Standing strong

At UH Hilo, resilience isn’t just a concept — it is the sound of faculty, staff, and students showing up for one another and the sight of a community refusing to let a hurricane dampen the spirit of a new beginning. While Hurricane Lala left its mark on the landscape just days before the semester began, it was the unwavering aloha of the Vulcan ʻohana that truly defined the start of Fall 2026.

Per tradition, new students arriving on campus for the start of the school year pose for a class photo with UH Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin during fall 2026 orientation.

Addressing the incoming class during the traditional Kīpaepae welcome orientation, Chancellor Bonnie Irwin highlighted this collective strength. “This campus is resilient,” Irwin shared. “We rise. We work together. We get the job done.”

Chancellor Irwin reflected on the extraordinary effort across campus to prepare for students’ arrival despite the storm's disruption.

Her words echoed across a campus where dedicated staff worked around the clock — clearing grounds and restoring facilities — to ensure that when students arrived, they found a home ready for them.

UH Hilo crews quickly cleared uprooted trees and other debris on campus to ensure the safety of the entire community.

Readying the campus was one thing. Standing with the students was another. Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lei Kapono was on call when Hurricane Lala came through, and rode out the storm in the dorms alongside the residential team.

In the days that followed, the need spread island-wide. Students from South Kona lost their route to Hilo through Kaʻū and now face a longer commute; outages stretched on in Volcano, Puna, and Hāmākua. “Our efforts went island-wide pretty quickly,” said Kapono, “with attention on Kaʻū and the communities in that district that took the hardest hit, making sure our haumāna (students) have the kōkua (help) and kākoʻo (support) they need.”

Members of UH Hilo’s leadership team welcoming new students and families during orientation at Campus Center.

In addition, the Student Life Center is assisting with Hurricane Lala recovery by offering shower access to UH Hilo employees and their immediate household members who lack reliable water or power.

As the first week of classes begins, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa spoke to the heart of UH Hilo’s enduring strength through the Hawaiian concept of hōʻea — the commitment to arrive and fully show up.

Yagin left a lasting impression on new students and families with her inspirational message of community resilience.

UH Hilo Student Association (UHHSA) Treasurer Mindy Yagin echoed that spirit, offering an inspiring metaphor drawn from the island itself. “Hawaiʻi Island teaches us about resilience,” Yagin told the incoming student body. “We have already experienced storms, power outages, and challenges, and we know more storms may come, but we recover. We are like the ʻaʻaliʻi [plant]. We are deeply rooted in who we are, where we come from, and this land. The winds may come and we bend a little, but we hold steadfast, and we continue to grow.”

As the semester kicks off, the story of Hurricane Lala is no longer about a storm, but about the roots that keep this community grounded in mutual support.