This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on January 12, 2026.
Aloha UH ʻohana,
As a new semester and new years begins, our 10 campuses are once again filled with energy, purpose and possibility. This moment, when classrooms reopen, projects restart and goals come into focus, offers a chance to reset and remember why our work matters to our students, our communities and these islands.
For me, it always starts and ends with our students. Your wellbeing, your experience at UH and your success beyond graduation guide our decisions and priorities. The world you are entering is changing rapidly, and our responsibility is to prepare you not just to navigate it, but to shape it.
None of this would be possible without our faculty, staff and administrators, those who teach, advise, mentor and support our students every day, and who make our 10-campus system work. The past year has brought a lot of change, some beyond our control and some of our own making, and I am deeply grateful for your openness, candor and commitment to continuous improvement. Your feedback, especially constructive feedback, ensures we stay on the right path.
Inaugural 10-campus system address
As I complete my first year as president, it is time for me to report back to all of you. I invite you to tune in Wednesday, January 14 at 5 p.m. to a livestream of my inaugural 10-Campus System Address, an annual event moving forward. I will share a recap of 2025, highlight successes and challenges and outline where we are headed in 2026. This is part of my commitment to transparency and accountability with my most important stakeholders: all of you. The livestream information will be sent out later this week.
Looking ahead
As this semester unfolds, I encourage each of us to step outside our comfort zones. For students, that may mean joining a club, attending a campus event for the first time or trying something new. For faculty and staff, it may mean exploring new approaches, building partnerships or participating in initiatives that move our system forward. Progress is built on curiosity, connection and shared purpose.
Here’s to a semester grounded in curiosity, care and collective progress.
With aloha,
Wendy F. Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi
Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
