The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved the creation of a permitted interaction group at its September 18 meeting to examine possible changes to the UH System’s leadership structures, which oversee the 10 campuses statewide. The decision came after a presentation by UH President Wendy Hensel outlining the opportunities and challenges of restructuring the 10-campus system.
The options under consideration include separating UH Mānoa leadership from the UH System, as the UH President currently oversees both the system and non-academic functions at UH Mānoa, and integrating the community colleges more fully with the other three four-year campuses under systemwide administration.
The State of Hawaiʻi’s Sunshine Law governing open public meetings allows a public board to appoint a group consisting of less than a quorum of its members to investigate matters for the board. After the group undertakes its assigned task, its findings and recommendations must be presented to the board at a public meeting, and the board cannot act on any recommendations until a subsequent public meeting.
The regents appointed to the group are Vice Chair Mike Miyahira, Vice Chair Joshua Faumuina, Regent Neil Abercrombie, Regent Diane Paloma, and Regent Laurie Tochiki.
Maunakea permitted interaction group
In August, the regents approved another permitted interaction group to investigate the status of the transition of Maunakea stewardship from UH to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, by July 1, 2028, pursuant to Act 255 (2021). The members of that group are Vice Chair Miyahira, Regent Wayne Higaki, Chair Gabe Lee, Regent Abercrombie and Regent Lauren Akitake.
