kinds of leaders we need guiding the future of our ����Vlog�ٷ� system,” said Green. “Keith brings a deep understanding of the university from the inside, along with strong ties to our business and education communities. Marie has dedicated her career to public service and brings a wealth of experience in government operations and accountability. Together, they will help ensure ����Vlog�ٷ� continues to serve our students, strengthen our workforce and drive innovation across our state.”

Amemiya and Laderta replace regents Diane Paloma and William F. Haning III whose terms end in 2026.

Amemiya brings decades of leadership experience across Hawaiʻi’s legal, financial and education sectors. He currently serves as Senior Vice President at Central Pacific Bank and previously held leadership roles with Tradewind Group and the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association. Amemiya also has direct experience with the ����Vlog�ٷ� system, having served as executive administrator and secretary to the BOR.

“As a proud University of Hawaiʻi graduate, I’m honored to be nominated by Governor Green to the Board of Regents,” said Amemiya. “����Vlog�ٷ� is integral to the success of our state, especially our younger generations and I’m thus committed to best ensuring a strong higher educational system with opportunities for all if confirmed by the legislature.”

Laderta brings nearly three decades of public service experience in Hawaiʻi state government and the judiciary. She has served as deputy attorney general, deputy director of the Department of Taxation and Director of the Department of Human Resources Development. She currently serves on the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board, adjudicating workers’ compensation appeals.

“I am humbled and grateful to Governor Green for my appointment as regent to the ����Vlog�ٷ� system,” said Laderta. “I look forward to being given the opportunity to help steward higher education for the benefit of the institution, its students, faculty, employees and stakeholders.”

The BOR is responsible for overseeing the 10-campus ����Vlog�ٷ� system, including policy direction, financial oversight and long-term strategic planning. The BOR is the governing body of ����Vlog�ٷ� and consists of 11 non-compensated volunteer members. Representation includes five from the City and County of Honolulu; two from Hawaiʻi County; two from Maui County; one from Kauaʻi County and one ����Vlog�ٷ� student.

Amemiya and Laderta will serve terms as prescribed by law, pending Senate confirmation.

—Flying fish.

More ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Ka iʻa lele me he manu (The fish that flies like a bird).”
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) 1364

—Sean Mills, he haumāna ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language student), Kulanui Kaiāulu o Honolulu (Honolulu Community College)

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo .

A total of 127 University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo student-athletes have excelled in the classroom, earning academic honors for maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or higher through the end of the fall 2025 semester.

The Vulcans were honored at a reception at the ʻImiloa Astronomy Center Moanahoku Hall. Women’s volleyball senior Emerson Reinke served as this year’s scholar-athlete speaker.

Honorees came from a variety of majors and sports, including basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Read the full list of honorees at .

The Candidate Advisory Council (CAC) for the has presented a list of three candidates to Gov. Josh Green to fill one Hawaiʻi Island seat for a five-year appointment beginning July 1, 2026, subject to confirmation by the state Senate. The finalists are:

• Chad Cabral
• Makai Freitas
• Wendy Laros

Finalist biographies are available at the Candidate Advisory Council website (PDF).

“The Candidate Advisory Council members extend their sincere appreciation to all the individuals who took the time to apply to serve as a University of Hawaiʻi Regent,” said CAC Chair Brigitte Yoshino. “While the selection was difficult due to the quality of the candidates, we are pleased to submit these names for consideration to the governor and the state senate.”

Candidate lists are compiled after a comprehensive review and selection process, which is solely and exclusively merit-based and according to procedures set forth in state statutes and the council’s administrative rules.

The Board of Regents is the governing body of ����Vlog�ٷ� and consists of eleven (11) volunteer members. Representation includes five (5) from the City and County of Honolulu; two (2) from Hawaiʻi County; two (2) from Maui County; one (1) from Kauaʻi County; and one (1) ����Vlog�ٷ� student.

Members of the CAC serve voluntarily and are not paid.

All state and county offices on Oʻahu, including all University of Hawaiʻi campuses and facilities on Oʻahu, will be closed Friday, April 10, due to expected severe weather conditions. A decision regarding government offices and ����Vlog�ٷ� facilities in Maui County and Hawaiʻi County will be made early Friday morning.

The official announcements for Oʻahu were issued at 6:40 p.m., Thursday, April 9, by Gov. Josh Green and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi.

Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate a prolonged period of heavy rain through the morning and into the afternoon on Oʻahu, with the potential for flash flooding and possible power disruptions. Residents are strongly encouraged to limit travel unless absolutely necessary to allow emergency responders and utility crews to address weather-related impacts.

University leadership continues to monitor conditions closely and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Official County Notification

Conditions will vary by county and location. The most timely and location-specific alerts will come from the county where you live. Sign-up information for each county’s notification system is provided below:

• (Oʻahu)

You may also monitor these trusted sources for real-time weather updates:

• The app

����Vlog�ٷ� RAVE Alert System

For added safety, all ����Vlog�ٷ� students, faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up for mobile alerts through the ����Vlog�ٷ� RAVE Alert system to receive emergency notifications directly.