Photos: UH Hilo Student Orientation Week, campus welcomes the newest Vulcans!

Posted on August 23, 2019January 11, 2026 by Staff

The newest Vulcans are enjoying four days of activities, workshops, fairs, van tours, target shuttles, and various socials to create a connection with the UH Hilo community.

Group of students poses on the plaza. — New Vulcans on the Campus Center Plaza for the start of UH Hilo Student Orientation activities on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Four students sit at a cafe table near the plaza. — First Year Experience staff and new students wait for the start of events.

Large group of students. standing, listening to man on mic. — The new class gathers for the introduction to orientation activities. At left in red dress is Chancellor Bonnie Irwin.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is welcoming new students to campus this week. The newest Vulcans are enjoying four days of activities, workshops, fairs, van tours, target shuttles, and various socials to create a connection with the UH Hilo community.

The activities started on Wednesday when the new students and their families met at the Campus Center Plaza to learn more about campus resources, and then the group walked together to the Mookini Library lānai where each student was welcomed with a ti leaf lei made by members of the campus community over the past few weeks. The group then made their way to the Performing Arts Theater for the official New Student Convocation. Wednesday (and Thursday) also included Parent and ʻOhana Orientation seminars and other activities. The week concludes with a pool party at the Student Life Center on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Orientation Week is organized by staff from the First Year Experience Program with the support of the Division of Student Affairs and in collaboration with partners across campus.

Walk to Convocation Begins, New Students Given Ti Leaf Lei

Chancellor Irwin leads the group to the library lānai.

Group of young women walking to the library lānai.

Close up of two students walking with the group.

Three students, one wearing t-shirt with the word WARRIORS.

Yound men and women walking to the lānai.

Young woman in floral dress, hair in multiple braids.

Three young women smiling and laughing as they walk.

Close up of young man with bright red hair.

Close up of two young women walking together.

Close up of young woman walking, waving to camera.

Close up of a young woman in white top, smiling as she walks.

Young woman stands holding multiple ti leaf lei draped on her arms, ready for others to give to students.

Young woman in head lei, smiling, about to give student a ti leaf lei.

Young woman in head lei give ti leaf lei to female student.

Young woman in head lei gives young man a ti leaf lei.

Young woman in head lei presents young womn with long black hair with ti leaf lei.

Norman Arancon gives ti leaf lei to student.

Convocation

Group on stage blowing conch shells and beating drums.

Length-wise view of conch shell blowers and drum beaters.

Large auditorium filled to capacity with students and family. Group on stage doing traditional ceremonies.

Male hula dancers with arms outstretched in front of themselves.

The group who performed the ceremonies lines up on stage at the conclusion of event.

Photos by Nyssa Kushi, Director of Institutional Marketing at University Relations, and Maria Andaya, Technology and Education Specialist at Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.