Commencement
The University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu holds two distinct Commencement Ceremonies for graduates. Candidates are invited to select their commencement experience based on preference. Each ceremony has its own “UH West Oʻahu” flavor that offers our graduates and their guests unique opportunities that commemorate this tremendous occasion.
The Mid-Year Ceremony is in December on the UH West Oʻahu campus and is a more intimate experience for our graduates and their guests. The open-air ceremony takes place in a shaded courtyard. Due to the special conditions of the on-campus event, guests for the formal program are limited to six (6) per graduate [along with two (2) parking passes per graduate]. The lei-giving portion of the day is open to all. Summer and Fall graduates are invited to the Mid-Year Ceremony.
The Annual Ceremony is in May at the SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and welcomes all for both the formal program in the arena and lei giving. The festive nature of the Stan Sheriff Center, with Jumbotron and our #PUEOPRIDE, gives attendees a chance to truly celebrate with seemingly no limits! Fall, Spring, and Summer graduates are invited to the Annual Ceremony.
Upcoming ceremony:
Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
SimpliFi Arena, Stan Sheriff Center
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus
(For Summer, Fall, and Spring graduates)
FAQs for Annual Commencement
Preparing for Commencement
The UH West Oʻahu Annual Commencement ceremony will be at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UH Mānoa campus. Graduates may greet their guests at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field following the formal Commencement program.
If you would like to participate in the optional Commencement Ceremonies (summer and fall – Mid-Year in December / spring – Annual in May); submit your Graduation Application by the posted date found on the Graduation page.
Once your grad app has been processed, you will receive an email titled: UHWO Commencement Registration to participate in the optional Commencement Ceremony.
NOTE: Two (2) Step Process:
- Submit a Graduation Application by the posted deadline.
- Complete the Commencement Registration to participate in the Mid-Year or Annual Ceremony. Registration to participate in the ceremony will close ONE month (30 days) prior to the published ceremony date.
BOTH steps need to be completed to participate in the optional Commencement Ceremony.
There will not be a candidate rehearsal. Students are advised to review the map to familiarize themselves with relevant locations.
Commencement regalia: caps, gowns, tassels, graduation with distinction (honor stole) and announcements are available at the UH West O’ahu Bookstore’s “Grad Store” and online or call 808-689-2550.
- The full graduation gown set is $44.95 – $54.95. The black cap, gown and tassel are included in the set and each is required for the commencement ceremony. If you already have a black cap and gown, the tassel can be purchased separately for $9.95. Cap only is $15.95.
- Black caps, gowns and tassels are required to be worn by all graduates. Wear lightweight attire under your gown.
- Whatever shows above/below the gown should conform to the following:
- MEN should wear collared shirts (short sleeves are acceptable), dark trousers, and closed shoes.
- WOMEN should wear dresses or dress slacks and sandals or shoes. Mu‘umu‘u are not recommended. The graduation gowns for women include white collars which may be omitted.
- Jeans, shorts, t-shirts and slippers are not considered appropriate attire.
- Candidates should order/purchase their regalia as soon as possible. There is a limited supply of gown sets (varying heights).
- Visit the bookstore to “try on” gowns at your discretion. (The gown is sold according to height, but there are some limitations, so trying on may be recommended. There are some special gowns, based on stock availability at the time.
- After purchase – candidates may pick up and/or shipping is available. If shipping – within Hawai’i – allow for 3-5 business days for delivery / if outside Hawai’i – allow for more time.
Students who have previously purchased a community college (LeeCC, WinCC, KapCC, etc) BLACK gown can purchase a tassel and/or cap separately.
The Associated Students of the University of Hawai’i–West O’ahu have a few gowns available for loan. Please contact them at asuhwo@hawaii.edu for assistance and more information.
Graduation with Distinction Honor Stole
Candidates who meet the criteria for Graduation with Distinction (current 3.75 UH West O‘ahu Overall GPA and on track for completion of 30 UH West O`ahu credits) will be recognized during the ceremony. Your designation at the time of the ceremony is based upon the previous semester’s grades. Any change in the designation based upon this semester’s grades will be reflected on your transcripts and diploma. To see if you might be eligible, visit star.hawaii.edu. Click on transcripts, then campus transcripts by semester. You may purchase your gold honor stole for $32.95 through The UH West O‘ahu Bookstore or call (808) 689-2550.
Student Veteran Honor Cord
UH West O‘ahu Student Veterans may receive a red, white, and blue honor cord from the UH West O‘ahu Veterans Center for Excellence, room C-138. Please call 808-689-2961 or email uhwovets@hawaii.edu for the center’s hours of operation.
