University of Hawai’i West O’ahu

I’m eternally grateful that those of us on the West side now have an upper-​level campus to call our own. If not, I probably would not have achieved a higher education (and now am motivated to go on to graduate school!) I started as a Full-​time student in the Fall of ’14 and I’m now in my senior year. I’m living proof that the «15 to Finish» campaign works. Yes, it’s true, the programs are limited, and some of the classes are offered only once a year. Others are only offered online– I assume that this is to help those who are working or caring for dependents to pursue their education.
The grounds staff do an amazing job of keeping this campus pristine and security is always visible. Visits to the Noeau Center are a must if you’re taking Sociology classes, because all the professors require you to take your draft, revision and final literature review to Noeau for review before submitting. There are a lot of fun events like zumba, West & Welaxation, Club Rush, and last semester we even had a snow day! I don’t have many complaints other than there needs to be more FOOD choices– and this is where Leeward CC has us beat! Our cafeteria situation is pretty sad… if there were an ice cream truck driving by and playing that tinny music– you know the one: pussycat, pussycat, where have you been…- I’m sure we’d chase after it because… well, just because. Other than that, brown bagging it, vending machines, the limited snacks for sale in the bookstore, getting food from the closest places in Kapolei (Walmart McDonalds, Starbucks, etc.) are the only other options.
We have a shuttle service (probably Manoa campus’ hand-​me-​down minivans, but I digress) run by really good people that are also veterans– Uncle Ted, Uncle Herman and now Uncle Mike. The WiFi is pretty good (only seems to cut off in the bathrooms) and Laulima is what it is (with the occasional hiccups.) I will be relocating after graduating, but I will always be proud to be West Side born and raised and proud to be Pueo!

This review is solely just for the financial aid office.
I had completed my loan entrance counseling so that my loan could get disbursed to my bank account, which is the money I use to pay for my textbooks. I had called during their first week of school and no one would pick up the phone. I understand it is their «high peak period», but they would not return my calls or reply to my emails. It was ridiculous as I was just asking for a confirmation that they received my entrance counseling. I then called them last Friday, where they said my results «had not come through yet» so I had to call back the following Monday (which was Martin Luther King day). Because of the holiday, I called back on Tuesday to check on my results. They said the results come in «weekly uploads» and mine had not been uploaded yet. They then told me to call back at the end of the week if my loan does not get disbursed by then.
I ended up calling again today. The first person I spoke to was unable to help me because their financial aid officer was not in the office yet. She said she would call me back and if she didn’t, that I was to give her a follow-​up call in the afternoon — which is what I did. The second person I spoke to stated that the financial aid officer could see that my results came in, but was not able to open the file. She then told me I had to call back at the end of NEXT week. I stressed to her that I need the loan urgently as it is already the second week of classes and I need my textbooks in order to complete my work. She basically sounded as if she didn’t care and that it was my fault that they could not open my file. Does it really take another WHOLE week just to look at my results? It’s ridiculous…
I wish the staff was more prompt and attentive to the matter as it was brought up to them three times now. Guess I will just have to wait another week…

This institution is nice and located very well in Kapolei off of the Kapolei cut off.
The campus is still relatively new so the staff still needs better training. The professors are new and so are the programs.
I opted to go to University of Hawaii at Mānoa although I live in Kapolei because the programs offered at the campus in Mānoa are more stable and the professors are more seasoned and know what they’re teaching.

I have been a UHWO student since before it moved out in Kapolei. This campus has AMAZING views. Honestly, the buildings look almost like giant warehouses, but it’s beautiful inside all of them. The parking is extremely limited. At one point, after a year the new location opened, I heard that they were going to start charging for parking. There was an online petition about being against paying for parking. Why would people want to pay to park on gravel? I think when the campus expands, students would probably have to pay for parking… I doubt I’ll still be a student when this happens, lol.
I enjoyed many of the classes I have taken here. I am a Sociology major, so most of my courses were Sociology (and a lot of Psychology). Garcia-​Santiago is probably my favorite instructor there. I haven’t taken any courses at UH Manoa, but I’m pretty sure the class sizes are better at UH West Oahu. UH West Oahu class size is usually around 30 students (if they stick to the course). It kinda sucks that there aren’t that many instructors there, especially if you need a specific class and that class is full and you have no option but to wait until the next semester or even next year to (hopefully) get into. This has happened to me quite a few times.
Apparently there are two UHWO staff members that were hired for transportation between UHWO and Leeward Community College. I’ve never used this option just yet, but I hear they are very nice! Also, they don’t drive to and/​or from either campuses during peak traffic hours!

