University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (UHWO) is a public college in Kapolei, Hawaii. It is part of the University of Hawaiʻi system. It offers baccalaureate degrees in liberal arts and professional studies. UHWO opened in January 1976. In 1981 it was accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission or its predecessor.^[7] In 2007, the school added first- and second-year subjects, becoming a four-year college.^[8]

University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

Former name	West Oʻahu College (1976–1989)
Motto	Maluna aʻe o nā lāhui āpau ke ola ke kānaka (Hawaiian)[1]
Motto in English	"Above all nations is humanity"
Type	Public college
Established	1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Parent institution	University of Hawaiʻi
Accreditation	WSCUC
Endowment	$491.36 million (2023) (system-wide)[2]
Chancellor	Maenette K. P. Ah Nee-Benham[3]
President	David Lassner[4]
Academic staff	123[5]
Students	2,944 (Spring 2018)[6]
Location	Kapolei , Hawaii , United States 21.3552°N 158.0564°W / 21.3552; -158.0564
Campus	Large Suburb, 300 acres (1.2 km2)
Newspaper	The Hoot
Colors	UH West O'ahu Red   Black
Nickname	Owls
Mascot	Pueo
Website	westoahu.hawaii.edu

Aerial view of the East Kapolei campus in 2013

Campus in 2015

In 2019 UHWO was the US' fastest-growing public baccalaureate college. It has one of the most diverse student populations among four-year public institutions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.^[9][10] It is the University's newest campus.^{[11][circular reference]} It was established in part to provide access to higher education in Leeward Oʻahu.^[12]

The college offers undergraduate education. It enrolled 3,182 students in fall 2018, many from Leeward Oʻahu.^[13][14] UHWO also reaches students around the state with its Distance Learning program. About 10 percent of UHWO 's enrollment listed another island as their permanent address.^[15][16][17]

As of 2017 UHWO had the highest percentage of distance and online courses and programs and the highest percentage of part-time students in University of Hawaiʻi.^[18] UHWO supports the study of Hawaiian language, history and culture.^[19] The student:faculty ratio is 24:1.^[20] Tuition is among the lowest in the nation.^[21]

History

The idea for opening a second UH campus on Oʻahu formed in the mid-1960s over concern that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa could not accommodate everyone.^[22]

In 1966 the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus.^[23] In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West Oʻahu College.^[24] Kosaki proposed a new campus to serve the growing population in Leeward Oʻahu, where college attendance lagged other areas on the island.^[25]

Opponents held that another campus was not needed and would take resources from other campuses.^[26]

The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975.^[27] It opened in January 1976 enrolling 75 students at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools.^[28] It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi,^[29] offering day and evening classes.^[30] The institution gained WASC accreditation in February 1981 and moved adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City.^[31] It began outreach programs in 1981 and 1983 sending faculty to Kauaʻi and Maui to teach classes on weekends.^[32]

In 1989 the school’s name changed to the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu to better identify it as part of the University of Hawaiʻi System.^[33] It began planning to become a four-year institution.^[34] UHWO added lower-division curricula in 2007, and in 2012 moved to a newly built campus in Kapolei.^[35]

An Administration and Health Science building was added in 2018, and construction on a building for the Academy for Creative Media began in January 2019.^[36][37]

Academics

UHWO offers degree programs and concentrations that emphasize liberal arts and practical applications, including creative media, cybersecurity, facilities management, and sustainable community food systems. Students choose among eight degree offerings with more than 40 concentrations. Average class size in Fall 2018 was 20 students.^[38] UHWO also offers the following eight certificates: Applied Forensic Anthropology, Asian Studies, Disaster Preparedness & Emergency Management, Gender Studies, Health Care Administration, Music, Risk Management & Insurance, and Substance Abuse & Addictions Studies.^[39]

Distance learning

UHWO offers in-person and online classes. Twenty-nine percent of students were enrolled exclusively in distance education courses in Fall 2017; 38 percent took at least one such course.^[40]

University of Hawaiʻi System Community College students on Neighbor Islands can pursue online four-year degrees and certificates at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu.^[41] Classes may also be delivered through interactive television and in person.^[41] Three degrees and 12 concentrations are available.^[41]

Campus

The campus is located on 500 acres of former sugarcane land. The campus’ property includes a separate 991-acre parcel located above the H-1 Freeway.^[42]

Clubs and organizations

Accounting Club

. The UHWO accounting club was created in 2000 to network students with professionals and prepare their skills for the accounting industry.^[43]

