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Category: Announcements

Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin elected to WASC Senior College and University Commission

Published August 7, 2025 by admin

WSCUC commissioners play a central role in shaping the accreditation agency’s work, setting strategic priorities, establishing standards for institutional quality, and determining accreditation status of member institutions.

Portrait of Bonnie Irwin.
Bonnie D. Irwin

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin has been elected to the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the regional accrediting agency for colleges and universities in the western United States and the Pacific including UH Hilo.

Irwin is among eight new members welcomed to the commission in July. The new 2025-2026 commissioners are a group of executives with deep experience in academic and student affairs, assessment, finance, policy, law, and other key areas that help drive quality and accountability at WSCUC-accredited institutions.

“I am both honored and humbled to be elected to the WSCUC commission,” says Chancellor Irwin. “I look forward to advancing the standards and values of higher education in this new role and the opportunity it gives me to help other campuses achieve their goals as we continue to pursue our ambitious goals at UH Hilo.”

WSCUC commissioners play a central role in shaping the agency’s work, setting strategic priorities, establishing standards for institutional quality, and determining accreditation status of member institutions through formal actions. Commissioners are elected each spring by the presidents of WSCUC-accredited institutions following a nomination process led by WSCUC’s nominating committee. They serve an initial three-year term and may be reappointed for a second term.

In Irwin’s new role as a WSCUC commissioner, she not only brings her experience as chancellor of UH Hilo and an officer of the UH System since 2019, but also her previous experience in senior academic leadership roles at CSU Monterey Bay and Eastern Illinois University. Chancellor Irwin is active in both local and national organizations, serving on boards focused on economic development, stewardship, public radio, and higher education leadership.

She was recently elected to the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and will serve as vice president of the board and chair of the chamber’s Committee on Economic Development. She also serves on the boards of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, the ʻIole Stewardship Center, and Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Irwin has served on the Hawaiʻi State and County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Strategic Advisory Committees, and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Regional Engagement and Research Council. She is a fellow of the National Collegiate Honors Council and previously served as president of that organization, as well as a board member and treasurer of the American Conference of Academic Deans.

Irwin earned her bachelor of arts, master of arts, and doctor of philosophy in comparative literature from the University of California, Berkeley.

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Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce welcomes UH Hilo Chancellor Irwin as new board member

Published May 6, 2025 by admin

Group of four stand for photo. Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce logo is in background.
At the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting on April 30, from left, County of Hawaiʻi Managing Director Bill Brilhante; UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin; featured speaker at the meeting First Hawaiian Bank Chief Investment Officer Steve Rodgers; and County of Hawaiʻi Mayor Kimo Alameda. (Photo: Courtesy HICC)

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin was elected to the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at HICC’s annual membership meeting, April 30. Chancellor Irwin will serve as vice president of the board; the vice president chairs the chamber’s Committee on Economic Development.

“I am excited to serve our community in this new way, and I look forward to strengthened relationships between UH Hilo and our local employers,” says Chancellor Irwin.

Carla Kuo pictured.
Carla Kuo (File photo)

Carla Kuo, executive officer of the chamber says she’s thrilled to welcome Chancellor Irwin as the 2025-2026 vice president and chair of the economic development committee. The committee works to enhance general business on Hawai‘i Island and supports a stable and healthy economy.

“Her deep commitment to education and innovation, along with her insight into our island’s evolving workforce needs, will be a tremendous asset as we work together to support sustainable economic growth in East Hawaiʻi,” says Kuo.

Group photo, seated at luncheon table, other people at event in the background.
At the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting on April 30, from left, Grand Naniloa Resort General Manager Niklas Dahm; (standing) First Hawaii Bank General Manager Chuck Erskine; County of Hawaiʻi Director of Finance Diane Nakagawa; County of Hawaiʻi Treasury Division Head Chris Nakano; and UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. (Photo: Courtesy HICC)
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Message to Faculty and Staff: Annual UH Foundation calling campaign underway

Published September 18, 2024 by admin

Large group of students with the chancellor pose for photo, all throwing the shaka.
Chancellor Irwin (center) meets with student fundraisers on Sept. 16, 2024, at the Student Calling Center in Honolulu. (Photo by Ty Yamaguchi/UH Foundation)

This message was sent to UH Hilo faculty and staff via eblast on Sept. 18, 2024.

Aloha kākou,

We are excited to announce that the UH Foundation Fundraising Calling Drive is currently in progress.

After spending time with the student fundraisers, I was impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and interest in UH Hilo. It’s clear that their dedication and enthusiasm will make a meaningful impact. They will represent our campus well with donors and alumni.

If you receive inquiries regarding the nature of these calls, please know that they typically begin with a brief update on contact information before transitioning into the fundraising appeal.

Should you have any questions or need further clarification, please feel free to reach out.

Mahalo for the many ways you support our university, our community, and especially our students,

Bonnie

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Kuleana and Community: UH Hilo launches weekly talk story events, open to the public

Published September 10, 2024 by admin

Bonnie Irwin and Gerald DeMello in lei pose for photo.
Chancellor Bonnie Irwin (left) at the Sept. 6 “Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story” featuring Gerald DeMello (right), former director of UH Hilo’s university relations and external affairs now retired, who talked about his advocacy for showcasing Hawaiʻi history via plaques, wall murals, and walking tours in Hilo and the former plantation town of Honokaʻa. (Courtesy photo)

The Office of the Chancellor at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is co-sponsoring a series of weekly gatherings where students, faculty, staff, university retirees, and members of the local community get together in a safe and welcoming environment to share their thoughts around a common topic.

