At the end of the ceremony, everyone with diplomas in hand, UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin takes a selfie with graduates in the background at 2023 Spring Commencement, May 13 at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium.
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo celebrated 2023 Spring Commencement on May 13 at Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium. The ceremony also was livestreamed (recorded for viewing). Almost 700 students petitioned for degrees and/or certificates and for various post-graduate credentials, including the university’s first graduates of the aeronautical sciences program.
Candidates represented the College of Arts and Sciences; Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani College of Hawaiian Language; College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management; College of Natural and Health Sciences; College of Business and Economics; and Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy.
Graduates stand for photos by family and friends at UH Hilo’s 2023 Spring Commencement, May 13, Edith Kanaka‘ole Stadium, Hilo. (Spencer Honda/Athletics)
The university posthumously awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to legendary kumu hula and composer Edith Kekuhikuhipu‘uoneonāali‘iōkohala Kenao Kanaka‘ole (1913-1979) in recognition of her contributions toward the preservation and revitalization of the Hawaiian language and culture. Last weekend, the campus and local community celebrated Kanaka‘ole’s life with a large public event.
The family of Edith Kekuhikuhipu‘uoneonāali‘iōkohala Kenao Kanaka‘ole (1913-1979) stands for a photo after Aunty Edith was posthumously awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. Standing in foreground, from left, Gail Makuakāne-Lundin, grandniece; Lei Kapono, grandniece; Nāmele Kapono, great-grandniece; Kamāmalu Killion, great-granddaughter; Hikiola Kanahele, great-grandson; Keahiloa Kanahele, great-granddaughter; Nālani Garmon, granddaughter; and Sig Zane, son-in-law. Behind on dais, from left, UH Regent Alapaki Nahale-a; Nālani Kanaka‘ole, daughter (youngest child); UH System Vice President for Academic Strategy Debora Halbert; and UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. (Jo Mischon/University Relations)
Keynote speaker at commencement was Justina Taft Mattos, associate professor of drama at UH Hilo. Sean Kauāakeakua “Kauā” Segundo, an undergraduate receiving his second bachelor’s degree, with a double major in Hawaiian language and linguistics, was student speaker. His remarks were given in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) with an English summary in the commencement program.
Special guests included UH Regent Alapaki Nahale-a and UH System Vice President for Academic Strategy Debora Halbert.
UH Hilo administrators, a UH System vice president, and a UH regent pose for photo. Front row, from left, Director of the College of Business and Economics Todd Inouye; Chancellor Bonnie Irwin; Director of Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani Keiki Kawai‘ae‘a; Associate Professor of Drama Justina Mattos (keynote speaker). Standing from left, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Chris Roney; Interim Dean for Student Affairs Chris Holland; Interim Dean of the College of Natural and Health Sciences Brian Wissman (at back); UH Regent Alapaki Nahale-a; Dean of the College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management Bruce Mathews; Chair of the Humanities Division Celia Bardwell-Jones; Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Michael Bitter; UH System Vice President for Academic Strategy Debora Halbert; Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs Carla Ho‘a; and Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy Miriam Mobley Smith. (Matlyn Ua/Admissions)
