Honolulu - University of Hawaii

The approximately 37-acre/15-hectare campus of the University of Hawaii is located in Manoa Valley, north of Waikiki, and can be reached easily and quickly by bus or car. Those interested in American university life should first visit the Student Center, decorated with a wall painting depicting life in Hawaii before the arrival of the haole, the white men. An information desk here gives details of all aspects of university and student life.

Located on the second floor of the Student Center is a gallery (free admission), which mounts a series of exhibitions, showing mainly the work of Hawaiian artists. The university book shop is of interest. It offers the complete selection of books published by the University of Hawaii Press, in particular Hawaiian and South Sea classic literature.

This relatively young university has developed quickly. Today 25,000 students are registered here, some of whom live on the campus. The current university arose from the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts (founded in 1907), originally located at Thomas Square in Honolulu. It transferred to Manoa Valley in 1911 and immediately changed its name to the College of Hawaii. It gained its present name in 1920. The University of Hawaii has another campus at Hilo on the Island of Hawaii and also incorporates seven Community Colleges, offering two-year apprenticeships.