Honoring 50 Years: Our Transformational Legacy
Date/Time sent: 01/21/2026 10:46 am
Aloha UH West Oʻahu,
Fifty years ago West Oʻahu College opened its doors in temporary facilities with 75 students and a humble but powerful vision: to provide accessible, high-quality higher education to the growing community of West Oʻahu. Today, as we stand in the heart of Kapolei as a premier, indigenous-serving institution, we begin a year-long celebration of that vision and the generations of learners whose lives have been transformed on our campus.
I am proud to announce the launch of our 50th Anniversary Campaign. This milestone is more than a look back at five decades of academic excellence; it is a moment to honor the people, passion, and perseverance that define the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.
To commemorate this anniversary, we are celebrating the “50 Acts of Pueo Pride” throughout 2026. This initiative showcases 50 UH West O’ahu signature experiences — from student-led initiatives and campus traditions to community events — that reflect our essence.
Look out for the “50 Acts” weekly feature in Makahaiwaʻa and stories in our “Spotlight Series” on Ka Puna O Kaloʻi. Our Communications Department is working with individual units to co-brand existing events as part of this c el ebration. If your department is hosting a program that exemplifies our mission, I encourage you to collaborate with them to include it in our curated list of 50 signature moments. Additionally, we are sharing a 50th Anniversary logo toolkit for you to incorporate in your own visual communications this year to help spread the word.
You may have noticed our anniversary reflected across the campus — from new banners and digital graphics to our updated website. These visual changes represent our unified commitment to our students and our community as we envision the next 50 years of impact. We will align this work with our strategic exploratory period between our campus and Leeward Community College as we continue to pursue ways to honor and serve our West Oʻahu community.
I invite each of you to join us in celebrating these moments of Pueo Pride. Whether you have been with us for decades or are just beginning your journey here, you are an integral part of the UH West Oʻahu story. We ask that you share your personal experiences about current students and alumni, high-impact moments, and historical campus accomplishments.
Mahalo for your dedication to our students and for making these first 50 years truly extraordinary.
Humbly,
Carlos G. Peñaloza, Interim Chancellor, UH West Oʻahu