Handshakes are back on for today's University of Hawai'i-Manoa spring commencement ceremonies after all — if that's what a graduate wants.

UH-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw yesterday said packets of hand sanitizer will be placed on each of the chairs during the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies. Students can choose to receive a handshake along with their diploma.

More than 1,500 bachelor candidates are eligible to attend the undergraduate ceremony this morning. Nearly 800 graduate-degree candidates are eligible to participate in the afternoon ceremony.

Hinshaw's announcement came on the day the state Department of Health confirmed six more cases of swine flu in Hawai'i, bringing the state total to 21.

Fifteen of the cases have been confirmed in the past three days.

Hinshaw, an influenza specialist, had said that UH-Manoa would forgo handshakes at today's ceremonies because of concerns over swine flu.

In an e-mail to students yesterday, Hinshaw noted that the decision had stirred much debate.

"I also recognize that this is a joyous occasion for our graduates and that congratulatory handshakes are part of the celebrations," Hinshaw said. "For those graduates who feel comfortable doing so, we welcome you to celebrate your achievements with the traditional handshake. For those who remain uncomfortable with shaking hands, we certainly respect that choice, because our graduates need to make their own decision."

Having hand sanitizers available enables the school and the student to "accomplish both best practices and the pleasure of our traditional handshake," Hinshaw said.