Rapoza appointed UH Hilo Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs

Kalei Rapoza

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin today announced the appointment of Kalei Rapoza as Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs following the July 20, 2023 UH Board of Regents meeting. Rapoza’s appointment takes effect July 21, 2023. He replaces Carla Ho`a, who resigned.

Rapoza was most recently UH Hilo Interim Director of Strategic Initiatives and Government Affairs, a position he held since January 2023. In that role, his primary duties included chief liaison and representative for the chancellor and other senior officials to the University community, direct legislative issues and proposals, and served as campus oversight for campus-level legal reviews. Prior to that, he was UH Hilo Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs from 2017-2022, Director of Human Resources from 2016-2017, and Associate Director of Human Resources from 2013-2016. Before joining UH Hilo, he was a Personnel Specialist – Labor Relations with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education from 2008-2013.

Rapoza received his B.S. in Family Resources from UH Mānoa, and his Juris Doctor from UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.

“We are indeed fortunate to have Kalei Rapoza join the senior leadership team as vice chancellor,” Irwin said. “His years of experience on campus and in the state will serve our campus well. Iʻm excited to get to work with our new team.”