Hawaii’s College Admission Promise: A Step Forward, But Will It Address The Real Barriers?

In a state where barely half of high school graduates pursue higher education—well below the national average—Hawaii’s new Direct2UH program emerges as an ambitious attempt to simplify college admissions for seniors. At first glance, guaranteed admission to community colleges and selective campuses sounds like a commonsense reform aligned with America First values of opportunity and self-reliance. Yet beneath the surface lies a complex web of challenges that threaten to undermine the initiative’s potential.Streamlining Admissions Is Not Enough: What About Financial Aid and Support?Take the story of Shanelle Bartlett, who faced confusion navigating applications and financial aid before eventually securing a...