Looking back at the top news from the University of Hawaiʻi in 2024

Before we get too far into 2025 and the headlines start rolling in about the people, research and work at the 10 campuses of the statewide University of Hawai‘i system, let’s review the top headlines from last year.

University of Hawai‘i News posted nearly 1,500 stories in a very eventful 2024.

Those stories include:

• Retirement of David Lassner as university president and nationwide search and selection of Wendy Hesel to take his place.
• Fall 2024 enrollment surpassing 50,000 students for the entire 10-campus system.
• University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Hōkū Keʻa Observatory becoming the first observatory on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island to be removed and its site restored.
• Reaching a milestone in a project aimed at creating a living breakwater system to protect coastlines from erosion and create ecosystems where resilient corals and other ocean life can grow and thrive.

Here are the top 10 University of Hawai‘i news stories of 2024.

University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents unanimously selects Wendy Hensel as next university system president

“I humbly accept this position knowing that I have to lead by example and that I need everyone’s support to do everything possible to make sure UH is the institution of higher education that Hawaiʻi needs and deserves.”

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents voted unanimously Oct. 17 to appoint Wendy Hensel — who said the words above — as the next president of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system.

Hensel’s appointment became effective this month.

Enrollment up at University of Hawai‘i’s 10 campuses, surpasses 50K

There were 50,418 students enrolled for the fall 2024 semester, a 3% increase compared to fall 2023. Enrollment is up at 8 of the 10 University of Hawai‘i system campuses, including all 7 community colleges, which has not happened since 2010.

Kauaʻi Community College had a fall 2024 enrollment of 1,335 students, up 3% from the year before. Hawaiʻi Community College on the Big Island saw an increase of 1% in enrollment from 2023, with 2,289 students starting classes in fall 2024.

First-time freshmen enrolling at University of Hawai‘i from Hawaiʻi high schools increased by 10% throughout the system, including a 15% increase at University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and a 9% increase at the university’s community colleges.

University of Hawai‘i breaks extramural funding record with $615.7M

Last year marked the third consecutive year University of Hawai‘i topped half a billion dollars in funding, with a record-setting total that is a $99.8 million, or 19.3%, increase compared with the university’s previous record of $515.9 million set in fiscal year 2023.

“Our faculty, staff and students have once again answered the call with their hard work and dedication to grow the UH research enterprise, and at the same time, helping us to serve as a major contributor to Hawaiʻi’s economy,” said University of Hawai‘i Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos.

Extramural funding is investments from external sources such as the federal government, industry and nonprofit organizations that support research and training activities conducted by university faculty and staff.

Extramural projects support research and innovation that helps increase the knowledge base and provide solutions that impact the quality of life throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Mauna Kea: 1st telescope decommissioning complete

A historic milestone on the summit of Mauna Kea — the first observatory on the summit has been completely removed and the site restored.

The decommissioning of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Hōkū Keʻa Observatory was completed in May 2024, and the area will be monitored during the next 3 years to assess species population and diversity.

The decommissioning work began in April and cost approximately $1 million.

Massive renewable energy project at University of Hawai‘i-West O‘ahu took years of dedication

The facility, built and operated by AES Hawaiʻi, is generating 12.5 megawatts of clean energy and supported by a 50-megawatt-hour battery energy storage system.

It is operating under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Hawaiian Electric Co. and reducing fossil fuel use on Oʻahu by 750,000 barrels of oil.

Along with generating and storing clean energy, the land is being used for sheep grazing. AES Hawaiʻi President Sandra Larsen said the solar-plus-storage project is focused on supporting Oʻahu’s economy and environment for the long term.

Punihei Lipe selected to lead systemwide Native Hawaiian initiative

Kaiwipunikauikawēkiu Punihei Lipe was named the new director of Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao and will lead the initiative to advance the University of Hawai‘i 10-campus system’s commitment to becoming an indigenous-serving and indigenous-centered institution.

Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao is a work committee with representatives from each of the 10 campuses tasked with developing, implementing and assessing strategic actions to embedding ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) and Native Hawaiian traditions into the university system’s academic and cultural foundation.

“I embrace this new kuleana with a humble heart, eager to help cultivate a strong, resilient and responsive community that uplifts Ke Kulanui o Hawaiʻi (University of Hawaiʻi) as a Native Hawaiian place of learning, rooted in aloha ʻāina,” said Lipe.

Hawaiʻi’s future jobs: 70% require postsecondary education by 2031

Seventy percent of all jobs in Hawaiʻi in 2031 will require postsecondary education beyond high school and 36% will require at least a bachelorʻs degree, according to a new report by Georgetown University.

About 68% of all jobs in 2021 nationally required at least some postsecondary education. By 2031, the report projects 72% of jobs will require postsecondary education or training, and 42% of all jobs will require at least a bachelor’s degree.

The report finds the number of jobs in Hawaiʻi will increase from 591,000 in 2021 to 624,000 in 2031, with an average of 72,000 job openings annually, from new jobs and jobs that open for other reasons, most frequently retirement.

Of the 72,000 annual job openings, 51,000 will be for workers with postsecondary credentials, 18,000 for those with a high school diploma and just 3,000 for those with less than a high school diploma.

University of Hawai‘i developed, living coastal-protection system prepares for deployment

University of Hawai‘i reached a milestone in the U.S. Department of Defense funded project that aims to create a living breakwater system to protect coastlines from erosion and create ecosystems where resilient corals and other ocean life can grow and thrive.

The Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense is a $27 million, 5-year project funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and in partnership with Florida Atlantic University, Ohio State University, University of California, San Diego/Scripps Institution of Oceanography and industry partner Makai Ocean Engineering in Hawaiʻi.

Project partners the Applied Research Laboratory at University of Hawai‘i and University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology completed the first concrete reef structure and proceeded with full production for 60 units.

They were on track, pending permit approval, for the first deployment of a 50-meter array of structures near Ulupaʻu crater, off the Kailua Bay side of Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi.

Bachman Hall renovation modernized structure while preserving historic past

A 3-year, $26 million dollar renovation of Bachman Hall, one of the iconic buildings on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus, was completed in February 2024.

Renovations were comprehensive, addressing damage in multiple locations caused by roof leaks that originated from air conditioning duct installations in the 1970s.

The roof was replaced, and a new energy-efficient air-conditioning system installed.

Interiors of the historic 2-story, 26,330-square-foot building, built in 1949, were completely gutted and now feature modern, flexible office spaces for 65 people and six large conference rooms, including a 2,500-square-foot room dedicated for University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents public meetings that can accommodate up to 160 people.

Among the many upgrades made, the project preserves the original architectural style of the lobby and building exterior. Terrazzo flooring was installed in the two-story lobby, and the Jean Charlot murals now feature new art lighting.

University of Hawai‘i ‘most important institution for Hawaiʻi’s future’: David Lassner’s aloha interview

Among the University of Hawaiʻi’s significant achievements under the leadership of President David Lassner are rebuilding enrollment, record graduation rates and student outcomes, record extramural funding, high performance in philanthropy and a new real estate program.

“President Lassner’s tireless work has strengthened the University of Hawaiʻi academically, culturally, and financially,” wrote the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents in a resolution presented to Lassner, who retired at the end of 2024.

Lassner navigated the university’s 10 campuses through the COVID-19 pandemic and controversy over Mauna Kea, while strengthening the university’s commitment as an institution serving and inspired by indigenous culture.

He also brought together the roles of leader as the 10-campus statewide system and Univeristy of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the state’s flagship research university.