The following message from 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel was sent to the students, faculty and staff of the 10 campuses on April 30, 2025.

Aloha 东精影业 ʻohana,

I am pleased to report that on Friday, April 25, the federal administration announced that it would reinstate affected students’ records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which universities and the government use to track international students. All previously affected 东精影业 international students have had their SEVIS registrations restored.

It is important to note that the federal government has described this action as “temporary” and indicated that a new policy regarding international students is under development. The situation may change quickly, and we will continue to monitor developments closely. 东精影业 is committed to supporting our international students through these uncertain times.

I strongly encourage all international students to utilize the resources available to them. Services are available across the 东精影业 System to support international students, faculty and scholars. Please contact the appropriate office below if you need any assistance:

• 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 International Students
  issmanoa@hawaii.edu
  东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 International Student Services
• 东精影业 Hilo International Students
  mellon@hawaii.edu
  
• 东精影业 Community College International Students
  hic@hawaii.edu
  
• International Faculty and Scholars (All 东精影业 Campuses)
  fsis@hawaii.edu
  

More information along with frequently asked questions can be found on the 东精影业 Federal Policy Update and Resources website.

As we have seen repeatedly in recent months, federal policy can shift quickly and without much notice. 东精影业 leadership will continue to monitor these changes and provide updates as new information becomes available.

Mahalo, as always, for your resilience and commitment to supporting our 东精影业 ʻohana during these challenging times.

With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
President, University of Hawaiʻi

Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on , , and

Leaving her home in India to attend the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa was a leap into the unknown for Ritu Krishna Raju. Having never traveled alone, the move came with excitement, but also the weight of being thousands of miles from her family.

Raju recounted her initial excitement mixed with the challenges of living far from her loved ones.

“When I first arrived in Hawaiʻi, I was overwhelmed—excited, but also carrying the weight of being so far from home,” she shares in her commencement speech to be delivered at the fall 2024 ceremony.

Raju quickly discovered that the warmth of aloha extended beyond a word. She found a community and formed lifelong friendships with people who shared her values and passion. These friendships became her anchor, providing encouragement and laughter through the challenges of her journey. Surrounded by good friends, she learned the true meaning of ʻohana—family that extends beyond blood—and it deepened her connection to the islands and their people.

Marine biology attracts Raju to Hawaiʻi

Drawn to 东精影业 Mānoa for its world-renowned marine biology program, Raju鈥檚 passion for the environment deepened during her studies. She interned with the at the , analyzing the vocal repertoire of endangered Hawaiian monk seals, gaining invaluable experience in marine mammal conservation. Raju also volunteered at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, where she educated visitors about marine life and the importance of protecting coral reefs, sharing her love for the ocean with countless tourists.

Her time at Mānoa was enriched by more than academics. She stretched her creative wings through dance performances and involvement at Kennedy Theatre, while also creating cherished memories with friends—whether hanging out in the courtyard near the Isabella Aiona Abbott Life Sciences Building or engaging with her peers as a Natural Sciences Ambassador.

Growing up, breaking through

More than three years later, she can look back and reflect on how much her experience at her journey at 东精影业 Mānoa has shaped her as a person.

“Growth often comes when you least expect it, and I鈥檝e found that stepping out of my comfort zone has revealed more about who I am than I ever imagined. I鈥檝e grown beyond the shy, unsure person I once was into someone who can navigate challenges with purpose and a deep respect for the world around me,” Raju said. “I am thankful for my family giving me their unwavering support that got me to where I am.”

As Raju wraps up this chapter of her educational journey she is considering graduate school to specialize in marine mammal biology with hopes to raise awareness about marine conservation back home in India. She will go knowing she has found and created a second home on the other side of the world with a community Raju can call her own.

The University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu and Japan Aviation College Hokkaido (JAA) recently signed an agreement that allows Japanese students to seamlessly transfer and earn their bachelor’s degree in Hawaiʻi. This is the first in what is hoped to be many international partnerships for the Kapolei campus.

“We look forward to bringing JAA students to our campus to enhance their education with an Indigenous-grounded curriculum in our top-notch business program,” 东精影业 West Oʻahu Chancellor Maenette Benham said. “This valuable partnership will provide our own students with the chance to interact with an international community to expand their global knowledge and understanding.”

Students who complete an associate degree at JAA are guaranteed acceptance with sophomore standing to 东精影业 West Oʻahu in with a concentration in , or . The JAA students will have to meet international transfer student requirements, including passing an approved English proficiency exam.

