Ka Pe‘ahi Lono: Monthly Message for September 2025
Date/Time sent: 09/02/2025 12:00 pmUH West Oʻahu Value Proposition
We prepare 21st Century leaders, career creators through integrated, transdisciplinary programs where learners and teachers, together, discover and innovate and engage diverse communities to create a vibrant and socially just world.
Hoʻokāhi ka ilau like ana (Wield the paddles together)
Aloha mai kākou e UH West Oʻahu ʻOhana!
In this month’s Ka Peʻahi Lono, we begin first with an important message, a clarion call, to all faculty as you plan for the spring 2026 semester and the 2026-27 academic year. We conclude with essential information and guidance to help everyone — faculty, staff, and students — know what to do in case an ICE agent shows up at your classroom or office.
First, mahalo nūnui kākou for all your efforts to strengthen the ʻupena (net) that links us all as we work to uplift our students and the communities we serve. There is much that has been accomplished! At fall convocation we presented a breadth of informational materials regarding many of our campus services. Please see the link here to download key information shared by participating service units.
Chancellor’s Message to Faculty
Strengthening our Kaiāulu through In-Person Learning
Aloha e nā Kumu,
As we prepare for the coming academic year, I want to mahalo each of you for your continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and student success at UH West Oʻahu. Our university’s pahuhopu is deeply rooted in creating an inclusive, thriving, and connected kaiāulu. This vision is best realized when our students, staff, and faculty can learn and grow together in shared spaces.
We know that pilina, the strengthening of human relationships, is vital to learning — especially for our students navigating the challenges of adulthood, identity, and aspiration. Increasing evidence, including recent work by social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, underscores how in-person engagement helps counter isolation and supports the emotional and academic well-being of our students.
More of our students are choosing — or desiring — to be on campus. Some must attend on-campus/in-person classes, such as our Veterans, International Students, and those with specific learning needs who often require in-person instruction. Additionally, the organic mentoring, peer-to-peer learning, and campus energy that happens through shared presence simply cannot be replicated online.
We also recognize the exceptional creativity and access that online learning has made possible, especially for neighbor island and working students. But I encourage us all to consider how we can rebalance our offerings by teaching more courses in-person or in hybrid formats — especially lower division courses, gateway courses, and those that anchor our majors. By doing so, we deepen connections, foster resilience, and create a more vibrant campus life for all.
I urge each of you to reflect on how your course modalities can support our collective goal: to restore and revitalize our on-campus learning community. I ask unit heads and division chairs to continue these conversations with care, clarity, and flexibility, as we move forward together.
Mahalo nui for all that you do—and for being part of the journey to build a UH West Oʻahu that fully embodies aloha ʻāina, kuleana, and poʻokela.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Maenette K.P. Ah Nee-Benham
Chancellor
E ʻeleu mai ʻoukou! (Step lively, let’s move together!)
Important Guidance for ALL Faculty, Staff, and Students!
As the new school year begins, there are once again, understandably, concerns about the possibility of immigration enforcement activity on UH campuses. That said, please note that as of this printing there has been no known immigration enforcement action on any UH campus in recent years, including well before the current federal administration.
To support our campus communities, the university system has prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that provide clear, comprehensive information on this important topic. The FAQs address a range of issues, including:
- What to do if ICE agents show up at your classroom
- How to respond if approached by immigration officials
- The support available for students, faculty and staff
- Rights and responsibilities of students, faculty and staff
- Campus protocols and available resources
- Support services available to affected members of our community
You can view the full set of FAQs here: Immigration Enforcement FAQs – University of Hawaiʻi. In addition, please be aware of these important contacts and resources:
- For general immigration questions and resources: The Hawaiʻi Immigrant Justice Center at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi.
- If a student, staff, or faculty member has been detained/arrested by law enforcement, those attempting to locate them may call the Refugee & Immigration Law Clinic at the William S. Richardson School of Law at (808) 204-5951. Please note this number is not for general information and should only be used to assist in locating detained or arrested individuals.
- For UH administrators seeking guidance: Please contact Associate General Counsel Stephen Hall at the Office of General Counsel, (808) 956-2211; stephen.hall@hawaii.edu.
At UH West Oʻahu we have prepared a simple one-page overview the guides you important contacts and “what to do.” Please download and print this document so it is easily accessible.
Mahalo for your continued commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all.
Keep in mind, kūkūlu kaiāulu! Please strengthen our community with your passions, respect for one another, and patience! Please respect an individual’s personal choice to wear a face mask. Mahalo to everyone, for your patience and empathy, your good work and commitment to care for one another!
E mālama pono!Kūlia i ka nuʻu – always and together!
Maenette K.P. Ah Nee-Benham
Chancellor