University of Hawaii-West Oahu

The idea for opening a second UH campus on O ʻ ahu formed in the mid-1960s over concern that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa could not accommodate everyone. [ 21 ] In 1966 the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus. [ 22 ] In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West O ʻ ahu College. [ 23 ] Kosaki proposed a new campus to serve the growing population in Leeward O ʻ ahu, where college attendance lagged other areas on the island. [ 24 ] Opponents held that another campus was not needed and would take resources from other campuses. [ 25 ] The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975. [ 26 ] It opened in January 1976 enrolling 75 students at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools. [ 27 ] It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea , [ 28 ] offering day and evening classes. [ 29 ] The institution gained WASC accreditation in February 1981 and moved adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City . [ 30 ] It began outreach programs in 1981 and 1983 sending faculty to Kauaʻi and Maui to teach classes on weekends. [ 31 ] 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. [ 32 ] It began planning to become a four-year institution. [ 33 ] UHWO added lower-division curricula in 2007, and in 2012 moved to a newly built campus in Kapolei . [ 34 ] 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. [ 35 ] [ 36 ]

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. [ 37 ] 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. [ 38 ] More information Race and ethnicity, Total ... Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023 [ 39 ] Race and ethnicity Total Asian 35% Two or more races 34% Hispanic 15% White 8% Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander 4% Black 2% International student 1% Economic diversity Low-income [ a ] 35% Affluent [ b ] 65% Close 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 ]

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 ]

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. [ 43 ]