Category: Topical Issues

Message from the Chancellor: UH Hilo open Wednesday, August 19

Posted on August 18, 2026August 21, 2026 by Staff

New student check-in and orientation activities will take place as scheduled, and we look forward to welcoming our new haumāna!

All UH campuses closed Monday, August 17

Posted on August 16, 2026August 17, 2026 by Staff

The closure follows Gov. Josh Green’s announcement that state, county offices and public schools will be closed Monday due to Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lala.

Graphic of 5-day projected tracking of storm.

Tropical Storm Lala: Campus Closures Saturday-Sunday 8/15-8/16/26

Posted on August 13, 2026August 17, 2026 by Staff

UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College campus, offices, and off-campus locations will be closed Saturday, August 15 through Sunday, August 16, 2026, for precautionary measures.

Huge lava fountain shooting up from the crater.

UH Hilo data scientist explores AI as support tool for natural hazard intelligence and public communication

Posted on June 3, 2026June 4, 2026 by Staff

With NSF funding over the next year, Associate Professor Sukhwa Hong plans to build and test an AI-agent system using live Hawaiʻi Island volcano feeds, environmental data, and example volcanic and wildfire scenarios.

Large group in the lobby of the astronomy center poses around floor mosaic.

ʻImiloa Astronomy Center welcomes international diplomats, shares knowledge and aloha

Posted on May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 by Staff

The visit was part of Department of Defense program intended for U.S. to showcase unique resources on an international scale and trigger reciprocity across nations.

Student and professor set up telescope in the evening; students and professor set up at their field station at night; image that the students took of galaxy, a burst of white light with pink vapors emanating.

Astrophotos! UH Hilo astronomy students capture dazzling images from atop Maunakea

Posted on March 30, 2026April 28, 2026 by Staff

Students taking an astronomy course on galactic and extragalactic astrophysics traveled up Maunakea, telescopes in tow, to capture images of galaxies for the lab portion of their class.

UH Hilo marine scientist says take heed of today’s Dept of Health brown water advisory

Posted on February 9, 2026February 10, 2026 by Staff

UH Hilo researchers, over the course of many years, consistently find harmful bacteria, including staph and fecal indicator bacteria, in Hilo Bay. It gets worse during storm run-off.

UH Hilo geoarchaeology lab awarded nearly $1M to support rapid, cost-effective analysis of volcanic eruptions

Posted on January 26, 2026June 1, 2026 by Staff

The funding will support the purchase of new, cutting edge technology to expedite rapid, cost-effective analysis of volcanic eruptions, extremely important in rapid response measures for public safety.