Hokoana Named UH Student Affairs VP

By Wendy Osher

Lui K. Hokoana, UH courtesy photo.

Lui K. Hokoana, has been named associate vice president of student affairs for the University of Hawai’i System. Hokoana began his career at UH in 1991 as a counselor at UH Maui College. He also served as the director of the Liko A’e Native Hawaiian Scholarship Program.

“Lui is an experienced and seasoned student affairs leader who is attuned to community needs, especially as related to Hawaiian affairs, and will be a welcomed addition to the system office,” said Rockne Freitas, UH System vice president for student affairs and University/Community relations.

In his new capacity, Hokoana will lead the Office of Student Affairs, overseeing programs that prepare Hawaii students who pursue education in Hawaii and beyond.

This office serves as administrative liaison for the Hawai‘i Commission for National and Community Service and the National Corporation of Community Service, and interacts and collaborates with public and pre-K through 20 schools and educational institutions. The Student Affairs Office also oversees three statewide programs—WICHE, Leveraging Educational Assistance Program, and the State Approving Agency for Veterans’ Benefits—which impact Hawai‘i students who wish to pursue their education in Hawai‘i and beyond.

Hokoana also served as vice chancellor for student affairs at Windward Community College. While there, he led the campus’ Achieving the Dream initiative to unprecedented growth in financial aid access as well as enrollment, and secured $12.3 million in Title III funds for the college in 2010.

Hokoana holds a BA in political science from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, an MA in communications from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and an EdD in education from the University of Southern California.