The partnership promotes international education, cultural exchange and collaboration in areas of common interest and benefit to both institutions. Starting in 2025, qualifying JAA students will come to 东精影业 West Oʻahu for an in-person experience that will expose them to Indigenous culture, place-based learning and a robust academic curriculum within the Business Administration program.

“Japan and Hawaiʻi have a deep historical and cultural relationship,” JAA Chancellor Tadahiro Umezawa said. “In international resorts and commercial areas, there are opportunities for Japanese students to learn. This is extremely meaningful, and I hope that it will have a positive impact on the future of students.”

JAA鈥檚 International Aviation Business Department aims to train cabin attendants and ground staff who can succeed in the world with international knowledge and culture. Students study languages and Japanese culture to establish the foundation of understanding international cultural differences, learn etiquette and manners through practical manner training classes, and gain a high sense of hospitality.

–By Leila Wai Shimokawa

New, prospective and international students at the have updated online resources from the and the to guide them on their educational journeys.

The highlights the benefits of choosing 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, including excellence in academics, research, athletics and cultural opportunities—both in Hawaiʻi and internationally. Freshmen and transfer students can use the viewbook to keep on track their first year with a checklist of requirements and important dates, and the viewbook features alumni and faculty voices to welcome them to an educational experience like no other.

The focuses on support and opportunities available specifically for international students, as well as requirements. Similarly to the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Viewbook, the guide features students sharing experiences to encourage international students to make the most of their 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 journey.

provides a breakdown of tuition for resident, non-resident and Western Undergraduate Exchange students, as well as financial aid, scholarship, grant and student employment information.

“These publications are designed to introduce prospective students to the distinctive educational experience that 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 offers,” said Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Nikki Chun. “I hope students and their family members use these pieces as jumping off points to learn more about everything that is available to them here at 惭腻苍辞补.”

The priority application deadline for the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 fall 2023 semester is January 5, and the final deadline is March 1. The priority deadline for financial aid is February 1. More information is available on the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 website and the website.

The (NICE) at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Outreach College has been reaffirmed for a full 10-year accreditation by the (CEA) from April 2022 through April 2032.

NICE centers on oral communication and cultural competence, as well as innovative methods for teaching and practicing real-world listening and speaking tasks.

NICE offers English courses throughout the year for students with a variety of goals. Study options include rigorous intensive English for academic, professional and general purposes, as well as short conversation courses that expose students to life in the U.S. and Hawaiʻi. TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) preparation classes are also offered.

“CEA accreditation means that external reviewers have thoroughly assessed our NICE program offerings to ensure that they meet rigorous academic standards that help to ensure student success. This formal recognition from one of the leading organizations overseeing English language teaching and administration helps students know that the courses they take in the NICE program are of the highest quality,” said Stephanie Vie, acting dean of 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Outreach College.

Cultural immersion

Originally from Chile, NICE program student Mitzi Angelina Labrin Vargas graduated from the University of Chile with a degree in civil engineering and worked as a civil engineer project manager for 11 years before quitting her job to come to 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 to study English.

“I have always wanted to study abroad and practice my English skills in an English country. I feel English is a universal language and I consider it a personal challenge,” said Labrin. “Hawaiʻi is the perfect place where you can find the perfect mix of studies and nature.”

“Mitzi has been studying in our program since July 2021. She is an outstanding student and recipient of numerous awards for three terms in a row and continues to work hard in the current term,” said Lisa Nakandakari, Outreach College international programs student services specialist. “NICE has really helped her improve her English, especially her confidence in speaking it. This is a testament to the high caliber of teachers and curriculum.”

“When I first came to Hawaiʻi I was able to understand but wasn鈥檛 able to speak fluently, now I’m doing better. I made friends and immersed myself in English,” said Labrin.

Labrin had the opportunity to be one of the interviewees during a site visit of the CEA accreditation, and was happy to contribute to the process. “I know how important the CEA accreditation is because in Chile having a professional license or accreditation is also very important,” she said.

More on the CEA

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 New Intensive Courses in English (NICE) Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation for the period April 2022 through April 2032 and agrees to uphold the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Institutions. CEA is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency for English language programs and institutions in the U.S.. For further information about this accreditation, please contact CEA, 1001 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 630, Alexandria, VA 22314, (703) 665-3400, .

This message was shared with international students enrolled for the first time at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 on June 2, 2021.

Aloha 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 international students,

We look forward to having all of you on the University of Hawaiʻi (东精影业) at 惭腻苍辞补 campus this fall semester as the COVID-19 pandemic is under much better control here in Hawaiʻi.

