About UH Hilo

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Chancellor’s Message

The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo is a growing university of 4,100 students that offers a wide range of liberal arts and professional programs, as well as a number of carefully selected graduate programs. The university recently established two new doctoral programs.

UH Hilo focuses on student learning, with classes small enough to allow students to have personal instruction from PhD faculty who are active scholars in their fields. Faculty regularly collaborate with students on research, internships, and service projects that provide practical applied learning experiences. UH Hilo prepares students well for meaningful and productive careers of benefit to the island, state, and world.

UH Hilo has a richly diverse student population, with a unique blend of local, mainland and international students, all living and learning together in a harmonious and safe environment. The island of Hawai‘i is one of the best places in the world to study environmental and marine science, astronomy, volcanoes, and sustainable agriculture, among many other fields. The island provides the perfect “living laboratory” to study indigenous and Hawaiian language and culture revitalization. There is a strong “sense of place” in these varied fields, presenting opportunities for graduates to make lifelong contributions to their own communities and help build a prosperous future.

UH Hilo’s expanding campus gives students an excellent learning environment. A new sciences and technology building recently opened, and new state-of-the-art facilities for Student Affairs and the College of Hawaiian Language are under construction.

On behalf of the UH Hilo ‘ohana, I’m very pleased to welcome you to the UH Hilo campus community and wish you every success in your educational endeavors.

Donald Straney

Chancellor