The University of Hawaii is a postsecondary education system composed of ten campuses throughout the 50th state. The UH community college system has four campuses on Oahu and one each on Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii, making college classes accessible and affordable and easing the transition from high school to college for many students. The University is also committed to increasing access to its programs throughout the state. If not for the distance education master's degree programs in business administration and social work, bachelor's degree programs in education and liberal studies, and certificate programs in allied health areas, many students in small, isolated communities would be denied the benefits of higher education.
All campuses use a semester calendar, with two terms per academic year, plus summer sessions.
University governance is vested in the Board of Regents, appointed by the governor of Hawaii. The regents in turn appoint a president of the University, who also serves as chancellor of the Manoa campus.