‘First-day jitters’: University of Hawaii welcomes 50K students back to school for fall semester

News admin August 25, 2026 0 Comments

‘First-day jitters’: University of Hawaii welcomes 50K students back to school for fall semester

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaiʻi started its new school year Monday, welcoming 50,000 students across 10 campuses.

At the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus, students returned without the usual celebratory fare. The school postponed Welina Mānoa, the official first-day welcome event, to next Wednesday due to potential impacts from Tropical Storm Moke.

Despite the delayed kickoff, students told Hawaii News Now they were excited for the new school year.

Junior Emili Phomsouvanh, who is majoring in journalism, said she was “super excited, but also leading up to today, I’ve been getting first-day jitters like I always do.”

“Just got to hit the first couple of days of my classes, then I’ll be like a normal pro again,” she added.

Enrollment holding steady

While many universities across the continent are dealing with declining enrollments, UH Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis Syrmos said the UH system’s numbers have held steady.

“Our students want to come here. It is a campus and a destination of choice,” Vassilis said, citing affordable tuition as a major factor.

“It’s $11,000 for two semesters, $14,000 with fees. That is an extremely affordable education at a premier global flagship institution. There are very few institutions like ours in the country,” he said.

For local students like Phomsouvanh, the combination of affordability, quality, and proximity to family made staying in Hawaii an easy decision.

“I was just like I have no choice but to experience it myself close to home. A lot of my friends are here. Why should I go so far away?” said Phomsouvanh, who was born and raised in Honolulu.

Focus on student success

UH President Wendy Hensel said the university is infusing resources across all 10 campuses to boost graduation rates and prepare students for a rapidly changing job market.

A major focus this year is integrating artificial intelligence directly into the curriculum across disciplines.

“AI is really all through the workforce now, so we are working hard to get it in the curriculum, to have applied apprenticeships and internships so people can do some hands-on experimentation,” Hensel said. “We are also upgrading all of our technology to make sure that our students have the latest and the best.”

RELATED VIDEO: UH President Wendy Hensel outlines university priorities, federal funding cuts

Phomsouvanh advised incoming freshmen and transfer students to take part in the unique student life the university offers.

“Say yes to anything you can. Just go to those events, join those clubs, get involved. You’ll meet wonderful, amazing people here and it’ll be quite life changing, I will tell you,” Phomsouvanh said.

Fall athletics underway

Excitement is also building outside the classroom as UH Athletics gears up for the fall season.

Athletics Director Matt Elliott said the department’s top priority remains supporting its 500 student-athletes both in their studies and on the field.

“Our first pillar — our vision for excellence — is creating an outstanding student-athlete experience,” Elliott said, noting that the goal is to allow student-athletes “to pursue their dreams academically and athletically and have all the support they need to be successful.”

To recruit talent, Elliott highlighted the program’s focus on identity, pointing to football head coach Timmy Chang’s emphasis on building a “brotherhood.”

“Building a culture of people who want to be together, be part of this community, and then represent the entire state. That’s what our coaches are out there doing,” Elliott said.

Hawaii News Now is the broadcast partner for UH Athletics, with more than 100 games airing live on K5, including three consecutive days of Wahine volleyball matches this weekend.