University of Hawaiʻi facts for kids
 |
|
| Motto | Maluna aʻe o nā lāhui āpau ke ola ke kānaka (Hawaiian) |
|---|---|
|
Motto in English
|
"Above all nations is humanity" |
| Type | Public university system |
| Established | 1907 |
|
Academic affiliations
|
|
| Endowment | $341.7 million (2020) |
| President | David Lassner |
| Students | 50,310 |
| Location |
,
,
U.S.
|
| Campus | 3 universities, 7 community colleges, 5 research centers, 3 university centers, 4 education centers |
| Colors | Green and black |
 |
|
The University of Hawaiʻi System, often called UH, is a group of public colleges and universities. It offers many types of degrees, from two-year associate degrees to advanced doctoral degrees. UH has three main universities, seven community colleges, and several other learning and research centers. These are spread across six different islands in Hawaii. All schools in the UH system are officially approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The main offices for UH are in Honolulu, at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus.
Contents
History of the UH System
The University of Hawaiʻi System as we know it today started in 1965. It brought together the state's technical and community colleges under one big system. Before this, there was just the University of Hawaiʻi.
The original University of Hawaiʻi was created in 1907. It began as 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 and was renamed the College of Hawaii. By 1919, it became a full university and was called the University of Hawaiʻi.
In 1965, the state government added a system of community colleges to the university. To tell the difference, the original university was renamed the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1972. This new name helped show it was part of a larger system.
Colleges and Universities in Hawaii
The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is the biggest and most well-known school in the UH system. It was founded as a land-grant college. This means it received land from the government to help teach practical subjects. Programs at Mānoa include Hawaiian and Pacific Studies, Astronomy, and Marine Science. You can also study Engineering, Law, Business, and Medicine there.
The second largest school is the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. It is located on the "Big Island" of Hawaiʻi and has over 3,000 students. The University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu is in Kapolei. It mainly serves students who live in the western and central parts of Honolulu.
The University of Hawaiʻi Community College System has four community colleges on O'ahu. There is also one each on Maui, Kauaʻi, and the island of Hawaii. These colleges make it easier and more affordable for Hawaiʻi residents to attend college. They help students move from high school to a university. UH also has education centers in more distant areas. These centers help rural communities learn through online and distance education.
Universities in the System
- University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (started 1907)
- University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo (started 1945)
- University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (started 1976)
Colleges in the System
- University of Hawaiʻi Maui College
Community Colleges in the System
- Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo
- Hawaiʻi Community College in Kailua Kona
- Honolulu Community College
- Kapiʻolani Community College
- Kauaʻi Community College
- Leeward Community College
- Windward Community College
Professional Schools
- Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
- John A. Burns School of Medicine
- William S. Richardson School of Law
- Shidler College of Business
Research Centers
- 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 Learning Centers
- University of Hawaiʻi Center West Hawaiʻi
- University of Hawaiʻi Center Kauaʻi
- University of Hawaiʻi Center Maui
Education Centers
- Molokaʻi Education Center
- Lānaʻi Education Center
- Hāna Education Center
- Waiʻanae Education Center
- Lāhainā Education Center
How the University is Governed
The University of Hawaiʻi is managed by a group called the Board of Regents. This board has 15 members who are not paid for their work. They are chosen by a special council, then appointed by the governor, and finally approved by the state government. The board makes all the big decisions for the university system. This includes how it is organized and managed. They also choose, review, and can remove the president of the University of Hawaiʻi.
Student Regents
The university's governing board always includes a current student. This student is chosen by the governor of Hawaiʻi to serve for two years. They have a full vote on the board, just like the other members. This idea of having a student on the board was approved by the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 1997.
Famous People Who Attended UH
Many famous people have attended schools in the University of Hawaiʻi system.
- Senator Daniel Inouye and Tammy Duckworth were both military veterans. They were injured while serving their country. Later, they became important government leaders.
- Bette Midler and Georgia Engel are well-known entertainers.
- Composer Hsiung-Zee Wong also studied at the University of Hawaiʻi.
- President Barack Obama's parents, Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham, went to the Mānoa campus. They met in a Russian language class there. His half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, also earned a degree from Mānoa. His mother earned three degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi, including a PhD in anthropology.
Mazie Hirono is a current U.S. senator. She earned her degree in psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi. She is the first woman from Hawaii elected to the Senate. She is also the first Asian-American woman in the Senate. Plus, she is the first U.S. senator born in Japan and the first Buddhist senator in the nation.
Alice Augusta Ball made history at the College of Hawaiʻi (now the University of Hawaiʻi). In 1915, she was the first woman to graduate from the college. She was also the first African American research chemist and instructor in the chemistry department. Alice Ball developed a special form of chaulmoogra oil. This oil was used for many years to help people with Hansen's disease, also known as leprosy.
Notable Teachers at UH
The University of Hawaiʻi system has had many important teachers. Some were visiting professors, and others came after winning major awards. For example, Nobel Laureate Georg von Békésy 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, a professor of Japanese literature, received a very high honor from Japan. It was called the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. This award is given to people who are not Japanese citizens but have done great things for Japan.
See also
In Spanish: Universidad de Hawái para niños