The COVID-19 requirements to travel to Hawaiʻi and attend 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 are also transitioning, but please know the university is committed to supporting you through the entire process. We fully understand that vaccine rollouts are delayed in various countries, but all students are strongly encouraged to get a vaccine approved on the World Health Organization鈥檚 (WHO) emergency use listing (EUL)—i.e., any vaccine listed on the with assessment status “finalized.” If that is not possible before you arrive in Hawaiʻi, there will be opportunities to get the vaccine after you have arrived.

More detailed information will be provided soon as State of Hawaiʻi and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 guidelines are updated and as the situation continues to improve. Please check your My东精影业 account regularly for updates and know that we are always here to assist you. Email issmanoa@hawaii.edu if you have any questions.

Here is what we know as of June 1.

Traveling to Hawaiʻi

The current travel requirements to Hawaiʻi are expected to change leading up to the start of the fall semester. Currently, all travelers to Hawaiʻi must clear the state鈥檚 and be symptom free upon arrival to avoid the mandatory 10-day quarantine. The program requires a negative COVID-19 test result 72 hours prior to arrival in Hawaiʻi from , currently limited to facilities in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Canada. Also, certain airlines have specific guidelines to board flights destined for Honolulu, so please be sure to abide by these guidelines prior to your departure.

The expectation is that the will continue to expand, and the hope is that it will cover travelers from most, if not all, Asian and Pacific Rim countries. The program will likely be less restrictive for travelers who can show they have been vaccinated. We anticipate possible testing upon arrival and/or reduced quarantine time for those not yet vaccinated, though this is not yet certain. Downloading the SafeTravels Hawaiʻi app prior to your departure is necessary, so please make sure you complete the survey and upload all COVID-19-related test results. Upon arrival at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (Honolulu), Department of Health officials will require you to show the QR code created by your SafeTravels Hawaiʻi app, after you pass Immigration and Customs.

We will send you more information as the details are finalized. In the meantime, international students are encouraged to begin making their travel arrangements as soon as possible. If you know you will be unable to receive a vaccine before arrival, try to arrive as early as possible (but no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 or DS-2019, as per F1 and J1 visa policy) so you can receive the vaccine in Hawaiʻi before the start of classes. If you have to quarantine, you will be responsible for arranging and paying for your own accommodations.

COVID-19 vaccination requirement

东精影业 announced on May 17 that being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 will be part of the student health clearance requirement once, as expected this summer, at least one COVID-19 vaccine has been fully licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of June 1, both Pfizer and Moderna have submitted applications for full licensure.

You are considered to be “fully vaccinated” two weeks after the completion of the required vaccine. Currently the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses several weeks apart, and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one dose. Health clearance also includes a tuberculosis (TB) clearance and three different immunizations. A student has to meet all health clearance requirements to be on the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 campus.

More information on the student COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Student Housing, being on campus before fully vaccinated

If and when the vaccine requirement takes effect, students will not be allowed in student housing or on campus until they are fully vaccinated, which is two weeks after the final dose. Students will be responsible for the cost of their alternative accommodations until they are cleared. 东精影业 will also work with instructors to make sure students are not penalized as they wait to be cleared. Fortunately, about 50% to 60% of courses in the fall semester are online. Students who receive their first dose may be allowed to be on campus with restrictions. More information will be provided as soon as it is available.

Patience is greatly appreciated

There are many details that have yet to be finalized, but please know that tremendous progress is being made against the pandemic in Hawaiʻi and the United States. As things improve, restrictions will be lessened and updated as life at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 returns to normal.

Please watch for updates and email issmanoa@hawaii.edu if you have any questions.

Soon your journey will begin or continue at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, one of the best universities in the world, where we are proud to have you as part of our ʻohana (family).

Mahalo (thank you), and we look forward to seeing all of you on campus,
Michael Bruno
东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost

In recognition of , students at the have produced a series of short 5–15 minute videos teaching the basics of their languages. The project is sponsored by the 东精影业 Hilo and International Student Association.

“We invite you to take a few minutes to learn some conversational words and phrases and information about the many languages our students speak,” wrote Jim Mellon, director of international student services and intercultural education in an email to the campus. “This project is also aimed at recognizing the United Nations鈥� upcoming International Decade of Indigenous Languages.”

Mini lessons are available on the International Student Association . Viewers can learn the basics of Japanese, Kapingamarangi (spoken in Pohnpei State, Micronesia), Korean, Kosraean, Mandarin, Nauruan, Palauan, Serbian, Sonsorolese (spoken in Palau), Swahili, Swedish, Turkmen and Uchinaaguchi (spoken in Okinawa).

