New Veteran Student Support Center Blessed at UH Hilo
A new Veteran Student Support Resource Center was blessed at the University of Hawaii at Hilo this week. The center aims to provide essential support and opportunities for student veterans on campus.
The center, a cozy room on the second floor of the Student Services Building, is decorated with flags of every service branch. It offers a range of services, including connecting veterans to local and national businesses, state and federal agencies, and veterans service organizations for employment opportunities. Volunteers, such as Ben Fuata, guide veterans through the process of accessing benefits.
The center also addresses mental health by providing a calendar of social gatherings to help offset depression or feelings of isolation. It will coordinate with trade unions to offer career opportunities and internships in fields like carpentry or electrical for veterans.
As of the fall semester, 108 students at UH Hilo were using VA benefits. The center is expected to significantly improve support for these students.
The center was initiated by Navy veteran and UH Hilo student Josh Sze, who started the Hawaii Island Veterans Club in 2023. Sze expressed the need for such a center due to the lack of support and guidance he faced after his service ended. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda visited the center and praised its potential impact on veteran students.
