Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 30, Number 3, 1 Malaki 2013 — Freitas named UH-West Oʻahu chancellor [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Freitas named UH-West Oʻahu chancellor

Former Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Rockne Freitas has been named ehaneellor of the University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu by the University's Board of Regents. Freitas is the

first Native Hawaiian to lead a baccalaureate campus. Freitas will succeed Gene Awakuni,

who is retiring. Freitas will assume the helm of UH-West O'ahu on May 1. UH President M.R.C. Greenwood said: "Rockne Freitas has been instrumental in developing the UH system's efforts to heeome the model indigenous-serving university in the nation, 'Hawai'i Papa O Ke Au.' The UH-West O'ahu campus will serve some vital populations in the area, including Native Hawaiians, Filipinos and other important groups." Freitas has served as the vice president for student affairs and university and community relations for the University of Hawai'i system. He has also served as chancellor of Hawai'i Community College. Freitas played in the NFL for 1 1 years and was a three-time All-Pro. Freitas said: "I was a C student in high school and athletics was a pathway to higher education achievement. To have reached this point in my educational career is a humbling reminder to me and hopefully for young children out there who hunger to better themselves. If I ean do it, you ean too." — Garett Kamemoto

Freitas