东精影业 Hilo currently enrolls about 200 students from 37 countries. These students contribute diverse perspectives and backgrounds to the campus, enriching the educational experience for all. In addition, the financial contribution of international students to the state and Hawaiʻi Island is estimated at $185 million and $5.7 million, respectively, for 2019.

—By Susan Enright

International students in the University of Hawaiʻi 10-campus system contributed more than $82.2 million in direct spending to the state鈥檚 economy in 2019, that led to a total economic output of more than $173 million for Hawaiʻi. Those findings were in (PDF) released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).

东精影业 international students are responsible for about 45% of the $381.2 million dollars in direct and indirect spending by international students in Hawaiʻi in 2019.

“International students have positively contributed to Hawaiʻi and our economy for many years,” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “They have helped to expand our marketing and promotion efforts to reinforce the message that Hawaiʻi is a place where the world comes to learn.”

The economic impact of international students goes well beyond paying for tuition and fees, according to the DBEDT report:

• $381.2 million in economic output generated, including direct, indirect and induced effects;
• $29.2 million in state taxes generated;
• $168.4 million in household income generated; and
• 3,756 jobs supported by international student spending.

“While the COVID pandemic has added a pause to travel to Hawaiʻi, we are confident that international students will continue to seek educational opportunities in the state in the near future,” said Dennis Ling, administrator of the Hawaiʻi Business Development and Support Division.

Hawaiʻi鈥檚 educational institutions hosted a diverse group of students from all over the globe. Japan remained the top country of origin for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 international students, comprising 31.6% of the total. Japan was followed by South Korea with 14.4%, Switzerland with 9.0%, China with 4.7% (including Hong Kong and Macao), and Germany with 2.9%.

For more, .

This letter was submitted by University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Provost Michael Bruno to Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf and Acting Regulatory Unit Chief, Office of Policy and Planning Sharon Hageman, U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the new proposed rule .

Dear Acting Secretary Wolf and Acting Regulatory Unit Chief Hageman,

On behalf of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补, I write to urge you withdraw this rule. The proposed elimination of duration of status and its replacement by the proposed fixed length of stay periods (two or four years) would deal a devastating blow to our university and to our nation鈥檚 global competitiveness and reputation. Given the gravity of the proposed changes, I also request that the period open for commentary be extended from 30 days to 60 days.

Despite the arguments posted by the Department of Homeland Security, it is clear to us that this ruling would have a chilling effect on international students, who have many options for study abroad. The excellence of higher education in the U.S. has been a strong draw in recent decades; but this ruling, if enacted, would surely work to weaken that draw. A decline in international students would snowball into lower rankings and still fewer of the top international students choosing to study in the USA. Moreover, aside from the many contributions these students make to our academic programs and our reputation for excellence, they also bring very substantial financial resources鈥攄irectly to our colleges and universities in the tuition and fees they pay, and more broadly to the overall economy. Recent research on the 2018–19 academic year found the contribution to the U.S. economy by international students studying at our colleges and universities to be $41 billion, supporting 458,290 jobs.

The proposed periods (2 years or 4 years) will be inadequate for many international students at all levels, but especially so at the graduate level. Average time to doctoral degrees for all students has recently been determined to be 7.3 years; and for international students only slightly more (7.5 years). Why would a capable international student choose to risk coming to the U.S. for graduate study knowing that an extension would be needed and could not be guaranteed until more than 3 years into their study—an enormous risk of time and financial resources鈥攚hen they have so many other countries they could choose without having the uncertainty about being granted an extension?

Requiring application to USCIS for Extension of Stay (EOS) would add substantially to the workload of an already overburdened USCIS, as well as our international student and scholar services offices. And it would place an additional financial and workload burden on international students and scholars themselves.

This proposed rule change is unlikely to make the U.S. any safer, since DHS already tracks international students and exchange visitors, who are also monitored closely by the colleges and universities that host them. Instead, it sends a negative, discouraging message to them, at the same time as many other countries around the world are taking steps to ensure that international students and exchange visitors feel welcome and are provided with the support systems they deserve.

I urge you to withdraw the proposed rule. It is fundamentally flawed and its implementation would be counter to the national interest, doing far more damage to our institutions than making them and our nation more secure.

Sincerely,
Michael Bruno
东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Provost

Editor’s note: On July 14, 2020, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security rescinded its policy that would bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the U.S. The policy regarding online coursework returns to the federal guidance published for spring and summer, which allows continuing international students to remain in the U.S. while taking all online classes, regardless of what format their school uses for course delivery.

