Enrollment in the University of Hawaii system is down this semester. The UH enrolled 55,373 students for the spring 2013 semester — 1,303 less students than in the spring 2012 semester. 

Enrollment at the UH’s West Oahu campus, on the other hand, has increased. It currently has 1,937 students, up 344 students from last year. 

Kauai Community College also has more students enrolled this year than last. It now has 1,370 students.

Populations at all other campuses, including UH Manoa, decreased. 

UH Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Linda Johnsrud attributed the decrease — particularly that at the community colleges — to the state’s economic recovery. Students turned to the community colleges during the economic downturn for short-term training and are now re-entering the workforce, she said. 

Read more here.

— Alia Wong