Hi! I would like to review about their cafeteria, I asked a woman to give me half a cup of rice, and she took a small soda cup (I just said, half a cup. Duh!) and I told her what I meant by half a cup. Then she grumbled to herself and said «This is so confusing» with an attitude. First off, half cup is a standard of measure. It’s not confusing at all. And for this server to give me an attitude is not right. Maybe she needs to go back to her elementary school and ask her teacher what half a cup means. I remember what she looks like, I’ll be happy to point to the management who she is.

Worst campus on the island. The Admissions Office employees are incompetent. They are uninformative and always hang up on me when I call. I turned everything in only to have them mess up my paperwork and pay for transcripts that I didn’t even need to have transferred over. The Veterans Counselor does not know anything about setting up benefits, did not help me set up my education benefits in any way. He also messed up on my paperwork, which he had for some time then told me I could not attend West Oahu right before school was about to begin. You are a VA counselor, you are supposed to know what forms are needed and you are supposed to read the forms. Worst experience and horrible campus. WASTE OF MONEY AND TIME!

I’ve been a UHWO student for over a year now and I am finally taking classes face to face rather than online. Beautiful campus. Of course, it is a new campus so what would you expect. Parking is small but I get there early enough not to have to worry about it but they do have an overflow parking for those who have later classes.
The resources that they have are excellent. The No’eau Center is great for those who need tutoring in writing and essays, they even edit them online in case you’re unable to get to the campus. The workshops are so helpful and they even give you snacks.

I love this school.
The only thing I wish this school had was sports activities. More intramural and sports that I could watch and actually compete for.
The facilities are all very nice since it’s a very brand new school. I love that everyone here is very personalable.

Nice campus. Great alternative to UH Manoa if you’re going for an Accounting degree. Professors are very approachable. Overall wonderful experience.

COLLEGE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE?
I have visited the campus more than once and to see my cousin who finished his early education degree here. I love that its small. From the center of the campus you could see every building. I love how everything is spaced out and compact.
+PROS
+easy to see all the buildings
+Locally Grown food service
+modernized features such as metal on the seats so skate boarders don’t grind on them
+Clean
+Well maintained
–CONS
–not much classes are offered
–can’t start and end college on one campus
–very CONCRETE type of school, could have enforced more «green» features to a brand new campus
–Not prepared to hold a graduation ceremony
The campus was ranked low because I hope it will only improve as the campus expands (hopefully for the better). The graduation ceremony I went to this past weekend was A-​OK, They could have had a better traffic staff who guided the people better. Also the signs in the quad were very hard to see with the obstructions in the way. Hopefully this campus gets better over the years.

I am one who doesn’t like the thought of leaving extra early to get to my destination and to walk from my car to my class, being stuck in traffic, having a huge campus to navigate and … I guess that’s it. Being someone who works, has a family and household to take care of, along with attending class and studying, I really have a hard time with with extra travel time.
This makes West Oahu perfect for me. Being that it is really more like pre-​Kapolei rather than actual Kapolei (its the first of the Kapolei cut offs), from Waipio to school it takes me 30 minutes tops. TOPS. Usually, I can make it from my chair at home to my seat in class in 30 minutes. Parking is a breeze and the walk from the parking spot (no matter where you park) is quick.
I love the open air, as the campus is plopped in the middle of nothing. When I sit outside to read for a bit, it’s quiet as there is not a crap load of students. And everything is new! I love that! The library is beautiful, with so many computers available. It’s just really nice with the limited amount of students it currently has.
I have only eaten at the café twice but it is really good and reasonable. I can’t really understand how they can afford to stay open (not that many students), but for now, it just means I get my food fast, with extra attention on all of the touches. Lovin’ it!
Of course everything is not done, thus the maps on campus don’t really apply. I know because I got confused trying to orient myself; but with the whole admin building missing, it was impossible. But for now, I’m just loving the peace that I get from attending school here, while I am getting my degree.