The following message was shared with the students, faculty, and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on July 9, 2020.

Aloha,

This past Monday the federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provided new guidance on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) that governs the eligibility for international students to remain in the U.S. for their studies. While it has long been the case that international students cannot take a fully online course load while in the U.S., this requirement was waived during spring and summer 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced higher education institutions across the country to abruptly shift to fully online instruction.

The new guidance revokes the spring 2020 guidance, so for fall 2020, international students in the U.S. are not permitted to enroll in a schedule of only online courses. Most troublingly, this guidance would apply even if all their courses shift to fully online in the middle of a semester again.

We view the new guidelines as unfair, harmful and inappropriate in the unpredictable situation we all face during this COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The federal government鈥檚 new guidance has created unnecessary fear and uncertainty for international students on our 东精影业 campuses and across the nation.

Our first and highest priority right now is to ensure we can enable all our international students to continue their 东精影业 education in Hawaiʻi. There were nearly 2,400 undergraduate and graduate international students enrolled at 东精影业鈥檚 10 campuses in fall 2019. They have long been vital members of the 东精影业 ʻohana, and we embrace our commitments to support their education here.

After studying the new DHS guidance and reviewing the SEVP rules, we believe that we can enable our international students to continue their 东精影业 studies under the current guidance, even if the campus needs to revert back online. As we finalize our approach we will advise our international students accordingly.

Our experience is that this type of situation can be quite dynamic, which adds to the uncertainty. We are working with our congressional delegation and professional associations to attempt to correct these guidelines.

E malama pono,
David Lassner
东精影业 President

Editor’s note: On July 14, 2020, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security rescinded its policy that would bar international students who only take online courses from staying in the U.S. The policy regarding online coursework returns to the federal guidance published for spring and summer, which allows continuing international students to remain in the U.S. while taking all online classes, regardless of what format their school uses for course delivery.

The following message was shared with international students at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 on July 7, 2020.

On July 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security鈥檚 (SEVP) announced new, temporary exemptions to the normal online study limits of F-1 (full time international) students for the fall 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the guidance, SEVP outlines the possibility for exemptions based on one of three course delivery formats chosen by the school: (1) entirely online classes, (2) normal in-person classes, and (3) a hybrid model—mixture of online and in-person classes.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has opted for the hybrid model in the fall 2020 semester, and so its F-1 students will be permitted to take more than one class (or three credit hours) online, with certification from the school. In other words, students may take more online credit hours than the standard online study limit if required, but they cannot have their entire course load online. At least one course has to be hybrid and/or in-person.

The full-time enrollment requirement has not changed. (NOTE: “Online” refers to classes that do not require any physical attendance. 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 classes designated as “hybrid” are not considered online classes for the purpose of this guidance.)

To qualify for the exemption, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 must report to SEVP its delivery format by August 1. The school must also certify to SEVP by August 4 that for each F-1 student:

• The school is not operating entirely online
• The student is not taking an entirely online course load for the fall 2020 semester, and
• The student is taking no more than the minimum number of online classes required to make normal progress in their degree program

International Student Services (ISS) will be re-issuing I-20s with this certification to all F-1 students throughout July, starting with new students and continuing students who are outside the U.S.

Under these federal guidelines, any international student who has enrolled entirely online for the fall, or is planning to do so, cannot hold F-1 status. Such students outside the U.S. may not enter the country, and those already in the U.S. are required to leave promptly. If the courses chosen include a mix of online and in person courses and these courses were to change to all online mid-semester, the same conditions would apply鈥攖he student would lose F-1 status.

We are asking all academic programs to work with their international students to ensure that their enrollment in courses is in compliance with this latest SEVP guidance. If students are unable to enroll in the appropriate courses to meet the above certification, they should report to ISS for further guidance: issmanoa@hawaii.edu.

We understand that as of this date, visa services remain suspended worldwide. U.S. entry bans for certain countries remain in place, and Hawaiʻi鈥檚 14-day quarantine continues through July.

There are many more questions to be answered, and ISS will be preparing an FAQ that will be ready by Friday, July 10.

(PDF).

Stay safe and well,

International Student Services

international students and community volunteers took the stage at the . They performed traditional songs and dances from their homelands at the 东精影业 Hilo Performing Arts Center on February 21 and 22.

The two-night production by the carried on the beautiful tradition of sharing cultures from all over the world. The unique celebration of diversity gave the college and community an opportunity to experience a multitude of cultural performances.

