Kumu Ola – Basic Needs Services
Kumu Ola is committed to supporting the well-being and success of UH West Oʻahu students. We understand that meeting your basic needs is essential to your academic success, and we believe no student should have to choose between their education and their well-being. UH West Oʻahu offers a variety of on-campus services and provides information on community resources to help you navigate any obstacles you may face.
On-Campus Services
Food Security
The UH West Oʻahu Food Vault Hawaiʻi – West/Pueo Pantry provides nutritious options for UH West Oʻahu students.
Pueo Pantry
The Pueo Pantry provides non-perishable foods to UH West Oʻahu students. Visit the pantry for canned goods, rice, pasta, and ready-to-eat meals and snacks. The pantry also has some personal hygiene products including menstrual products. Make an appointment via STAR Balance (Basic Needs under Health & Wellness) or drop in at C-215, Monday – Thursday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Food Distributions
The Pueo Pantry distributes fresh bread, fruits, and vegetables that are recovered from the Mililani Farmers Market in collaboration with Aloha Harvest. Distributions take place at the Nāulu Center on alternating Mondays and Tuesdays during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.
Spring 2026 Schedule
(11-1pm on Scheduled Mondays and Tuesdays):
| Distribution Days | ||
|---|---|---|
| 01/12/2026 Monday | 02/23/2026 Monday | 04/06/2026 Monday |
| 01/20/2026 Tuesday | 03/03/2026 Tuesday | 04/14/2026 Tuesday |
| 01/26/2026 Monday | 03/09/2026 Monday | 04/20/2026 Monday |
| 02/03/2026 Tuesday | 03/17/2026 Tuesday | 04/28/2026 Tuesday |
| 02/09/2026 Monday | 03/23/2026 Monday | 05/04/2026 Monday |
| 02/17/2026 Tuesday | 03/31/2026 Tuesday | |
Pueo Food Drops
The Pueo Pantry Food Drops happen at the Nāulu Center on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays (11-1pm) and are food distribution events of recovered food items from surrounding grocery stores that often include perishable and non-perishable items.
Spring 2026 Schedule
(11-1 on Scheduled Wednesdays):
| Distribution Days | ||
|---|---|---|
| 02/18/2026 Wednesday | 04/01/2026 Wednesday | |
| 01/21/2026 Wednesday | 03/04/2026 Wednesday | 04/15/2026 Wednesday |
| 02/04/2026 Wednesday | 03/18/2026 Wednesday | 05/06/2026 Wednesday |
Weekly Harvest Days
The Student Organic Garden Harvest Day will is held weekly when school is in session. The activity is an opportunity for UH West O‘ahu students, faculty, and staff to participate in harvests and volunteer in the garden.
Join in from 10 a.m. to noon every Friday — excluding breaks and holidays — at the garden, or māla, located on campus adjacent to the Classroom (D) and Laboratory (E) buildings. (Students are welcome to harvest/volunteer outside of this timeframe, but will need to coordinate that with garden manager Tasia Yamamura.)
Participants should bring reusable water bottles, use sun protection, and wear close-toed shoes. For more information, please contact Tasia Yamamura at tasiay@hawaii.edu.
Clothing Access
The UH West Oʻahu Pueo Closet provides free professional and everyday attire. Schedule an appointment via UH West Oʻahu Basic Needs on STAR Balance or stop by the Pueo Pantry, Monday-Thursday, 9-3p throughout the summer to access the closet.
Menstrual Equity
UH West Oʻahu Kumu Ola supplies free period products to UH West Oʻahu students at a variety of locations throughout campus. Click on the map below to see the nearest location.
Kōkua Care Services
Kōkua Care Services provides one-time financial assistance to UHWO students navigating tough moments so they can continue moving toward their educational goals. Eligible students may receive up to $500, subject to available funding. Priority is given to students who have not received emergency funding, allowing us to support as many students as possible.
Eligibility Requirements
- Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled (full-time or part-time) at UH – West Oʻahu
- Nature of Need: Assistance may be used for unexpected medical expenses, housing loss or risk of eviction, family emergencies, or unforeseen education-related costs (e.g., textbooks, transportation, technology issues)
- Financial Hardship: Students must demonstrate a temporary financial need through self-attestation and may be asked to provide supporting documentation (e.g., medical bills or eviction notices)
Kōkua Care Services Application
Technology Access
UH West Oʻahu provides laptops, hotspots, and other technology for loan through the IT Help Desk in the Library.
