The University of Hawai'i Hilo named Dr. Keiki Kawai'ae'a as the new interim vice chancellor for academic affairs fill a vacancy created with the resignation of Dr. Kris Roney.
"As a senior faculty member with a stellar record and numerous ties to the community, Dr. Kawai'ae'a is well prepared to lead academic affairs at this pivotal moment in the history of our campus," Chancellor Bonnie Irwin said in a news release from the university. "I look forward to working with her in this new capacity."
The University of Hawai'i Hilo announced the appointment on Wednesday and expects Kawaiʻaeʻa to begin her new role on Aug. 14, the news release said.
Kawai'ae'a has been serving as the director of Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language since 2013, according to UH Hilo. Additionally, she is an associate professor of Hawaiian Studies, Hawaiian and Indigenous Teacher Education and Graduate Courses.
Her career at UH Hilo began in 1992, when she initially joined as an educational specialist. Her roles expanded over the years and encompassed serving as the founding director of the Kahuawaiola Indigenous Teacher Education Program from 1998 to 2012.
She also held the position of director of Hale Kuamoʻo Hawaiian Language and Culture Center during various periods, from 1995 to 2008 and 2015 to 2018. Notably, Kawaiʻaeʻa played a crucial role as a founding partner of Ulukau, which is Hawaiʻi's Digital Electronic Library.
Kawaiʻaeʻa's involvement goes beyond her administrative roles, according to UH Hilo. She has been instrumental as the principal investigator or co-investigator for several grant awards and contracts. Her active participation spans across local, national, international and Indigenous professional endeavors. Her contributions extend to being a lead author and co-author for research and artistic publications. Her dedication has been recognized through various professional honors, acknowledgments and awards.
Kawaiʻaeʻa will be replacing Roney who resigned from the position in May. According to a message shared by the chancellor, Roney led the academic affairs division through the pandemic and leaves the division with a sound budget, a new academic program and the addition of several faculty administrators to the team.