UH Maui College Hui Lei Ola lei-making workshop. Photo courtesy UH Maui College

Academics, of course, are the foundation of higher education and our top priority. But there’s more to college life than classes and here at UH Maui College we believe that an engaged and active campus community is integral to the success of our students during their college years and beyond.

That’s where Rondy Arquero comes in. She’s our new Student Life Director and her purview covers everything from our Esports team to more than a dozen campus clubs to Student Government. “My mom was an elementary teacher. I had to help her every summer and I vowed to never go into teaching,” says Arquero.

Then, at Pacific University in Oregon, she realized how rewarding teaching is and she studied to become an art teacher. She came home right after college … and taught at Maui High School for more than 20 years.

It was during her tenure there that she saw “how a vibrant, engaging campus can have a huge positive impact on a student’s success and overall sense of belonging.” Her own college career originally made her a believer. “Student Life is what I cherish most from my college years,” Arquero says. “It’s the time outside the classroom where students can find their place and create a lifelong network. These experiences and connections are invaluable assets that students will carry with them throughout their personal and professional futures.”

What academics do for the brain, MauiFit — a well-equipped gym right on our campus — does for the body. It is a hub for the entire UHMC ‘ohana, regardless of fitness level. Membership is free to all currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff. “The facility is open Monday through Saturday and we have a variety of equipment including free weights, cable machines, cardio machines, yoga equipment, and a heavy bag with combat sports gear such as shin-guards and boxing gloves,” explains MauiFit student manager Cristian Ray Cadiz. MauiFit also collaborates with the campus Kinesiology (KINES) club which offers weight training, volleyball, weekly runs, and a weekly pickleball game.

UH Maui College MauiFit. Photo courtesy UH Maui College

Since 2022, Cadiz has participated in student government as secretary and treasurer. “I have also acted as MauiFit’s senator. In that role, I am the connection between our members and Student Life,” he says. “It’s important that we maintain that connection to provide the best experience for our members. For the last four years, MauiFit has been my main gym and I have been able to both watch and take part in its constant growth.”

One of many campus clubs, Hui Lei Ola is centered on ‘ike Hawai’i or Hawaiian knowledge. The name reflects the club’s purpose and values. “‘Hui’ represents a community coming together, ‘lei’ symbolizes connection and the sharing of culture, and ‘ola’ speaks to life and well-being. Together, the name expresses our mission to create a space where cultural practices are lived, shared, and continue to thrive through meaningful relationships with people and ʻāina,” explains club president Kapua Dukelow.

Hui Lei Ola is an integral part of Student Life, contributing to both campus and community events. “Students can come together to learn, share, and perpetuate Hawaiian traditions in a hands-on way,” says Dukelow. The club regularly hosts workshops that teach lei making, ways to make natural dyes, lomi massage, and more. The club welcomes everyone — those familiar with Hawaiian culture and those who, in Dukelow’s words, “are just beginning their journey.”

Hui Lei Ola’s guiding principle is this ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) — “I ulu nō ka lālā i ke kumu.” It is translated as “The branches grow because of the trunk” or “Without our ancestors, we would not be here.” “The club’s officers,” says Dukelow, “carry that kuleana to build and strengthen that foundation for those who come after us. Through our actions, leadership, and the way we share ʻike, we aim to honor the past while actively shaping a strong and grounded future for our community.”

As we rapidly approach the 2026-2027 academic year, Arquero’s goals are to energize our Student Government and support the growth of the clubs. “They provide a community where students have similar interests and can really create a deep sense of belonging.”

To learn more about Student Life, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/studentlife For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.