I join the entire UH Hilo community in expressing profound sympathy to the people of the Gulf Coast who are struggling with the aftermath of Katrina. The extent of the disaster is hard for any of us to comprehend, and I have met with campus academic and administrative leadership to assess how we at UH Hilo can best offer assistance to those in need.

Each campus in the UH system is doing all it can to offer support to those UH students who have ties to the affected region. We are also exploring ways we can offer assistance to faculty, researchers, and students at affected colleges and universities so that they may continue their research and studies during this semester.

I know several chancellors and presidents of universities in the New Orleans area and have been in contact with them to share my friendship and support. There are students from the impact zone who are transferring to UH Hilo this week, including exchange students from the University of New Orleans as well as returning residents. I understand there are UH Hilo faculty and staff who have offered housing to displaced students — this is really the aloha spirit at work.

I encourage faculty, staff, students, and alumni to donate what you can to the relief effort — there are links to many agencies on the Federal Emergency Management Agency web site. Responding to people’s needs is what a university is all about, and I thank you for helping during this time of crisis. I know I speak on behalf of our entire ‘ohana when I say that our hearts go out to all those affected by Hurricane Katrina.