Ceremony Day
The UH West Oʻahu Commencement ceremony will be at the SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center on the UH Mānoa campus (1355 Lower Campus Road, Honolulu 96822. Graduates may greet their guests at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field following the formal Commencement program.
Directions to the Stan Sheriff Center from UH West Oʻahu:
- Travel east on the H-1 freeway.
- Take the University exit (Exit 24B).
- Stay in the far-right lane heading north on University Avenue.
- Take a right on Dole Street at the first light.
- Take another immediate right on Lower Campus Road.
Signs will be posted along the loading dock gate entrance. Look for the candidate check in table. Friends who wish to sit side by side during the ceremony must line up one behind the other or they will be separated.
- 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Attendees arrive & park in the Lower Campus Parking Structure Candidates check-in – Stan Sheriff loading dock (1st floor); Guests enter the Arena from the 2nd floor.
- 7:45 a.m. Doors open
- 8:30 a.m. Pre-Ceremony: Preparation and lineup
- 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Commencement Ceremony (estimated time)
NOTE: Candidates are required to meet at the Stan Sheriff loading dock/security entrance (first floor) and should be checked in by 8:30 a.m. Arrival, parking, check-in and pre-ceremony activities will take time, plan accordingly. Candidates not checked in by 8:30 a.m. may not be allowed to walk in the ceremony.
- Picture Identification (Federal or State)
- WEAR your Regalia Gown, Cap and Tassel (recommend – safety pins, bobby pins, etc.)
- WEAR appropriate shoes (covered, able to walk across uneven surfaces, etc.)
- Plan to have your guests keep your personal belongings until after the ceremony
No tickets will be issued. All guests are welcome to the ceremonies on a first-come, first-seated basis. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. We strongly recommend that guests arrive early, as the doors to the Stan Sheriff Center will be closed when the arena reaches maximum capacity.
Please be advised that only candidates for graduation will be allowed on the arena floor. All guests will be restricted to the general seating areas.
Balloons, large signs, and strollers are not allowed into the arena for safety reasons. Guests can take photographs and videos from their seats only.
Graduates may greet their guests at the Clarence T.C. Ching Field following the formal Commencement program.
Traditionally the academic regalia (gown, mortar board and tassel) may be adorned with organization and honor recognition (i.e., stole, cord, pins, etc.) Additionally, some of the campus programs such as Accounting Club (yellow & black stole), Service Learning (red stole), Veteran’s (red, white and blue cord), No’eau Center (red kihei) and others will gift the candidates with adornments prior to the ceremony. We do ask that candidates’ families and guests wait until the ceremony has concluded to gift their graduates with lei or other celebratory gifts.
Candidates: Arena Regulations
Stan Sheriff policy restricts Large bags (purses, backpacks, etc.), placards or signage, beach balls, confetti and pets (excluding service animals) will not be allowed in the arena. Plan to have your guests keep your personal belongings until after the ceremony.
Note to Parents and Pet Owners: Children (including infants) and pets (excluding service animals) will not be allowed to accompany graduates in the ceremony. Please plan to have your guests watch your children during the ceremony.
Guests: Arena Regulations
Please be advised that large signs, placards, balloons, confetti, beach balls and strollers will not be allowed inside the arena for safety and security reasons. Please be advised that only graduates will be allowed on the arena floor. All guests will be restricted to the general seating areas. Guests may take photographs from their seats only. The clear bag policy does not apply to UH commencement exercises.
Let’s be good neighbors and guests, please refrain from bringing these restricted items into the Arena and the Stadium. We want to be able to host our ceremonies & celebrations here in the future. Please share this information with your family and friends.
While giving lei is a Hawaiʻi tradition, we ask that you encourage family and friends attending the commencement to help with UH Mānoa’s sustainability efforts by leaving the plastic clamshell containers at home or consider using a reusable bag to help reduce the high volume of trash that takes up space in our garbage cans.
Absolutely NO Confetti and Confetti Cannons are allowed into the stadium (i.e., very difficult to pick up and clean from the stadium field).
Let’s be good neighbors and guests, please refrain from bringing these restricted items into the Arena and the Stadium. We want to be able to host our ceremonies & celebrations here in the future. Please share this information with your family and friends.
Park in the Lower Campus Parking Structure (Zone 20). No parking passes or fees are required for entry to the parking structure.
Stalls are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Handicapped parking is available throughout the parking structure. Guests needing disability assistance may park in the disability parking area on the third floor of the parking structure. From the third floor, a ramp leads directly to the main entrance of the Stan Sheriff Center (on the second floor). Visitor green stalls may be available in other areas of the campus for a fee.
