Fall 2024 semester begins today!
New students were welcomed to campus last week with kīpaepae welcoming ceremony, convocation, enrichment workshops, wahi pana travel in Hilo, and campus tours.
By Susan Enright.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s fall semester starts today. After a stormy weekend that caused flooding, flight cancellations and road closures in East Hawaiʻi and elsewhere on the island, Chancellor Bonnie Irwin announced last evening that the first day of classes would commence today as planned.
The chancellor assured the ʻohana of new students that “we take care of our students and we are well equipped to handle emergency events and harsh weather conditions.”
“Mahalo to all who have been there to support our newest Vulcans and resident students over this opening weekend!,” Chancellor Irwin wrote in an email blast sent out to the campus community on Sunday evening.
Last week was filled with orientation activities for the university’s newcomers. There was a kīpaepae (traditional Hawaiian welcome ceremony) with convocation and enrichment workshops on Wednesday, groups embarked on wahi pana (travel to legendary and historical places in the Hilo area) on Thursday, and campus tours on Friday. Saturday’s events were canceled due to the storm.
It is expected that some students who had planned to arrive over the weekend via air will need to reschedule their plane tickets due to cancellations of flights during the storm. Chancellor noted in her message that some students from Puna with classes today may have road closures in their area because of flooding and debris. Faculty and staff are aware of these potential delays and will do all they can to accommodate students as they make their way to campus for classes and labs.
I mua!
Story by Susan Enright, a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.
