Photos and video: 2024 UH Hilo Fall Commencement
The event honored the accomplishments of 220 students who completed their graduation requirements during the summer and fall of 2024. Of these, 114 graduates — mostly from the fall semester — took part in the commencement ceremony.
(Commencement ceremony starts at 28:33)
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo celebrated 2024 Fall Commencement on Dec. 21 at the UH Hilo Vulcan Gymnasium.
Students 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 the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy. The event honored the accomplishments of 220 students who completed their graduation requirements during the summer and fall of 2024. Of these, 114 graduates — mostly from the fall semester — took part in the commencement ceremony.
Student speaker
The student speaker at commencement was Puʻuwai Tollefson-Kelly, a communication major also earning a certificate in educational studies.
As a kanaka ʻōiwi, Tollefson-Kelly is deeply rooted in values that honor her culture and foster meaningful connections. Working at the Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center allowed her to live these values, building pilina (relationships) through authentic interactions. She served as a peer mentor at Kīpuka, which included supporting the the university’s kuleana and community courses (IS 150) since fall 2022. She also participated in numerous community service initiatives both on and off-campus. Her dedication earned her the UH Hilo Overall Group Ka Lama Kū Leadership Award and the Department of Communication Academic Excellence Award. Passionate about education and service, she looks forward to combining her skills and values to make a lasting impact on her community. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a master of arts in teaching at UH Hilo with the goal of becoming an educator dedicated to uplifting her kaiāulu (community).
Photos by Tracey Niimi/TN Photography, click to enlarge.
