PHOTOS & VIDEO: Hirono Visits UH West Oahu to Discuss Programs Supporting Underrepresented Students

HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited the University of Hawaii West Oahu (UHWO) to meet with university staff and learn about programs offered at the University to support underrepresented students, including Native Hawaiians. During her visit, Senator Hirono learned about their Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR), Early College Program, and programs for Native Hawaiian students. UHWO received approximately $15.5 million in CARES Act funds and other disaster relief bills.

“I enjoyed the chance to meet with students on the beautiful UH West Oahu campus to hear about what they’re learning and how federal grants are helping many of them attend college,” said Senator Hirono. “Many of these students are the first in their families to attend college, and with support from federal funding, UHWO is helping them to expand their horizons and reach their full potential. I will continue working to support Hawaii’s colleges and universities, and the students they serve.”

Direct-to-camera video of the Senator discussing her visit, along with b-roll of the Senator speaking with students at the University, is available to download here.

CLEAR is designed to provide labor education, research, and labor-related programs to workers, their organizations, and the general public. The UHWO Early College High School Program Consortium works with the UH System partners to provide educational opportunities to schools who serve college students who come from largely underrepresented backgrounds in higher education. As an Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution (ANNHSI), UHWO has also received funding from this program in order to expand their capacity to serve these students.

Senator Hirono is a longstanding champion of programs that support underrepresented members of our community, particularly Hawaii’s indigenous, Native Hawaiian community. She has consistently advocated for programs that increase the number of low-income students prepared to attend college, and has strongly advocated for the Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institution (ANNHSI) program, which provides grants for institutions with large numbers of Alaska Native of Native Hawaiian students. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono led a letter calling for strong funding for the ANNHSI program and other programs that support Minority-Serving Institutions.

Photos of the Senator’s visit are available here

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