Gov. Green secures federal support for Univeristy of Hawai‘i, restores webpage honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

After discussions with advisors in the White House, Gov. Josh Green ensured continued federal funding for the University of Hawai‘i amid a Title VI investigation and had the U.S. Army’s webpage honoring the legendary 442nd Regimental Combat Team restored.

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa was among 60 institutions under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights for potential antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

“While the university has fully cooperated with the investigation and remains committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment, there were growing concerns that the federal administration would use these investigations as a pretext to pull critical federal funding,” according to a press release from the governor’s office Monday.

Green reached out directly to senior White House officials to protect university students and ensure the institution would not face unwarranted financial penalties.

At 4:30 a.m. on March 11, Green said he spoke to high-level administration officials including the Deputy Chief of Staff for the White House and a Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, explaining that while there was a little on-campus conflict during the recent war in Gaza, it paled in comparison to what’s gone on at other universities.

“I explained that while there was We are not an institution that is antisemitic,” Green said. “We’re giving them a letter to fortify our position, but they assured me the University of Hawai‘i is not on the chopping block for antisemitism.”

Through these efforts, the federal administration reaffirmed its commitment to upholding civil rights while maintaining funding streams that support research, education, and student services at the university.

“I couldn’t stand by and allow a misunderstanding from the government to use civil rights investigations as a tool to undermine our students’ future,” said Governor Green. “The University of Hawai‘i is a pillar of opportunity for our local students, and I will always fight to protect access to higher education.”

Green also sought the U.S. Army to restore its webpage honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team — a unit renowned as the most decorated for its size and length of service in U.S. military history. The unit comprised of mostly Japanese American soldiers with two-thirds of its members from the Hawaiian Islands.

It is unknown why the webpage was taken down, but it has since been restored.

During the 73rd Cherry Blossom Festival on O‘ahu, Green shared with local Japanese leaders, including Consul General of Japan, Yoshinori Kodama, that he was reaching out to the administration to ensure the 442nd’s legacy remained intact.

“The story of the 442nd is a testament to the resilience and patriotism of Japanese-American soldiers who fought bravely for a country that once questioned their loyalty,” said Governor Green. “We must never allow their sacrifices to be erased from history.”