UH Enrollment Up, Record Setting Freshman Class at Mānoa

PC: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

A total of 51,063 students enrolled in the University of Hawaiʻi ten-campus system this fall, down 1.2 percent from fall 2017.

It is the smallest overall decrease in the six years following the great recession, when UH hit record high enrollment.

UH Mānoa, is being described by administrators as “a huge bright spot,” with a record setting incoming freshman class boosting the student body size to achieve the first increase after five consecutive years of decline.

Three campuses—UH Mānoa, UH West Oʻahu and Kauaʻi Community College—saw increases in enrollment while seven campuses—UH Hilo, Hawaiʻi CC, Leeward CC, Windward CC, Honolulu CC, UH Maui College and Kapiʻolani CC—saw decreases in enrollment.

“We continue to head in the right direction,” said UH President David Lassner, who also serves as the interim chancellor at UH Mānoa. “We have made great strides at UH Mānoa, and Kauaʻi CC is another success story this year. However, there remains a challenge with the strong economy, particularly at our community colleges. Hawaiʻi needs a more educated workforce and citizenry, and we have to get more students enrolled, keep them in school and graduate them on time.”

Fall 2018 enrollment figures are as follows:

UH System—51,063 students (-1.2 percent)

UH Mānoa—17,710 students (+0.6 percent)
UH Hilo—3,406 students (-3.8 percent)
UH West Oʻahu—3,128 students (+1.5 percent)

UH Community Colleges—26,819 students (-2.3 percent)

Hawaiʻi CC—2,632 students (-6.6 percent)
Honolulu CC—3,541 students (-0.6 percent)
Kapiʻolani CC—6,899 students (-2.8 percent)
Kauaʻi CC—1,486 students (+10.4 percent)
Leeward CC—6,709 students (-1.4 percent)
Maui College—3,092 students (-6.4 percent)
Windward CC—2,460 students (-2.0 percent)