International Nights Program

On February 21, the following groups and countries were represented:

• Japan: Taishoji Taiko
• Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): Pohnpei Kaselehlie Club
• Japan: Japanese Student Association
• Kosrae, FSM: Kosrae Hilo Organization
• West Africa: LavaRoots Performing Arts
• Sri Lanka: Thatmini Kularatna
• Samoa: Tupulaga O Samoa Mo A Taeao

The February 22 lineup featured the following cultures and organizations:

• Japan: Puna Taiko
• Philippines: Filipino Studies Group
• Tonga: Maata Fakasieiki
• Palau: Ngelekel Belau Club
• Ireland: Hawaiʻi Irish Dance
• Yap, FSM: Waab Student Organization
• India: Big Island Desi
• Marshall Islands: Marshallese Iakwe Club

The 鈥檚 newest linguistics course, Elementary Indigenous Languages (), gives international students who are already highly fluent native speakers the opportunity to study their indigenous language and formal writing systems from an academic perspective.

In order to enroll in the class, students must have fluency in one or more indigenous languages such as Navajo, Chuukese, Central Alaskan Yupʻik and Samoan. This semester the class is taught by Scott Saft, professor of linguistics, and Yumiko Ohara, associate professor of linguistics.

“There are so many students who speak Polynesian and Micronesian languages here, but until now there was not a class for them to showcase their skills or to use their knowledge,” said Ohara. “The class is unique because it gives students a platform to study their indigenous languages in depth with the guidance of linguistics faculty.”

“We want to encourage those students to explore the structures, the vocabulary and all aspects of their own language, with the hope that they may become more interested in their language and more interested in teaching others their language,” said Saft.

Two students passionate about preserving language and heritage

LING 133 student Chelsea Pedro grew up in Koror in the Republic of Palau and considers herself somewhat fluent in Sonsorolese, a language that has only about 500 speakers.

“A lot of Sonsorolese want to revitalize the language and use it more, but it is only spoken in the community,” said Pedro. “It is not used in school; only English and Palauan are used.”

This past summer in Palau, Pedro completed a government-sponsored internship and managed to organize a language attitude survey among 200 Sonsorolese speakers between the ages of 18 and 40.

“I find it interesting that there is not a lot of study on Sonsorolese,” said Pedro. “Not a lot of people speak fluently. Nowadays my generation mixes it with English and older people do not like that, but when I went back they were willing to help me preserve the language. They find that it is fading or dying.”

Another LING 133 student, Faʻafaleaʻi Siliva, is also passionate about preserving her language along with her culture. Silivia is from the villages of Nua, Seʻetaga, and Taputimu in American Samoa. Her study of the Samoan language is motivated by her desire to preserve Samoan heritage and identity for future generations.

“For young people, we mostly use colloquial language, but Samoan also has respectful ways of speaking; we do not speak to elders and friends in the same ways,” said Siliva. “We create a code language, slang, and I feel like we are drifting away from the traditional ways by always using the everyday language, and the other form of the Samoan language is fading.”

—By Leah Sherwood, a graduate student in the tropical conservation biology and environmental science program at 东精影业 Hilo.

Strands upon strands of pink yarn, connected by six foot high poles, forms a web-like circular structure that greets students and visitors alike when they visit the campus.

The unique creation is a representation of network and connection and part of a global movement called the . It was constructed at the start of the fall 2019 semester by students from Hawaiʻi and abroad. The symbolic activity was part of student peer-led campus tours and gave students an opportunity to think about who they are as individuals, as well as see the visual representation of who they are as first-year students and community members.

“Our hope was to communicate how our diversity builds a strong and vibrant community at 东精影业 Maui College,” said Coordinator Eri Nomura.

“I loved the experience we had,” said Aline Munaldi. “Made us realize that despite all the differences we have, we are all connected in some way.”

The Unity Project is a national, outdoor, interactive art display that creates connections among diversity. Students, faculty and staff tie pink yarn to posts that reflect their individual identities, and as a result, a canopy of interconnectedness forms as more people participate. Examples of the individual identifiers are “I鈥檓 a survivor,” “My family鈥檚 continent of origin is Asia,” “I鈥檓 a parent,” and “I am a dog lover.”

“We need to understand and learn that the world is a colorful, vibrant place. Humanity has different values, but one common value shouldn’t be questionable: we have to respect that we are all different,” said 东精影业 Maui student Zsigmond Varga. “The unity circle teaches this principle.”

Fellow student Kaede Tada agrees.

