Author: Gayle Hamasaki

Attention Principal Investigators: Nominate your Project Staff for the 2025 RCUH Outstanding Employees of the Year Awards

These awards encourage, recognize, and reward RCUH employees who have made demonstrable, significant, and exemplary contributions to their project during the past fiscal year (July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025) or years. The nominee(s) must be in a Regular-status position, employed by the nominating program for at least one (1) year, have passed their new hire probation period, and in good standing (which includes completion of all required training).

CATEGORIES

  1. Researcher/Project Manager/Professional (exempt status position)
  2. Project Support Staff (non-exempt status position)
  3. Team (2-4 staff in exempt and/or non-exempt positions)

AWARDS

  • $1,000 to the first-place awardee in each category
  • $500 to the second-place awardee in each category
  • $100 to each nominee
  • Team awards for first and second place will be shared equally among team members.

NOMINATIONS

A Principal Investigator (PI) may submit one (1) nomination. Team nominations are limited to no more than four (4) individuals per team.

Each category will be limited to five (5) nominations, which includes one (1) alternate*. Due to the category limits, PIs must indicate their intent to submit a nomination by emailing [email protected] during the period May 19-June 6, 2025. (Intents are taken in the order received.) The email should include the employee’s name and nomination category. Upon eligibility verification, RCUH will provide the PI with a nomination form. The deadline to submit the completed and signed nomination form is July 18, 2025.

*The alternate will be advanced only when a nominee is ineligible or withdraws.

This year, there will be no interviews and filming of nominees and PIs, and no annual awards luncheon. We hope that projects will find a way to include their entire staff in celebrating their honoree(s).

For more information, please refer to policy 3.450 Outstanding Employee of the Year or contact RCUH Corporate Services at [email protected] or 808-956-0504.

DEADLINE EXTENDED – Notice to Attorneys Interested in Providing Legal Services to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii

We have extended the deadline for submissions to Friday, May 23, 2025.

Licensed attorneys who wish to provide specialized legal services to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications and Expression of Interest (SOQ) to RCUH pursuant to HRS § 103D-304.

RCUH is currently looking to contract for legal services in the following areas:

  1. Employment:  Employment, disciplinary, termination, workers’ compensation and discrimination/retaliation issues. Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
    c. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
    d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

  1. Employment:  Employee benefits, including retirement benefits. Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
    c. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
    d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

  1. Immigration: Temporary visa and/or immigrant visa applications. Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Completing and filing temporary and immigrant visa applications and related documentation (previous experience representing employers in the application process is essential); and
    c. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.
  1. Tax: Payroll, IRS compliance, foreign payroll and/or nonresident alien and foreign entity contractor payments (crossover immigration experience preferred), IRS compliance. Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, internal policies, and other legal requirements.
  1. Maritime: Charter, third-party vessel, and other marine-related agreements; marine insurance terms and policies. Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto; and
    b. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, insurance policies/terms, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

Please email your SOQ to: [email protected] by Friday, May 23, 2025, to be eligible for consideration. SOQs received after May 23, 2025 will be classified as “late submittals” for the balance of the fiscal year. Late submittals will be considered for services beginning October 1, 2025, unless it is received after September 30, 2025, in which case the submittal will be considered for services at the start of the following quarter (i.e., January 1, 2026 or April 1, 2026).

SOQ forms are available here.

Fiscal Year-End June 30, 2025

Important Dates:

Monday, June 30, 2025Last Check Run for FY 2025 (Payments must be approved by 12:00 noon)
Thursday, July 3, 2025RCUH Financial System scheduled to reopen First Check Run for FY 2026 (4:00 PM)

RCUH Financial Portal purchasing, payment, and travel transactions must be approved by Fiscal Administrators by 12:00 noon on Monday, June 30, 2025 to be included in FY 2025. The last check run for the fiscal year will be on Monday, June 30, 2025. Pending transactions will remain in the RCUH Financial Portal and will not be automatically deleted or disapproved.

From June 30, 12:00 noon through July 2, online purchasing, payment, and travel transactions can be created, but Fiscal Administrators will not have the ability to approve transactions. Transactions will not be posted to project accounts until the RCUH financial system is reopened for FY 2026, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2025. The first check run for FY 2026 is scheduled for Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM.

On an emergency basis only, manual checks can be issued during this period. Fiscal Administrators should contact RCUH Disbursing at [email protected].

Project reports will be accessible on the Financial Portal. However, report balances will only reflect transactions posted through June 30, 2025, until system processing resumes on July 3, 2025. During this period, UH Project Fiscal Reports may reflect incorrect amounts and balances until opening balances are loaded into KFS for FY 2026 and transmitted to the RCUH financial system.

