A new era at the University of Hawaii will dawn with the new year, now that Wendy Hensel has been selected as the UH system’s 16th president. In January, Hensel succeeds David Lassner, who’ll retire after 11-plus successful years at the helm. Hopes are high, as Hensel goes after the high hurdles achieved under Lassner — and residents will certainly be watching to ensure that she’s worth every single dollar of a bumped-up presidential salary.