What's Being Discussed

The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents is holding its monthly meeting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy. Key topics include:

• Updates on federal matters, a new administrative software system (Banner), and reports from UH Hilo and Hawaiʻi Community College
• A proposal to create a new Office of Compliance and Ethics within the university's legal affairs division
• An update on a proposed child care center at UH Hilo
• A report on mid-year research funding awards
• How the board can legally weigh in on state legislation under Hawaii's open meetings (Sunshine) law
• Positions on 17+ state bills, covering topics such as student housing aid, Native Hawaiian tuition waivers, Mauna Kea land management, student-athlete name/image/likeness compensation, UH budget flexibility, revenue bonds for construction, and an emergency appropriation for the Maui Wildfire Exposure Study

Decisions Expected

• Approval of new student fees at UH Mānoa
• Approval of the new Office of Compliance and Ethics
• Appointment of Kehau Gomes to the Maunakea Management Board
• Possible board positions or action on multiple pieces of pending state legislation

Who Should Pay Attention

• UH students — especially those affected by fee changes, housing needs, or community college financial aid
• Native Hawaiian students — a bill proposes full tuition waivers for qualifying students
• Student-athletes — legislation addresses name, image, and likeness rights
• Maui residents — wildfire health study funding is on the agenda
• Mauna Kea community members — several bills address land management and observatory leases
• Taxpayers and researchers interested in how UH is funded and governed