Photos: UH Hilo 2023 Spring Commencement

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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.

Three female graduates decked in lei. In the foreground are people taking the trio's photo with cell phones.
Graduates stand for photos by family and friends at UH Hilo’s 2023 Spring Commencement, May 13, Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, Hilo. (Photo: Spencer Honda/Athletics/UH Hilo)

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo celebrated 2023 Spring Commencement on May 13 at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium. The ceremony also was livestreamed (also recorded for later 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 ʻUla O Keʻelikolani 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.

The university posthumously awarded the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to legendary kumu hula and composer Edith Kekuhikuhipuʻuoneonāaliʻiōkohala Kenao Kanakaʻole (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 Kanakaʻole’s life with a large public event.

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 ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) with an English summary in the commencement program.

Photos by Matlyn Ua, Tyler Dela Cruz, Jo Mischon, and Spencer Honda.

Before the event: Kihei, photos, anticipation!

On the top of candidates mortarboard, red glittery: PSYCHED i wen HOʻOMAU.
A candidate’s mortarboard. (Photo: Matlyn Ua/Admissions/UH Hilo)
Large group of university administrators in full regalia.
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 ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa; 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 Hoʻa; and Interim Dean of the College of Pharmacy Miriam Mobley Smith. (Photo: Matlyn Ua/Admissions/UH Hilo)

Ceremony

Large outdoor setting , wooden ceiling. Administrators on the dais at left with Chancellor Irwin speaking at the podium, candidates are seated to the right, audience is in the far background.
Chancellor Bonnie Irwin (left at podium) opens UH Hilo’s 2023 Spring Commencement at Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium, May 13, 2023. (Photo: Jo Mischon/University Relations/UH Hilo)
Family members and UH administrators on the dais.
The family of Edith Kekuhikuhipuʻuoneonāaliʻiōkohala Kenao Kanakaʻole (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 Kanakaʻole, daughter (youngest child); UH System Vice President for Academic Strategy Debora Halbert; and UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. (Photo: Jo Mischon/University Relations/UH Hilo)
The large group of candidates for degrees, dressed in black and red regalia, move their tassels from right to left.
After all candidates received their diplomas, everyone moves their mortarboard tassels from right to left, symbolizing the commencement of a new chapter in life. (Photo: Jo Mischon/University Relations/UH Hilo).
Chancellor Irwin with the students and guests in the background.
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 Kanakaʻole Stadium. (Photo: Bonnie Irwin)

Celebration

Two graduates with lei. Big smiles.
Students, decked in lei, pose for photo after the ceremonies. (Photo: Spencer Honda/Athletics/UH Hilo)
Large family with two graduates who are piled with lei. Lots of big smiles.
Graduate with ʻohana. (Photo: Matlyn Ua/Admissions/UH Hilo)

Photos by Matlyn Ua, Tyler Dela Cruz, Jo Mischon, Spencer Honda, and Bonnie Irwin.

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