I am a current distance education student at this school and for the last few months its been horrible. No one communicates with each other and they act as if they know it all when actually they have the wrong information. I have called repeatedly about my FA and everytime its a different answer or they tell me they don’t know. Its your job to have the right answer or transfer me to someone who does. I’m so tired of dealing with the random people who answer the phone. I really want to transfer back to Maui were everything was so organized! After writing this post, I think I am!

Campus is beautiful but needs more places you can go to eat. I feel like Peet’s Café is never going to open. But the food at the cafeteria (prepared by Hawaiian Grown Kitchen) is pretty tasty.

I had a chance to walk the campus last weekend before school started and I must say this place has got some promise. Set out in the Kapolei plains, the campus is state of the art and brand new as far as the facilities are concerned. It’s not going to stop there either, they are planning on building dorms, more classrooms and even an area for a Japanese University to be built nearby as a sister school. There is plenty of parking since there is so much room in this area with nothing really around the school itself except more construction grounds where they are constantly building up the school. The classroom are state of the art all equipped with electronic and digital devices that will make lectures easier for professors. The campus is also very clean. At the moment you’re reminded of a smaller liberal arts college because of the set up. But good things look to happen for this campus which will give «westsiders» a closer option than commuting all the way in to Manoa! This should also help alleviate traffic which most of you will be happy about.

I went here for the Halloween fundraiser this past year and it was mind blowing being on this campus. With all the perks and newness of this place I was in awe. Seeing part of the library, checking out their classrooms, and learning about their programs made me green with envy. Being a UH Manoa student, I saw the perks to this school and I wont lie even I was thinking about transferring here since traffic and tuition would be easier, but at last they didn’t have my Major. Boo. Maybe in another life time I guess. :)
The professors offices are directly connected to the classes so its very convenient if you have any questions or need help after class. The school itself is eco-​friendly and self sufficient for instance, strategic placing of the buildings with solar panels to sustain itself with generated power and deflecting the heat to keep the campus cool. Its a very well planned out school structure that surely has been in the making for the past 30 years. Also don’t get me started on their library, Its one of the best I’ve been to on the island! With comfortable chairs and rooms made just for studying, I come here to study whenever I’m down this side. Its literally that good. So to those looking for a new University, please check this school out. If they have your program/​major than you are one lucky son of a b*tch in a good way of course. haha Goodluck to your studies and enjoy the school for me. ;D
Food: Self sufficient only using local products which is great because it brings back to the community!
Parking: Plenty of parking as of right now, they are eventually going to expand as the school expands.
Tuition: Alot cheaper than other Universities on the island, 3 times cheaper.
Traffic: Your going against traffic coming from pearl city side (me) so its an easy commute.

I was fortunate enough to attend a VIP function before the new UH West Oahu campus ever opened, and I was not disappointed. We got private tours of the new facilities, the grounds, the library, and wine and pupus with a ‘Titanic-​esque’ string quartet at a private soirée. Quite the evening!
After the tour and wine reception, the 600+ VIPs were escorted to an oversized tent on the great lawn of the campus for dinner and entertainment from Willie K. This is when UH West Chancellor Gene Aukuni shared the trials and tribulations of getting the new campus off the ground after nearly 30-​years of planning, organizing, infighting, and budgeting issues. It was worth the wait.
The campus is spread over several acres of open land in the Kapolai plain. The ceilings are vaulted and natural light floods all buildings, but indirectly to keep the temperatures down. They did this project ‘green,’ with lots of recycled metals and cement, the natural lighting thing, auto-​off lights, tinted windows — heck, even the direction the buildings were slanted to protect the inside from the mid-day’s heat was part of the master plan.
Modern technology abounds in every building, from the four new state-​of-​the-​art computer labs, to the ‘surround sound’ classroom with oversized projector and screen, to their (soon to be) ability to generate some power to use less off the grid.
Perhaps the most beautiful part of the new campus is the tower, or ‘beacon of light’ as the Chancellor described it. It’s a statement, visible for quite a distance during the day, but from even farther away at night. In fact, there are regularly intervaled ‘light shows’ that eminate from the tower each evening, making it ‘moving’ art! Well done UH West Oahu, well done!
Kids from Oahu and across Hawaii are fortunate to now have the newest college campus right here in Kapolei! I wish them well!