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Ka‘ana Mana‘o: An all-access pass to convocation fall 2026

This past Monday, our quiet summer campus awakened to the sounds we love to hear -- new and returning students buzzing from class to class, the former just starting their higher education journeys, the latter continuing on their certificate and degree paths already in progress. Many of us work during the summer, of course, preparing for the new Fall semester. That work culminates with Convocation.

The definition of "convocation" is "a ceremonial assembly of members of a college or university." We're not quite so formal around here. For us, it's a time to reunite. It's a joy to watch as faculty, staff, and administrators arrive at our Pa'ina Building greeting colleagues they may not have seen in several months. Asking about families and vacations and this year, making sure all neighbors, friends, and loved ones are safe in the wake of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Lala.

We always begin gatherings with a chant called "Laukanaka." It was composed by former Hawaiian Studies Professor Ki'ope Raymond to commemorate the completion of the rock wall you see at the entrance to our college. Basically, it means that by always standing tall and working together, we grow and help others to grow in many ways.

Then we celebrate colleagues. We acknowledge retirees -- I like to say those are the folks with the biggest smiles on their faces in the photos we project on the screen! -- and those with 10 and 20 years of service to our college.

We introduce new employees. It is a particular thrill to welcome back our own graduates in new roles. Recent Automotive Technology graduate Jaden Givensel is now a faculty member in that same department and Koa Johnson is now a part-time Fashion Technology Lecturer. Michelle Hutaff, a 2003 LPN (Nursing) Program graduate is now a Registered Nurse who has joined our Campus Health Center team.

We always take a look at enrollment numbers as we approach a new semester. They could be better but there are always bright spots. Last-minute registration is common. And we're confident Early College - high school students taking UHMC courses - and Continuing Education enrollments will have increased.

Budget numbers can be numbing, especially to creative folks. But not to our new Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, Cheryl Reeser. She loves those numbers and was happy to report that our college is operating with a surplus.

Often, there's real news to report at Convocation. And this Fall, it's pretty big news. UH is exploring a proposal to integrate the seven community colleges into the 10-campus system and, with that, institute a new leadership structure. The Vice President for Community Colleges position would be eliminated and community college chancellors would report directly to the UH President.

The primary goal is to optimize program delivery and student mobility by enhancing curricular cohesion and seamless transfer, promoting collaborative program and course sharing, avoiding duplication of effort, offering a unified academic experience, and providing a common standard of care for our students. We are also looking to maximize strategic progress with unified priorities and decision-making, clearer priorities, and a broader focus on statewide workforce and research needs.

The community colleges would have increased voice and accountability, retain efficient shared functions, have integrated strategic leadership, communication and collaboration across all campuses, and provide for enhanced compliance and policies.

There will be challenges, of course -- preserving the identity and strength of each campus, engaged decision making, costs associated with restructuring and implementation, and resistance from stakeholders. These and others that will surely surface are and will continue to be addressed by the Chancellors and the President as discussions continue over the next several months. The bottom line is that the solution lies squarely with what is determined to be the very best for our student outcomes.

Sometimes Convocation is when we present the germ of a great idea and that was the case last week. Kendal Living & Learning Community is a university-connected model that combines healthy aging, lifelong learning, and intergenerational engagement. We here in Hawai'i know better than most the value of our kūpuna and if we can, in the future, use our college assets to foster purpose, wellness, and connection, it is definitely something worth exploring. And we are.

With the business concluded, we always end Convocation in the most traditional island way -- we all have lunch together.

For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit https://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.