UH Hilo Vet Center Now Open

UH Hilo’s Veteran Student Services Resource Center (VSSRC) is now open. The space, located in room E232 of the UH Hilo Student Service Center, is dedicated to veterans and their families to network, connect, and get support through campus and community-connected programs.

Pelehonuamea Harman, UH Hilo’s director of Native Hawaiian engagement, blesses the new Veteran Student Services Resource Center (VSSRC)

“This non-judgmental, supportive space will have such a positive impact on our veteran community on this campus,” said Josh Sze, a Navy veteran, UH Hilo student, and founder of the Hawaiʻi Island Veterans Club. “Just having a place where a group of vets can just listen to you — not tell you what to do, not try to control your journey, not say you’re wrong or dismiss you — but to honor you and validate your experience; where you can just be seen.”

Sze says he’s spent the last two years working to make this dream come true and he’s incredibly grateful for support from key community leaders, like Congresswoman Jill Tokuda who toured the space while on campus.

Congresswoman Jill Tokuda meets with veterans and students during UH Hilo tour and visit to VSSRC ahead of Open House

“Every single student and person in there has sacrificed on behalf of our country in some way, and what I know sadly is we have failed them in many ways, we have to do better,” said U.S. Congresswoman Jill Tokuda, HI-02. “I truly appreciate the fact that here at UH Hilo, they actually have a place to gather together. The room was full. They need even more space, quite frankly. But the outreach they’re doing, the connections they’re making, the advocacy that they have just provided is going to make a huge difference in our ability to serve them better.”

Organizers hope the VSSRC will become a homebase for services that can supplement or fill gaps left by the VA system.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Commander Ben Fuata called the center a “power projection platform” for collaboration between education, community, and industry. “This is where education and opportunity come together,” he said. “Now that we have a space, we can attract state and federal partners, private industry, and community organizations to bridge the gap between learning and real opportunities for veterans. So this is a start. We don’t know what we don’t know, but I am hopeful that the future is brighter than it was yesterday.”

During an Open House to celebrate the new VSSRC, UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin praised the swift progress from idea to implementation. “One of the most important things we do with the university is we serve — our students, our community — and what better way than through those who have served our country.”

“We may have to find them a bigger space — but for now, we’ve got a place to start. We’ve got people who are dedicated to our veteran student success, and I’m just so excited to move forward,” said Irwin.

The center will serve as a hub for both UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College students who are veterans, service members, or military-affiliated family members. According to the UH Hilo Registrar’s Office, this fall, 108 students at UH Hilo are enrolled using VA benefits.

Sze says he hopes the VSSRC will become a beacon of hope for those who’ve served and who often struggle with navigating a complex benefits system.

“What we're trying to build is something special that is supportive to you. So whatever the needs are, we’re here to support you,” said Sze.