The University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, 2026, with activities to honor UH West O‘ahu’s past and envision the next 50 years and beyond. Please join us as we commemorate this milestone with a variety of festivities from Monday, Oct. 5, to Friday, Oct. 9!
UH West O‘ahu 50th Anniversary Celebration Week:
Monday, Oct. 5
- 9 a.m. at the James & Abigail Campbell Library, second floor:
- opening ceremony to kick off UH West O‘ahu 50th Anniversary Celebration Week with oli, mele and remarks
- premiere screening of “Pueo Voices: 50 Years of UH West O‘ahu,” a video featuring reflections from UH West O‘ahu alumni and faculty whose stories embody the spirit of this institution
- display of time capsule. Blank index cards will be provided to write messages to be placed into the time capsule, which will be sealed and displayed in the library before being opened again in 25 years
- 9:45 a.m. at the library: grand opening of “In Flight: 50 Years of UH West O‘ahu,” an exhibit that traces the university’s five-decade evolution through historic photographs, documents and memorabilia drawn from our library, the Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR) and ‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i. The exhibit will run from Oct. 5 through Nov. 6.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
- start of Facebook and Instagram photo/video scavenger hunt, a chance for UH West O‘ahu students, faculty and staff to win exclusive #UHWO50 swag daily through Friday, Oct. 9
Wednesday, Oct. 7
- 9 a.m. outside of A Building, mauka side: planting of five wiliwili trees on campus (one for each decade). Invited participants include UH President Wendy Hensel, interim Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Harald Barkhoff, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dee Uwono, Vice Chancellor for Administration David McDonald, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs John Ayabe, and Director of Strategic Directions, Assessment and Accreditation Jessica Miranda.
Thursday, Oct. 8
- Noon at the Campus Courtyard:
- 50th birthday celebration with cake and #UHWO50 swag giveaways for students, faculty and staff
- celebration is held together with Pueo Pilina student event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which includes games and activities, and tabling from various campus clubs and campus services
- display of time capsule. Blank index cards will be provided to write messages to be placed into the time capsule.
- 2 p.m. in the library: semi-formal ceremony to place items in the time capsule and seal it. The time capsule will be displayed in the library before being opened again in 25 years.
- 5 to 7 p.m. at The Pearl at Kalauao: Pau Hana on the Green: 50 Years of UH West O‘ahu, a special off-campus celebration for UH West O‘ahu alumni and special guests to mark 50 years of higher education on the west side of O‘ahu. RSVP here by Oct. 2
Friday, Oct. 9
- end of Facebook and Instagram photo/video scavenger hunt, last chance for UH West O‘ahu students, faculty and staff to win exclusive #UHWO50 swag
To learn more about UH West O‘ahu’s 50th anniversary and upcoming events, click here.
The weeklong festivities are among the “50 Acts of Pueo Pride” — events highlighted as part of the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu’s 50th anniversary in 2026.
Image courtesy of UHWO Staff