Semester Loans – Laptops, iPads, Hotspots
UH West Oʻahu students can borrow a Chromebook, Dell, Macbook, or iPad PLUS a hotspot for long-term use. To borrow one of these devices, bring a picture ID to the Circulation Desk. These devices are generally loaned out for the duration of the current semester, and borrowers must complete and sign a borrower agreement form. We encourage students to visit us the first week of classes to ensure they’ll have the technology they need for the rest of the semester.
Short-Term Loans – Other Technology
UH West Oʻahu students can make use of other loanable technology, listed below:
- Adapters, 4 hour loan period
- DVD Drives, 7 day loan period
- Graphing Calculators, 4 hour loan period
- Headphones, 4 hour loan period
- Headsets with Mics, 4 hour loan period
- HDMI Cords, 4 hour loan period
Transportation Assistance
The UH West Oʻahu Pueo Shuttle transports students between the UH West Oʻahu campus and predetermined stops in Kapolei and ʻEwa Beach communities.
- Shuttle Hours (Fall & Spring Semesters, No Summer Shuttle)
7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Monday – Friday)
Health & Wellness
Mental Health Services
UH West Oʻahu offers free and confidential mental health services for all enrolled students. Services are provided by a qualified mental health professional and include individual and group therapy, couples counseling, and psychological assessment.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
Campus Health Services
Visit the Campus Health Services for assistance with Health Immunization Clearance Forms, first aid, allergy medication, and over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, Motrin, or Aspirin, non-emergency wound cleaning and dressing, sprain splinting and icing, free non-emergency supplies, COVID tests, blood pressure and glucose checks, condoms, pregnancy tests, and health information and education. You can make an appointment on STAR Balance or drop in at C-235, Monday – Friday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Off-Campus Services
Get Involved
We believe in the power of community and the importance of giving back. You can play a role in ensuring that UH West Oʻahu students have access to the resources they need to succeed. Contact us about volunteering and collaboration opportunities.
FindHelp.org is a great place to find resources for a variety of needs. FindHelp connects people to social services in their local communities. It is a comprehensive database of resources for needs such as food, housing, healthcare, financial assistance, and legal aid. Here is the UH System FindHelp website: https://uhstudentbasicneeds.findhelp.com/
The UH Virtual Basic Needs Café connects UH students with a UH Basic Needs Café Assistant who can help with locating and securing basic needs including food, housing and financial resources. Café hours are Sunday to Thursday from 8pm to midnight.
Kumu Ola – Basic Needs
Phone: (808) 689-2676
Email: uhwobn@hawaii.edu
Instagram: @uhwobasicneeds
FAQs
Who is eligible to use Basic Needs services?
UH West Oʻahu Students with a valid student ID (with current semester printed on back).
Do I need to provide any documentation to access the food pantry or clothing closet?
No, just your valid student ID.
How often can I access the food pantry and other services?
UH West Oʻahu Students can access the Food Pantry, Food Distributions, and Food Drops each once a week.
What kind of items are available at the food pantry?
The pantry is stocked with non-perishable food items that usually include canned proteins (Spam, Vienna sausage, chili, stew), canned vegetables (corn, green beans), soups (chicken noodle, cream of mushroom), noodles (ramen, chow mein), pasta (spaghetti, macaroni, penne), ready-to-eat meals (mac & cheese, tuna and crackers) and snacks (fruit cups, popcorn, crackers, protein bars), and personal hygiene items (body soap, toothpaste, period products).
Can I donate food or clothing to UHWO Basic Needs?
Yes! Gently-used everyday and professional clothing can be dropped off in the donation bin in the Student Services hallway to the right of the lobby on the second floor (C236). We gladly accept non-expired, non-perishable food items that are still within their best-by dates. Your contribution can make a real difference for students experiencing basic needs insecurity.
Are there any resources for housing?
- For housing assistance, visit the University of Hawai‘i’s Basic Needs FindHelp website.
- To learn about UH West O‘ahu student housing options at nearby Hawaii Tokai International College, visit Student Housing.
Is there any confidentiality when I use Basic Needs Services?
Yes, we take confidentiality seriously. All interactions with the Basic Needs program are confidential. We respect your privacy and will not share your information. You can use these services without fear of judgment or stigma.