Kalei Rapoza appointed UH Hilo vice chancellor for administrative affairs
Kalei Rapoza’s appointment takes effect July 21, 2023. He replaces Carla Hoʻa, who resigned.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin today announced the appointment of Kalei Rapoza as vice chancellor for administrative affairs following the July 20, 2023, UH Board of Regents meeting at which Rapoza was confirmed. Rapoza’s appointment takes effect July 21, 2023. He replaces Carla Hoʻa, who resigned.
“We are indeed fortunate to have Kalei Rapoza join the senior leadership team as vice chancellor,” says Irwin. “His years of experience on campus and in the state will serve our campus well. Iʻm excited to get to work with our new team.”
Rapoza was most recently UH Hilo interim director of strategic initiatives and government affairs, a position he held since Jan. 2023. In that role, his primary duties included chief liaison and representative for the chancellor and other senior officials to the university community, direct legislative issues and proposals, and served as campus oversight for campus-level legal reviews.
Prior to that, Rapoza was UH Hilo interim vice chancellor for administrative affairs from 2017 to 2022, director of human resources from 2016 to 2017, and associate director of human resources from 2013 to 2016.
Before joining UH Hilo, Rapoza was a personnel specialist for labor relations with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education from 2008 to 2013.
Rapoza received his bachelor of science in family resources from UH Mānoa and his juris doctor from UH Mānoa William S. Richardson School of Law.
