As we look for ways to become more cost efficient and financially solvent to ensure Hawaiʻi students accessible, affordable, and quality educational programs that contribute to a healthy post-pandemic Hawaiʻi – the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu needs to “reimagine” our work. That is, how we will serve our communities through critical value-added programs that we offer. To do so with integrity requires us to look to our Value Proposition, Mission and Vision:

Proposition: UH West Oʻahu prepares 21st Century leaders…through integrated, transdisciplinary programs where learners discover, innovate, and engage diverse communities to create a vibrant and just world (Value Proposition);

Mission: UH West Oʻahu offers a distinct and accessible student-centered education that focuses on the 21st Century learner. The University embraces Native Hawaiian culture and traditions, while promoting student success in an environment where students of all backgrounds are supported. Our campus fosters excellence in teaching, learning, and service to the community (Mission);

Vision: UH West Oʻahu is a premier, comprehensive, indigenous-serving institution dedicated to educating students to be engaged global citizens and leaders in society. UH West Oʻahu fosters a dynamic learning environment where all students, faculty, and staff embody and perpetuate Pacific and global understanding rooted in Native Hawaiian values (Vision).

In the last half year, we have engaged in a series of conversations involving how UH West Oʻahu can move to a more robust, thriving campus, given the impact of this pandemic on our state’s economy. Campus conversations during September and October led to 122 ideas for us to reduce costs and make investments in our future. The UH West Oʻahu Task Force worked relentlessly to produce two recommendations for cost efficiency and eight recommendations for revenue generation to be implemented in fiscal years 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. We are currently in the Work Group phase – which focuses on creating “a campus that embodies Sustainability/Aloha ‘Āina, Innovation & Transformation, and ʻŌiwi Leadership.” The members of these work groups—students, staff, faculty, and leadership—will join together to generate concrete, research/evidence-proven strategies. In turn, these strategies will be implemented, tested, and if proven to be effective, become practice.