2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
The University of Hawaii at Manoa has a storied past that began in 1907 when it was founded as the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts of the Territory of Hawaii. Initially situated in Honolulu, the college offered courses in agriculture, mechanic arts, and domestic science. In 1912, the institution relocated to its present-day location in Manoa Valley, a rural area on the outskirts of Honolulu at the time.
Over the years, the college expanded its academic offerings and became the University of Hawaii in 1920. Nine years later, the College of Arts and Sciences was established, eventually becoming the largest college on campus. The university continued to grow, adding several new colleges and schools, such as the College of Education, the College of Business Administration, and the School of Social Work.
During World War II, the University of Hawaii at Manoa played a significant role in the war effort by training military personnel and conducting research for the military. Following the war, the university experienced rapid growth and expansion, with enrollment increasing from around 3,000 students in 1945 to over 10,000 students in the 1960s.
The 1970s brought challenges to the university, including budget cuts and protests over the Vietnam War. Despite these obstacles, the University of Hawaii at Manoa continued to grow and established several new programs and centers, such as the Center for Pacific Islands Studies and the East-West Center.
In 1985, the School of Hawaiian, Asian, and Pacific Studies was established, becoming a leader in the study of indigenous cultures and languages. The university continued to expand its academic offerings in the following years, adding the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and the School of Architecture.
Today, the University of Hawaii at Manoa is a leading research university with a diverse student body and a comprehensive array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. The university is renowned for its strong programs in fields such as oceanography, astronomy, and Hawaiian studies, and is recognized as a leader in the study of Pacific Island cultures and languages.
In recent years, the University of Hawaii at Manoa has faced several challenges, including budget cuts and declining enrollment. However, the university remains committed to providing high-quality education and research opportunities to its students and to serving as a leader in the state of Hawaii and the Pacific region. The recent creation of the UH Mānoa provost position demonstrates the university's dedication to continuing its tradition of academic excellence and leadership for years to come.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa boasts a diverse selection of faculties and departments for prospective students to consider. With 18 colleges and schools offering over 200 degree programs, students have ample opportunities to find their ideal academic path. One notable college is the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, which focuses on sustainable agriculture and natural resource management in Hawaii and the Pacific region. This college provides undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, food science, and natural resource management.
Another prominent school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is the John A. Burns School of Medicine, which is dedicated to training future healthcare professionals and conducting advanced research in areas such as cancer, infectious diseases, and neuroscience. The school offers a Doctor of Medicine program and various graduate programs in biomedical sciences.
For those interested in architecture, the School of Architecture provides undergraduate and graduate programs in the field. Meanwhile, the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology offers programs in geology, geophysics, oceanography, and meteorology. Students interested in social work can explore undergraduate and graduate programs at the School of Social Work, while the College of Education offers programs in early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa also caters to students interested in engineering, with the College of Engineering offering undergraduate and graduate programs in civil engineering, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering. The College of Business provides programs in business administration, accounting, and finance, while the College of Arts and Humanities covers fields such as art, music, theatre, and languages.
The College of Natural Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate programs in biology, chemistry, and physics. For those interested in law, the William S. Richardson School of Law provides a law program. Additionally, the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health offers programs in social work and public health.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is situated in the picturesque Manoa valley on the island of Oahu, part of the state of Hawaii in the United States. The campus can be found at 2500 Campus Road, Honolulu, with the ZIP Code 96822. This location offers prospective students a lush and convenient environment, as it is only 4 miles from downtown Honolulu and a mere 2.5 miles from the popular tourist destination of Waikiki. Furthermore, the university is easily accessible from the H-1 highway and is approximately 8 miles from Honolulu International Airport, making it convenient for students traveling to and from the campus.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa is dedicated to nurturing the potential within each member of its community, striving to be a globally recognized center of learning and research. With a focus on serving the people and places of Hawaii, as well as its neighbors in the Pacific and Asia, the university aims to develop creative and innovative leaders who care for the people, places, and ways of knowing in order to sustain and transform the islands and the world. Its vision is to be a leading light of aloha ‘aina for Hawaiʻi and the world.
In 2018, the University of Hawaii at Manoa updated its strategic plan, Mānoa 2025, which was informed by campus conversations with students, faculty, and staff, as well as feedback from hundreds of faculty, staff, and students. This plan seeks to make the university a premier institution of higher education, reflecting its commitment to serving the community and the world while cultivating leaders who will make a positive impact.
The mission and vision of the University of Hawaii at Manoa prioritize intellectual growth, community engagement, and interdisciplinary learning, preparing students to be active and informed citizens in their communities. The university encourages students to be engaged in their communities, participate in civic activities, and be attentive to local and regional issues and problems. The Honors Program offers a curriculum that emphasizes experiential learning, research, creative work, and active mentorship of independent student projects.
Core values of the University of Hawaii at Manoa include interdisciplinary learning, critical thinking, communication, and engagement. The university integrates knowledge and new ways of thinking from multiple fields of study to find solutions, consider concepts, and share experiences in innovative and transformative ways. Students are encouraged to use appropriate evidence and approaches to support analysis and evaluation of issues, as well as participate in debates.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission since 1955. This accreditation ensures that the university's programs adhere to high standards of quality and offer students a valuable education. In addition to this general accreditation, the university has also obtained specialized accreditations for specific programs from various organizations.
For instance, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Bar Association, and the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training have all granted specialized accreditation to certain programs at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Furthermore, the College of Education at the university has received national accreditation from the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation.
Other specialized accreditations at the University of Hawaii at Manoa include those for speech-language pathology, public health programs, music, and English language programs. These accreditations further demonstrate the university's commitment to providing high-quality education across a diverse range of disciplines. Prospective students can be confident in the academic excellence offered by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, thanks to these various accreditations.
Name of the institution
University of Hawaii at ManoaLevel of institution
Four or more yearsGranulation by control over the institution (public/private)
PublicSchool type
UniversitySetting type
City: LargeCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1907Institution size category
10,000 - 19,999Main student body
CoeducationalInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveDegrees
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
$27,918Architecture and Related Services
$42,517Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
$29,710Biological and Biomedical Sciences
$24,460Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
$42,062Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
$30,415Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
$22,915Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
$48,847Education
$36,008Engineering
$60,418English Language and Literature/Letters
$28,083Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
$25,206Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
$18,654Health Professions and Related Programs
$57,826History
$27,735Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
$25,686Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
$30,761Natural Resources and Conservation
$27,178Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
$28,403Psychology
$27,106Public Administration and Social Service Professions
$27,066Social Sciences
$29,531Visual and Performing Arts
$22,985