Education

The 10-campus system brought in over $730 million in extramural funding in fiscal year 2025, but 90% of this is funded through the federal government, putting some at risk of being cut.

Tonata Lolesio, principal of Sacred Hearts School spoke to The Conversation's Catherine Cruz about the wildfires and starting off this academic year in a temporary location in Kāʻanapali.

Back-to-school officially kicked off at Waiʻalae Elementary Public Charter School with an official opening and blessing of a new preschool classroom as part of Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke's larger Ready Keiki initiative.

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel has been appointed to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, which oversees 15 Western states and the U.S. Pacific territories.

Three Hawaiʻi schools each received $5,000 for their campus beautification projects. The winners were the Innovations Public Charter School and Mountain View Elementary School on Hawaiʻi island, and Kalāheo High School on Oʻahu.

Hawaiʻi residents of all ages have been visiting their local libraries for more than just books this summer. HPR contributor Betsy Brown explains how the Summer Reading Challenge has used activities to bring in new readers.

UH JABSOM Dean Dr. Sam Shomaker discussed the school's reaccreditation, the ongoing uncertainty of federal funding cuts, and the search for more medical student housing on neighbor islands.

Amy Nguyen-Chyung, the new business dean at Hawaiʻi Pacific University, discusses the $700,000 gift from John Scarpa aimed at jumpstarting entrepreneurship and innovation.

Students pursuing professional paths, like those in law or medical schools, are limited to $50,000 a year in loans, with a lifetime limit of $200,000. These limits go into effect July 1, 2026. HPR's Emma Caires has more.

Some Hawaiʻi college students say they are entering an uncertain post-graduation landscape with the Trump administration's federal hiring freeze and cuts to research grants. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.