University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu

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File:Aerial view of University of Hawaii - West Oahu.jpg

Aerial view of the East Kapolei campus in 2013

File:University of Hawai'i - West O'ahu(1).jpg

Campus in 2015

The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (UHWO; also known as University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu) is a public college in Kapolei, Hawaii, United States. 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2007, the school added first- and second-year subjects, becoming a four-year college.<ref name="midweek.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, UHWO was the fastest-growing public baccalaureate college in the US. It has one of the most diverse student populations among four-year public institutions, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education.<ref name="Fastest Growing">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=Diversity>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It is the university's newest campus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}. See infobox - Established.Template:Circular reference</ref> It was established in part to provide access to higher education in Leeward Oʻahu.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> UHWO supports the study of Hawaiian language, history and culture.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The college offers only undergraduate education. It enrolled 3,182 students in fall 2018, many from Leeward Oʻahu.<ref name=Enrollment2>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=IAFP>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

History

The idea for opening a second UH campus on OTemplate:Okinaahu formed in the mid-1960s over concern that the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa could not accommodate everyone.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1966 the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents approved a plan calling for the opening of such a campus.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1970, UH executive Richard Kosaki was appointed chancellor for the proposed school known as West OTemplate:Okinaahu College.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Kosaki proposed a new campus to serve the growing population in Leeward OTemplate:Okinaahu, where college attendance lagged other areas on the island.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Opponents held that another campus was not needed and would take resources from other campuses.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The college was approved by the Board of Regents as an upper division school in 1975.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It opened in January 1976 enrolling 75 students at Mililani, Campbell and Pearl City high schools.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It moved later that year to a Newtown Square office building in ʻAiea,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> offering day and evening classes.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The institution gained WASC accreditation in February 1981 and moved adjacent to Leeward Community College in Pearl City.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It began outreach programs in 1981 and 1983 sending faculty to Kauaʻi and Maui to teach classes on weekends.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It began planning to become a four-year institution.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> UHWO added lower-division curricula in 2007, and in 2012 moved to a newly built campus in Kapolei.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

University of Hawaiʻi System Community College students on Neighbor Islands can pursue online four-year degrees and certificates at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu.<ref name="Distance Education">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Classes may also be delivered through interactive television and in person.<ref name="Distance Education" /> Three degrees and 12 concentrations are available.<ref name="Distance Education" />

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref>University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Intramural Sports, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/im/about-us/, retrieved 12 April 2018.</ref>

Chancellors

• Maenette K.P. Benham, 2017–present<ref>University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu Chancellor's Office, https://www.uhwo.hawaii.edu/about-us/chancellors-office/, retrieved 12 April 2018.</ref>
• Rockne C. Freitas, 2013–2016<ref>University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu General Catalog (Kapolei, Hawaii: University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu, 2015-2016), page 5.</ref>

External links

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