University of Hawaiʻi facts for kids
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| Motto | Maluna aʻe o nā lāhui āpau ke ola ke kānaka (Hawaiian) |
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Motto in English
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"Above all nations is humanity" |
| Type | Public higher education system |
| Established | 1907 |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $491.36 million (2023) |
| President | Wendy Hensel |
| Students | 50,310 |
| Location |
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U.S.
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| Campus | 3 universities, 7 community colleges, 5 research centers, 3 university centers, 4 education centers |
| Colors | Green and black |
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The University of Hawaiʻi System is the public higher education system for the state of Hawaii. It is often called UH for short. This system helps students earn different types of degrees. These include associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
The system has three universities and seven community colleges. It also includes an employment training center and several research and education centers. These schools are spread across six islands in Hawaii. All schools in the University of Hawaiʻi System are officially recognized. Their main offices are in Honolulu, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Contents
History of the UH System
The University of Hawaiʻi System was created in 1965. This brought together the state's technical and community colleges. They all became part of the original University of Hawaiʻi.
Early Beginnings
The first University of Hawaiʻi started in 1907. It was a college focused on agriculture and mechanical arts. Its first classes were held that same year. In 1912, the college moved to its current spot in Mānoa Valley. It was then renamed the College of Hawaii.
In 1919, the College of Hawaiʻi became a full university. It was officially renamed the University of Hawaiʻi. Later, in 1972, it was renamed the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. This new name helped tell it apart from other schools in the growing UH System.
Schools in the UH System
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the main school in the system. It was founded as a special type of college called a land-grant college. This means it received land from the government to help teach practical subjects.
University Campuses
Mānoa offers many different study programs. These include Hawaiian and Pacific Studies, Astronomy, and Marine Science. You can also study Botany, Engineering, Law, and Medicine there.
The second largest school is the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. It is located on Hawaiʻi island and has over 3,000 students. The University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu is in Kapolei. It mostly serves students who live in the western and central parts of Honolulu.
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (started 1907)
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (started 1945)
- University of Hawaiʻi at West Oʻahu (started 1976)
Community Colleges
The University of Hawaiʻi Community College System has seven campuses. Four are on Oʻahu, and one each is on Maui, Kauaʻi, and Hawaiʻi. These colleges make it easier for more Hawaii residents to take classes. They also offer an affordable way to go from high school to college.
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
- Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo
- Hawaiʻi Community College at Pālamanui
- Honolulu Community College
- Kapiʻolani Community College
- Kauaʻi Community College
- Leeward Community College
- Windward Community College
Specialized Schools
The UH System also has schools for specific careers.
- Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy (for pharmacy)
- John A. Burns School of Medicine (for medicine)
- William S. Richardson School of Law (for law)
- Shidler College of Business (for business)
Research and Education Centers
The system includes various centers for research and learning.
- Center for Philippine Studies
- Cancer Research Center of Hawaiʻi
- East-West Center
- Haleakalā Observatory
- Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute
- Institute for Astronomy
- Institute of Marine Biology
- Lyon Arboretum
- Mauna Kea Observatory
- W. M. Keck Observatory
- Waikīkī Aquarium
- University of Hawaiʻi Center West Hawaiʻi
- University of Hawaiʻi Center Kauaʻi
- University of Hawaiʻi Center Maui
- Molokaʻi Education Center
- Lānaʻi Education Center
- Hāna Education Center
- Waiʻanae Education Center
- Lāhainā Education Center
How the UH System is Managed
The University of Hawaiʻi is managed by a group called the Board of Regents. This board has 15 members who are not paid. They are chosen by the governor and approved by the state legislature. The board makes all the important decisions for the university system. They also choose the president of the University of Hawaiʻi.
Student on the Board
Since 1997, a current student has been part of the Board of Regents. This student is chosen by the governor of Hawaiʻi. They serve for two years and have a full vote on the board.
Famous People Who Attended UH
Many well-known people have studied at the University of Hawaiʻi.
Leaders and Public Servants
- Senators Daniel Inouye and Tammy Duckworth both served in the U.S. military. They later became important government leaders.
- President Barack Obama's parents, Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham, went to the Mānoa campus. They met there in a Russian language class. His mother earned three degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi.
- Mazie Hirono is a current U.S. senator. She earned a degree in psychology from the University of Hawaii. She is the first woman elected senator from Hawaii. She is also the first Asian-American woman in the Senate.
Pioneers and Innovators
- Alice Augusta Ball was the first woman to graduate from the College of Hawaiʻi in 1915. She was also the first African American research chemist and teacher in the chemistry department. She developed a special form of chaulmoogra oil. This oil was used for many years to help people with Hansen's disease (leprosy).
Artists and Performers
- Bette Midler and Georgia Engel are successful entertainers.
- Composer Hsiung-Zee Wong also attended the University of Hawaiʻi.
Notable Teachers at UH
The University of Hawaiʻi system has had many important teachers.
- Georg von Békésy was a Nobel Laureate who taught there.
- Ryuzo Yanagimachi is a scientist who helped develop a way to clone animals from adult cells. He is still a teacher at the university.
- In 2019, Bob Huey received a high honor from Japan. He is a professor of Japanese literature.