Please contact RCUH Accounting at [email protected] if you have any questions.

NOTICE TO ATTORNEYS INTERESTED IN PROVIDING LEGAL SERVICES TO THE RESEARCH CORPORATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

Licensed attorneys who wish to provide specialized legal services to the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) for Fiscal Year 2026 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026), are invited to submit a Statement of Qualifications and Expression of Interest (SOQ) to RCUH pursuant to HRS § 103D-304.

RCUH is currently looking to contract for legal services in the following areas:

  1. Employment:  Employment, disciplinary, termination, workers’ compensation and discrimination/retaliation issues.  Services shall include but not be limited to:

    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
    c. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
    d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

  1. Employment:  Employee benefits, including retirement benefits.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Providing advice and recommendations regarding responses to claims asserted by current and former employees; 
    c. Participating in negotiations regarding items (a) and (b); and
    d. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.

Previous experience advising employers is essential, and previous experience advising government agencies is preferred.  

  1. Immigration: Temporary visa and/or immigrant visa applications.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto;
    b. Completing and filing temporary and immigrant visa applications and related documentation (previous experience representing employers in the application process is essential); and
    c. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, and other legal requirements.
  1. Tax: Payroll, IRS compliance, foreign payroll and/or nonresident alien and foreign entity contractor payments (crossover immigration experience preferred), IRS compliance.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, internal policies, and other legal requirements.
  1. Maritime: Charter, third-party vessel, and other marine-related agreements; marine insurance terms and policies.  Services shall include but not be limited to:
    a. Drafting, reviewing, and providing advice and recommendations relating thereto; and
    b. Providing guidance on applicable statutes, regulations, insurance policies/terms, internal policies, and other legal requirements.

Please email your SOQ to: [email protected] by Monday, May 19, 2025, to be eligible for consideration. SOQs received after May 19, 2025 will be classified as “late submittals” for the balance of the fiscal year. Late submittals will be considered for services beginning October 1, 2025, unless it is received after September 30, 2025, in which case the submittal will be considered for services at the start of the following quarter (i.e., January 1, 2026 or April 1, 2026).

SOQ forms are available here.

Intramural Account Renewals

To: Principal Investigators and Fiscal Administrators

The continuation of intramural accounts beyond their termination date require a renewal request. If your account(s) is(are) expiring on June 30, 2025, you will receive a reminder email from RCUH Project Administration in mid-April.

It is highly recommended that you submit the renewal request(s) for UH approval as soon as possible. Procurement actions will be delayed on an expired account.

Your prompt attention and submittal(s) are appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Chang at [email protected] or (808) 956-0513.

Payment Approval Deadline for 12/24/24 and 12/31/24

The payment approval deadline on Tuesday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 31 is 12:00 noon. Online payment transactions approved by Fiscal Administrators by 12:00 noon on December 24 and 31 will be included in the daily check print and ePayment file. Please plan accordingly.

The last check run for the calendar year will be on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Month-end processing will commence at 12:00 noon on December 31, 2024. During our month-end (end-of-day) processing, online purchasing, payment, and travel transactions can be initiated, but Fiscal Administrators will not have the ability to approve transactions. Transactions approved after 12:00 noon on December 31 will not be included in project reports for the month of December.

If you have any questions, please contact RCUH Accounting at [email protected].

RCUH Offices Closed on December 11, 2024

RCUH Core Staff offices at the East-West Center Burns Hall will be closed on Wednesday December 11, 2024, for an all-day staff retreat. Emails and voice messages will be periodically monitored; however, responses may be delayed.

HR Portal or Employee Self-Service: If you need help logging in, please go to the Employee Help Resources page: https://www.rcuh.com/work/help-resources/employee-resources/.

Financial Portal: If you need help logging in, please contact [email protected]. If you need assistance with the Financial Portal, please use the Help Widget to create a ticket. The Financial Portal will be open for business as usual, and online vendor payment transactions will be processed in accordance with our normal processing schedule.

Training Portal and eSign: Next-day service will be provided.

Please plan accordingly. We appreciate your understanding and patience. Should you have any questions, please email [email protected].

UPDATE – RCUH Financial Portal Down: Friday, November 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (HST) AND Saturday, November 16, 2024, 9:00 p.m. to Sunday, November 17, 2024, 5:00 a.m. (HST)

The RCUH Financial Portal will be down for system maintenance:

  • On Friday, November 15, 2024, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (HST)
  • From Saturday, November 16, 2024, 9:00 p.m. to Sunday, November 17, 2024, 5:00 a.m. (HST)

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.