“I really liked the unity of circle. I felt that we are connected somehow, and I鈥檓 not alone,” said Tada. “I am from Japan and sometimes I feel alone, however, that activity made me [feel differently].”

International students in the University of Hawaiʻi system contributed more than $91.5 million to the state鈥檚 economy in 2018 according to the (PDF) released by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). The estimated total amount of direct spending by international students at all Hawaiʻi institutions was $216.9 million, which includes total living expenses and institutional tuition and fees.

“The benefits international students contribute to our state go far beyond their direct and indirect spending. Their presence in our schools promotes mutual understanding and global collaboration and is essential to building bridges that connect future world leaders,” said Gov. David Ige. “We are able to share Hawaiʻi鈥檚 culture with the students and they, in turn, teach us about their culture.”

Including the ripple effects, DBEDT estimates the total economic impacts of international students are:

• $446.7 million in economic output generated, including direct, indirect and induced effects
• $34.3 million in state taxes generated
• $197.3 million in household income generated
• 4,576 jobs supported by international student spending

According to Mike McCartney, director of DBEDT, “International study exchange programs not only contribute to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 economic growth but its continued ability to attract foreign students and investments. Hawaiʻi鈥檚 appeal as a place that embraces many different cultures remains one of our greatest assets.”

.

Read the full (PDF).

hosts its March 12–14. The festival features guest speakers, music, dance, art, films, literature and poetry to showcase the diversity of international cultures worldwide. Kapiʻolani CC鈥檚 International Festival is the longest running international event on 东精影业 campuses.

All events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, March 12

• 9:15 a.m., Kopiko 127B and 128: There鈥檚 something funny about climate change with guest speaker Peterson Toscano
• 9:15 a.m., Lama Library: A literary reading and talk with guest speaker Alani Apio
• 10:45 a.m., Lama Library: Hula Kiʻi, the art of Hawaiian puppetry with guest speaker Auliʻi Mitchell
• 11 a.m., ʻŌhiʻa tent: Music is our passion, music is life, presented by the Kapiʻolani CC Synthesizer Ensemble
• 12:15 p.m., Lama Library: Cantonese opera “Fragrant Sacrifice” performed by Albert and Lisa Au
• 1 p.m., Lama Library: Film screening of “Leitis in Waiting”
• 6:30 p.m., Olona 201: International film night

Wednesday, March 13

• 9:15 a.m., Lama Library: The loss of a language with guest speakers Leah Pappas and Olivia Biarchini
• 9:55 a.m., Lama Library: Indigenous languages in Malaysia with guest speaker Katherine Strong
• 11 a.m., ʻŌhiʻa tent: 鈥淯kulele Soul鈥� performed by Karlie Goya
• 11:30 a.m., Lama Library: Poster session on indigenous languages
• 12:15 p.m., Olona 202: “This is Your Brain on K-pop” with guest speaker Patrick Patterson
• 1:30 p.m., Lama Library: Biocultural documentation, linguistics meets ethnobotany with guest speakers Mike Ross and Gary Holton
• 2:30 p.m., Lama Library: “We Still Live Here,” a Nutayunean documentary
• 6:30 p.m., Olona 201: International film night

Thursday, March 14

• 9:15 a.m., Lama Library: “The Linguistics,” a documentary film
• 10:45 a.m., Lama Library: Nalu i ka mauli ola, being an indigenous-serving institution with guest speakers Mark Kunimune, Lisa Kobuke, Porscha dela Fuente, Kelli Brandvold and Brian Furuto
• 11 a.m., Lama Library: Ethnomusicology, a world of music presented by Beryl Yang and music 107 students
• 11 a.m., Great lawn: Pi day hosted by Engineers for a Sustainable World
• 11:45 a.m., ʻŌhiʻa tent: Dances of the Middle East performed by Middle Eastern Dance Artists of Hawaiʻi
• 6:30 p.m., Olona 201: International film night

are providing a major boost to the state economy. In 2017, 东精影业鈥檚 foreign students generated $103.3 million in direct spending in Hawaiʻi that led to $241.5 million in economic output, according to a report by the state (DBEDT) released November 27.

The direct spending estimate includes the total living expenses and institutional tuition and fees. 东精影业 accounts for nearly half of the $241.5 million generated by international students in direct spending as well as the resulting $497 million in economic output, which includes direct, indirect, and induced effects, according the DBEDT report.

“Our international students and programs not only have a tremendous impact on the local economy, they also expose our in and out of state students to different ideas, customs and perspectives,” said Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy . “They are an extremely valuable part of the educational experience at 东精影业 and are one of the reasons why we are truly a global university.”

