FEATURE ASUHWO Advocacy

‘Right now, there are vacancies in positions that need representation’

BY CARLEY MATSUMURA

The 12th Senate of the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i –West O‘ahu currently consists of four members: the President, Vice-President, Public Administration Senator, and Senior Class Senator. Last semester, these individuals worked in several ways to address issues a ecting our student body.

The President, Lindsey Millerd, provides more detail. “Members pursued initiatives like creating club incentives, an anonymous online forum, and transparency about the library’s temporary closure.” campus. Meetings occurred over the summer as members continued to work toward making a di erence in the community.

“During the summer, members brainstormed primary areas we’d like to address in the fall like increasing in-person engagement and starting on-campus childcare,” said Millerd.

Part of ASUHWO’s purpose is to encourage student participation.

“Serving in the ASUHWO student government provides an opportunity for students to engage in meaningful discussion with faculty, sta and administrators about issues most concerning to UHWO students,” said Rouel Velasco, the advisor of ASUHWO.

He urges students to get involved.

“Right now, there are vacancies in positions that need representation.” special steps to use this on the rail. You must push the emergency telephone call box located near fare gates and show your school ID with its U-Pass sticker to a sta member to let you in.

Without a U-Pass, you must purchase a Holo card to load, which you can purchase and load at the entrance of rail stations or at participating stores like 7-Eleven, Foodland, and Times. It costs $3 for 2.5 hours of unlimited rides on the rail or bus transfers. Skyline’s hours are 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. On weekends and city holidays the hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

According to the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART), the project will be expanding in phases. The Airport Extension segment which will bring you to the airport and end at Kalihi transit center is projected to be open sometime in 2025. The final City Center segment ending at Ala Moana is projected to be done in 2031. While we wait for the expansion, there is lots to enjoy on the current route and it’s definitely a worthwhile transportation option to try.

The organization grants its members a unique position. They have the power to enact real change on campus and the responsibility to represent the will of their constituents, the students of West O‘ahu, while doing so.

Mikaela “Mika” Briones, the Vice President, touches upon her involvement last semester.

“I had the opportunity to serve our students in multiple ways. I wrote a few bills to support the graduating class to fund refreshments and a resolution to identify our support on having menstrual products available and free in our restrooms.”

Among the resolutions written by ASUHWO was one in support of the development of a food pantry on

Briones discusses: “We had the amazing opportunity to fund the #HeadingWestBound Fair and Summer Bash as an opportunity for students to connect with organizations on campus and have fun before the semester starts.”

A way to celebrate students for their accomplishments, the Summer Bash took place on campus. Signaling a return to campus life that has been missing during pandemic times, the event involved cotton candy, shave ice, and water slides.

“It was a great collaboration with the Kauluhāweo Native Hawaiian Student Success Program and their team,” adds Briones.

With the start of the new semester comes the opportunity to become involved with the community.

General Elections for the 12th Senate concluded last spring. However, for those interested in running for one of the sixteen available positions, special elections will be held in the fall.

“Looking forward, we will continue to develop on last semester’s pursuits and tackle new issues” — Millerd

“We want our peers to be comfortable coming to us with concerns and ideas, so we create more awareness and provide the opportunities for students to express their opinions.”

Follow ASUHWO on Instagram @asuhwo and email asuhwo@hawaii.edu to convey your interest in partaking in the special election!