Big Island Organizations & Programs Losing Funding

[randomq]

As of the brain drain in Hawaii weren't bad enough already...

[TomK]

The University of Hawaiʻi President Hensel discusses the potential and real effects of recent administration decisions. If you have a spare hour, it's worth watching.


https://youtu.be/Q6qqbsFsW84?si=TsIRyIShs4CGrG6l

[kalianna]

Hereʻs an update from the Hakalau Forest.  This is from their newsletter:

We submitted a Letter to the Editor at the Star-Advertiser and answered questions from many journalists locally and across the country. That following week we developed the SAVE OUR SEEDLINGS campaign which was launched on February 23rd. Our fundraising goal was to provide refuge support and cover at least two of the vital positions which were lost.

Here's a quote from the passionate Eric Hamren, the Nursery Manager, whose position was terminated; “I was 2 months away from being past probation, a period in which we can legally only be fired for poor performance. My reviews only show exceptionally high performance. All of that ended on Friday with no consideration to my merit.”

We have since received overwhelming support from 263 donors -mahalo nui loa to each of you. But we have one final request – a very generous donor from Oahu offered $50,000 if we could match that amount. We just need $27,795 to make that goal – please help if you can.

[Punatang]

The University of Hawaiʻi President Hensel discusses the potential and real effects of recent administration decisions. If you have a spare hour, it's worth watching.


https://youtu.be/Q6qqbsFsW84?si=TsIRyIShs4CGrG6l

I have not had that hour yet Tom but hopefully Josh was able to alleviate some or all of it with a well timed phone call.  

Gov. Green secures federal support for Univeristy of Hawai‘i, restores webpage honoring the 442nd Regimental Combat Team

At 4:30 a.m. on March 11, Green said he spoke to high-level administration officials including the Deputy Chief of Staff for the White House and a Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, explaining that while there was a little on-campus conflict during the recent war in Gaza, it paled in comparison to what’s gone on at other universities.

“I explained that while there was We are not an institution that is antisemitic,” Green said. “We’re giving them a letter to fortify our position, but they assured me the University of Hawai‘i is not on the chopping block for antisemitism.”
Through these efforts, the federal administration reaffirmed its commitment to upholding civil rights while maintaining funding streams that support research, education, and student services at the university.

https://bigislandnow.com/2025/03/17/gov-...mbat-team/

[TomK]

Thanks. If and when you do get a chance to watch the video, this was addressed. Although I'm not a UH employee, I've been impressed with Hensel as the new president, and she's certainly better than the previous president. Let's see if she gets worn down by local politics, though.

[ironyak]

I do also recommend the video Tom posted from the UH president - her background in labor law gives her some keen insights on both the legal and political landscape with which the university has to contend with as well as plans for tackling various logistical issues arising from the haphazard cuts (like raising and providing support for grad students recently stranded when their promised federal stipends were cancelled).

Federal cuts to agriculture in Hawaii also making the national news, including impacts in Laupahoehoe.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-ameri...rcna198550
"In Hawaii, where 90% of food is imported, farmers who offset imbalance now face cuts
Since the Trump administration paused funds, local farmers are in survival mode, they say. "
(more at link)

Tariffs on food imports and cutting support for local farmers really going to be inflating those grocery bills. I guess let them eat cake (donuts)!