In the fall 2017 semester, there were 2,465 international students enrolled in the 东精影业 System, close to 5 percent of the total student body. The total responding 34 educational institutions in the state reported a total of 12,916 international students in 2017, including both long-term students and short-term students, such as those that came to attend English language training programs.

“International students in Hawaiʻi are an important part of our economy,” stated DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria. “Students from around the world bring international perspectives into our classrooms, and often lead to longer-term business relationships and economic benefits.”

International students contribution to taxes, income and jobs

The Research and Economic Analysis Division of DBEDT prepared the report that also estimated that international students generated $38.2 million in state taxes and $219.8 million in household income while supporting 5,264 jobs in 2017. The (BDSD) is leading the state鈥檚 efforts for international student exchange.

“While nationwide, the overall number of international students studying in the U.S. declined, Hawaiʻi鈥檚 numbers are holding steady thanks to our continued marketing,” said Dennis Ling, BDSD administrator. “The department will continue to work with our education partners to attract more foreign students to our classrooms.”

Japan remains the top country of origin for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 international students, followed by the Republic of Korea and China.

The , and the impact of 东精影业 System can be found in Appendix III, page 19.

Nearly 100 new international students enrolled at the in the fall 2018 semester were welcomed to their new island home by host families at a reception held on campus.

The matches international students with local families to help them adjust to their new life in Hawaiʻi and develop a sense of ʻohana in Hilo.

“It鈥檚 a way for new students not only to become part of the local community beyond the campus, but for families to learn more about other cultures and countries,” said Jim Mellon, director of International Student Services. “The program builds bridges between the campus and the community, and between cultures and nations.”

东精影业 Hilo has joined and hundreds of communities nationwide in assisting the assimilation of international students and scholars, immigrants and refugees through activities such as the Host Family Program. A welcome party for new and returning international students, and a buddy program that pairs new international students with an American friend, are among the campus鈥� activities.

“These events are part of a powerful and growing movement in our country and around the world demonstrating that communities want to be welcoming,” said Rachel Peric, executive director of Welcoming America. “At a time of rising anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies that hurt families, Welcoming Week is a reminder of the resilient and inclusive spirit of American communities.”

.

A Spanish flamenco dance blended with a Middle Eastern twist. Bhutanese modern pop with fusion costumes. And the lively traditional songs and dances of Tahiti.

These are just a few offerings featured at , a celebration of the ‘s multi-cultural diversity on Friday, March 16, 5-9 p.m. at the Campus Center Ballroom.

The event, which will feature performances and cultural booths, is free and open to the public.

This year’s highlighted cultures are Bhutan, China, Nepal, the Philippines, Russia, Spain, Tahiti, Thailand, Tonga, Vietnam and the United States. The university currently serves as a “home away from home” for nearly 1,000 students from 75 countries.

Organized annually since 1999 by the (ISA), this showcase of songs and dances features students, faculty and community members. ISA members, who are themselves a mix of international and domestic students, staff the event and prepare for it months in advance.

“For club members, International Night is a community service to gain experience in TLC or teamwork, leadership and cross-cultural communication,” said Linda Duckworth, director of international student services and ISA faculty advisor.

International Night sponsors are the ; ; ISO Student Health Insurance; ; Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity; Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Success; and .

For more information, including a schedule of performances, visit the .

The 30th Annual International Festival will be held March 19–22 and features guest speakers, music, dance, art, films, literature and poetry that beautifully showcases the diversity of cultures found in the world today through interactive student and guest presentations.

The festival highlights international education and features expressive culture from various countries of the world. This four-day event enhances the depth and substantiality of international programs at Kapiʻolani CC and supports efforts to create a “premier resource in Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific affairs.”

• (PDF)

The International Festival is considered one the college’s signature events and has garnered a significant following and recognition by people in the community.

Featured events

• International Parade of Cultures
• Kenny Endo and the Taiko Center of the Pacific
• Mongolia: Khanate of the Golden Horde
• 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 – The Music of Dance of Tahiti
• MEDAH: Traditions of Dances of the Middle East
• Sevillanas and Tango: Dances of Hispanic Culture
• Kapi鈥榦lani CC Synthesizer Ensemble
• Chinlone of Myanmar
• Ian O鈥� Sullivan: Songs for the North Shore
• International Films, Literature Readings and more

For further information, please contact Carl Hefner, festival director, at (808) 734-9438. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be provided, if requested in advance. Call (808) 734-9160.