Lui K. Hokoana joins UH West O'ahu as vice chancellor for student affairs

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana

The University of Hawai‘i - West O‘ahu recently welcomed Dr. Lui K. Hokoana as vice chancellor for student affairs. In this capacity, he is responsible for campus-wide planning and policy formulation and ensures that student affairs programs, services and activities are aligned with the academic mission and strategic goals of UH West O‘ahu.

Hokoana provides leadership for the delivery and administration of a full-range of student affairs programs including enrollment management, admissions, outreach, academic program advising, student orientation and registration, financial aid, activities, counseling, cultural advising, health and wellness, judicial affairs, first-year experience and retention, and career development. As a member of the university’s senior staff, he is responsible for overseeing the budget and material resources of the Student Affairs department and developing a comprehensive learning environment with a successful program of student retention that complements UH West O‘ahu’s strategic plan for recruitment and enrollment.

“Lui comes to UH West O‘ahu with a wealth of student affairs experience at the University of Hawai‘i System and other UH campuses,” said UH West O‘ahu Chancellor Rockne Freitas. “He puts students first and is a true advocate for the student experience at the university.”

“I am excited to be a part of an administration team committed to creating a student-centered learning environment for the students at UHWO,” said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lui Hokoana.

Prior to joining UH West O‘ahu, Hokoana served as the associate vice president for student affairs at the University of Hawai‘i System, and was responsible for providing systemwide leadership in planning, organizing, directing, evaluating and coordinating the University of Hawai‘i System’s student affairs. This includes initiating, developing and coordinating student affairs programs, policies and procedures related to systemwide activities.

He joined the University of Hawai‘i in 1991 as a counselor at Maui Community College, where he developed and implemented the Liko A‘e Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program that provides scholarships to students throughout the country. In 2006 he was named vice chancellor of student affairs at Windward Community College. Under his leadership, the Achieving the Dream initiative resulted in unprecedented growth in enrollment and financial aid access for students, and he helped secure $12.3 million in U.S. Department of Education Title III funds for the college.

Hokoana holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UH Hilo, a master’s degree in communications from UH Manoa and an a doctorate degree in education from the University of Southern California.

About UH West O‘ahu

UH West O‘ahu became a four-year, regional comprehensive university when it served its first class of freshmen in fall 2007. The University offers quality education, small classes and personalized attention at convenient locations. UH West O‘ahu serves approximately 2,400 students at its brand new, state-of-the-art campus that opened in the City of Kapolei in 2012. For more information, visit uhwo.hawaii.edu, twitter.com/uhwestoahu, facebook.com/uhwestoahu or call (808) 689-2800 or toll-free (866) 299-8656.