Student National Education Association

The Student National Education Association (SNEA), also known as Education Club, helps students to improve and expand their knowledge of the teaching profession. SNEA provides an opportunity for future teachers to connect with local teachers and participate in the national student leadership conference.^[44]

Associated Students of University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

ASUHWO is an organization of the student body government committee that helps support student groups and organizes school functions and funding.^[45]

Athletics

UHWO features an intramural sports program. The program is available to all enrolled students. The program includes of five sports including: flag football, volleyball, basketball, soccer and softball. The school’s mascot is the pueo, an owl native to Hawaii.^[46]

Chancellors

• Maenette K.P. Benham 2017–^[47]
• Rockne C. Freitas 2013-2016^[48]

References

1. Otsubo Monument Works Archived 2020-07-02 at the Wayback Machine, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, DLNR, page 85
2. As of June 30, 2023. "U.S. and Canadian 2023 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2023 Endowment Market Value, Change in Market Value from FY22 to FY23, and FY23 Endowment Market Values Per Full-time Equivalent Student" (XLSX). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). February 15, 2024. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
3. UH West Oʻahu Chancellor's Office webpage/
4. "Office of the President :: University of Hawaii System". www.hawaii.edu.
5. "General Catalog".
6. "University of Hawaii System | 10 campuses across the Hawaiian Islands".
7. "Accreditation is coming soon". westoahu.hawaii.edu.
8. "UH-West Oahu Makes Headway | West Coverstory | Midweek.com". archives.midweek.com.
9. "Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2005-15". Chronicle of Higher Education. August 13, 2017. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
10. "Colleges with the Greatest Racial and Ethnic Diversity". Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
11. "The University of Hawaii at Hilo". Wikipedia. Retrieved July 22, 2019.. See infobox - Established.
12. Edward Kormondy (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The First Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 5. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
13. "Enrollment (Census)". University of Hawaii System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
14. "Quick Enrollment Facts Dashboard". University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Bottom left corner. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
15. "Reaching across the water: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu students graduate on neighbor Islands". University of Hawaii News. 10 June 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
16. "2018-2019 Statistical Quick Reference Guide" (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
17. "Reaching across the water: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu students graduate on the neighbor islands". University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. June 4, 2019. 5th paragraph. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
18. "Integrated Academic and Facilities Plan for the University of Hawaiʻi System" (PDF). Hawaii.edu. April 20, 2017. pp. 8, last paragraph. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
19. "Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao". University of Hawaii. Paragraphs 1 and 2. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
20. "UH West Oahu: At a Glance | University of Hawaii System".
21. "University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, Hawaii". citytowninfo.com.
22. Kormondy, Edward (2010). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 7, first paragraph. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
23. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. xv. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
24. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 2, 5th, 6th paragraphs. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
25. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 3, 3rd, 4th paragraphs. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
26. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. 6, 7. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
27. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. xvi. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
28. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. 12, xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
29. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
30. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi - West Oahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
31. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
32. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xvii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
33. Kormondy, Edward. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaii-West Oahu. p. 41. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
34. Kormondy, Edward (2010). The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu: The first Forty Years 1966-2006. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. pp. xviii. ISBN 978-0-8248-3506-4.
35. "Campus Insights". University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Strategic Action Plan. 1st paragraph. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
36. "University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu's Administration and Health Science building celebrated, showcased". E Kamakani Hou. 12 December 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
37. "Construction on Creative Media facility begins as dignitaries gather for groundbreaking". E Kamakani Hou. 11 January 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
38. "Course Registration Report" (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi System Institutional Research & Analysis Office. p. 34. Retrieved July 22, 2019.
39. "Certificates". University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
40. "University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Peer Institution Revision 2019" (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Institutional Research. p. 27. Retrieved July 29, 2019.
41. "University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog". 2019–2020. p. 136. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
42. ""A tour of UH West Oahu lands"". University of Hawaii News. September 30, 2014. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
43. "Home | Accounting Club at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu". acctclubatuhwo. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
44. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Education Club, https://www.sneauhwo.org/about-us, retrieved on 12 April 2018.
45. "The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu". The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
46. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Intramural Sports, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/im/about-us/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
47. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Chancellor's Office, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/about-us/chancellors-office/, retrieved 12 April 2018.
48. University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog (Kapolei, Hawaii: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, 2015-2016), page 5.

External links

• Hawaii portal

• Media related to University of Hawaii–West Oahu at Wikimedia Commons
• Official website