Colby Miyose pioctured
Colby Miyose

The goal of the series, named Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story: Building Community Through Conversation, is to strengthen the university’s connections to the local community through conversation. Topics cover Maunakea stewardship, mental health, better communication, houselessness in Hawaiʻi, entrepreneurship, and more. Following a short talk by a featured guest, attendees break out into discussion groups and then share their manaʻo with everyone.

The program launched Aug. 30 with Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose, a co-organizer of the weekly events, who shared his thoughts on “Communicating with Empathy.”

On Friday, the second of the series featured Gerald DeMello, former director of UH Hilo’s university relations and external affairs now retired, who talked about his advocacy for showcasing Hawaiʻi history via plaques, wall murals, and walking tours in Hilo and the former plantation town of Honokaʻa.

Bonnie Irwin pictured
Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin

“The topic of preserving our local history was something every person in the audience could relate to,” says Chancellor Bonnie Irwin who attended the event. “Gerald DeMello is such an engaging speaker and deeply committed to preserving our local history.”

Schedule of upcoming talk-story events

The talk story events take place on Fridays, 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at the Kilohana Academic Success Center, which is located on the first floor of Edwin Mookini Library. All members of the university community and the general public are invited. Light refreshments are served.

Upcoming talk story events this fall through November 15:

  • Sept. 13: Charmaine Higa, “Small Shoulders, Big Worries: Understanding Childhood Anxiety in a Post-Pandemic World”
  • Sept. 20: Randy Kurohara, “Our Responsibility for Health”
  • Sept. 27: Clifton Sankofa, “Reclaiming Health Through Food”
  • Oct. 4: Kaleo Pilago, Maunakea Stewardship
  • Oct. 11: Beverly Tese, Prizma Hawaiʻi LGBTQ Center
  • Oct. 18: Carla Kuo, Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce
  • Oct. 25: Brandee Menino, Hope Services
  • Nov. 1: Mike Miyahira, UH Regent and business owner
  • Nov. 8: Julie Mitchell, Kuikahi Mediation Center
  • Nov. 15: Sue Lee Loy, Hawaiʻi County Council Member

Sponsors

Carolina Lam pictured
Carolina Lam

The Kuleana and Community Weekly Talk Story events are sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, Kilohana Academic Success Center, Center for Global Education and Exchange, with support from Assistant Professor of Communication Colby Miyose and Associate Professor of Sociology Alton Okinaka.

“This series is about more than just conversation, it’s about building relationships and expanding our understanding of the world,” says Carolina Lam from the Center for Global Education and Exchange. “Through these talks, we hope to create a community that learns from one another and encourages curiosity about life beyond our island’s boundaries.”

Read full story at UH Hilo Stories

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Chancellor announces Pele Harman as inaugural director of Native Hawaiian Engagement

Published June 8, 2024 by admin

Pele Harman pictured.
Pelehonuamea Harman (Photo: Daniella Zalcman)

Chancellor Irwin sent this announcement via email to the UH Hilo community on May 31, 2024. It is published here on Chancellor’s Blog following Pele Harman’s appointment confirmation this week by the UH Board of Regents and UH President David Lassner.

Aloha kākou,

It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Pelehonuamea Harman as UH Hilo’s inaugural Director of Native Hawaiian Engagement, pending notice on the June 6, 2024, Board of Regents Agenda and approval by President Lassner. Ms. Harman is scheduled to start in this role, which is of strategic importance to our university, on July 1, 2024, and we are confident in her ability to lead in this crucial area.

Ms. Harman brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position, given her two-plus decades of experience in the Hawaiian Immersion Education context, teaching learners of all ages in UH Hilo’s own K-12 laboratory school of Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu through to our Kahuawaiola Teacher Education program of Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani (KHʻUoK). She is also a proud alumna of UH Hilo, having graduated from KHʻUoK with her BA in Hawaiian Studies, Teaching Certificate from Kahuawaiola, and Master’s in Hawaiian Language and Literature.

As a haumana ʻuniki of Kimo Alama Keaulana, Pelehuonuamea – alongside her kāne Kekoa Harman – is a Kumu Hula of Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo, one of Hawaiʻi mokupuni’s hālau hula focused on raising new generations grounded in the practices of hula from a strong foundation of Hawaiian language fluency.

We are deeply honored and grateful to have Ms. Harman return to our UH Hilo ʻohana. Her acceptance of this role and her willingness to share her rich lineage of Hawaiian language and cultural knowledge as a moʻopuna kuakahi (great-granddaughter) of Mary Kawena Pukui, one of the University of Hawaiʻi’s most esteemed scholars of Hawaiian knowledge, is a testament to her commitment to our shared journey of reclaiming this ʻike in our endeavors moving forward as a university.

Pelehonuamea joins the growing Hawaiʻi Papa o Ke Ao team being established throughout our University of Hawaiʻi campuses that will be working in concert to develop, implement, and assess strategic actions to make the University of Hawaiʻi a leader in indigenous education.

Me ke aloha,

Bonnie D. Irwin, Chancellor

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