By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Staff Writer

Evan Dobelle, soon to be the 12th president of the University of Hawai‘i system, drank coffee with community college students and faculty as he began his tour of the UH campuses.

Dobelle worked his way across the O‘ahu community college campuses today and visited UH West O‘ahu. Tomorrow he will go to Maui and Big Island campuses and tour Kaua‘i on Friday.

Dobelle begins his tenure as UH president this summer.

He made a brief speech at Kapi‘olani Community College cafeteria, and when no one asked questions he simply sat down at a table and talked with a group of about 25 people.

“I understand what it’s like to work and get a degree under difficult circumstances,” Dobelle said, praising the community college system.
Donna Lynch, a faculty advisor at Kapi‘olani community college, said Dobelle gave her a firm handshake. “He looked me in the eye. He said, 'I’m here to help you.' With this guy we can go to the moon.”