Parking
Guests needing disability assistance may park in the disability parking area on the third floor of the parking structure. From the third floor, a ramp leads directly to the main entrance of the Stan Sheriff Center. Please note that all parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Passenger Drop-Off/Pick-Up Areas
It is recommended to drop off passengers on the third floor of the parking structure, where a ramp leads directly to the main entrance of the Stan Sheriff Center. For concerns of safety, please do not drop off passengers in the middle of the road or along areas with heavy traffic.
Seating for Guests
Persons with mobility needs will be able enter the arena without using the stairs as elevators are available both in the parking structure and in the athletics complex. As you enter the main entrance to the Stan Sheriff Center, you will arrive on the mezzanine level of the main concourse. The row of seats around the main concourse is reserved for persons with disabilities. Ushers will be available to assist you as needed.
American Sign Language Interpreter
A sign language interpreter will interpret the commencement ceremonies from the beginning introductions to the commencement address, and the closing remarks. The interpreter will not interpret the individual recognition of students. The interpreter will be positioned on stage, and visible on the large screen of the Jumbotron.
Candidate Information
Degree candidates meet at the Security Entrance / Loading Dock of the Stan Sheriff Center. If you require special assistance in order to participate in the ceremony, you must contact uhwograd@hawaii.edu.
After the Ceremony
All graduates are escorted to the appropriate alphabetical sign at the Clarence T. C. Ching field. Signs will be posted. Guests with special needs may want to consider meeting graduates at a location closer to the Stan Sheriff Center.
Wheelchairs
The University does not provide wheelchairs for the commencement ceremonies. If you are in need of a wheelchair, you are advised to make your own arrangements prior to the ceremony. The following wheelchair and scooter rental companies may be of service to you.
- Better Home Appliances, Inc. – (808) 737-3055
- Hawaii Wheelchair Rental – (808) 772-9723
- Hawaiian Islands Medical Corp – (808) 597-8087
The ceremony will be live streamed by accessing a link on our UH West O’ahu homepage and a recording will be available on the UH West O’ahu YouTube channel approximately two to three weeks after the semester closes.
Printed programs will be distributed at the ceremony. A digital version of the commencement program will also be available on this Commencement webpage.
Each graduate will be photographed by a professional photographer as they receive their degree, and these photos will be made available to the graduate. After commencement, you will receive an email message from the photographer with a link to view your proof online. You may order additional photographs at that time.
If you do not wish to have your contact information forwarded to the photographer so that he may give you access to your photo proof, please submit your request in writing by April 10, 2025 to Attn: Commencement SP2025. Contact information: uhwo.records@hawaii.edu.
Guests may take photographs and videos from their seats only. Mahalo and thank you for showing courtesy for those around you so that everyone may enjoy the event. For safety reasons, guests are not allowed to sit or stand in aisle ways to take photos, videos, or to watch the ceremony. UHWO Ambassadors will be available to assist with these safety requirements.
The University of Hawai`i-West O`ahu (UH West Oʻahu) reserves the right to photograph/videotape participants and guests in public spaces at commencement for purposes of publicizing the University’s programs or for any other lawful purpose, including the right to print, publish, broadcast, and use as appropriate for public information without additional consideration or compensation. All photographs/videos become the property of UH West Oʻahu.
Check the UH West Oʻahu flickr account following Commencement to view photos of the day.
A First Aid station will be located in the Stan Sheriff Arena and in the Clarence T.C. Ching Field. In case of emergency, medical or otherwise, please inform a Guest Manager or Campus Security for assistance.
After the Ceremony
You will get a certificate holder at the ceremony. Your diploma and diploma cover will be mailed to you. Degrees are conferred at the end of each semester and are posted to student records within 10 weeks of your semester graduation. Once conferred, the diplomas are ordered and available approximately in March for fall; August for spring, and October for summer. The diplomas and diploma covers are mailed via USPS to the mailing address noted in your student record within your semester of graduation. Please ensure that your mailing address is correct. View the Graduation page for more information.
You’ll be able to view your proofs at the Pictureman of Hawai’i website and send questions to Pictureman of Hawaii to cs@pmoh.com.
Questions?
Contact us at
E-mail: uhwograd@hawaii.edu
Commencement Archives
- 2024 Annual Ceremony
- 2023 Mid-Year Ceremony
- Spring 2023 Ceremony
- Spring 2022 Morning Ceremony
- Spring 2022 Afternoon Ceremony
- Fall 2021 Morning Ceremony
- Fall 2021 Afternoon Ceremony
- Fall 2021 Prerecorded Program
- Spring 2021 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
- Spring 2021 Drive-Thru Highlights
- Spring, Summer, and Fall 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony
- Fall 2019 Commencement Ceremony
- Spring 2019 Commencement Ceremony
- Fall 2018 Commencement Ceremony
- Spring 2018 Commencement Ceremony