It seems appropriate that the first blog post introduces you to Mānoa and the place where you will be spending much of your time at the conference.
As a Native Hawaiian Place of Learning, understanding the ʻāina (land) we are on is essential—not only recognizing the history and relationship between people and the environment, but also upholding the value of aloha ʻāina—a commitment to caring for and sustaining the land. The Native Hawaiian Place of Learning Advancement Office offers excellent resources that expand on these topics and situates the geography of Mānoa within O‘ahu and Hawai‘i.
Photo credit: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Hawaiʻi Hall)
Beyond its rich cultural significance, Mānoa is also celebrated for its extraordinary beauty. Nestled in the lush Mānoa Valley, the University has more than 140 buildings on the 320-acre campus and has been a cornerstone of higher education in the Pacific since its founding in 1906. A brief history of the university can be found here. The university regularly ranked among the most beautiful or prettiest college campuses in the U.S. This is unsurprising as the grounds are also an accredited arboretum, showcasing plants from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and across the tropics. There are more than 4,000 trees and approximately 500 tree species including a number of truly exceptional trees, such as the largest Baobab in the United States, or distinct “sausage tree.”
The Sausage Tree, scientifically known as Kigelia africana, is found on campus and popular Ala Moana Park. It's easily recognizable by its long, sausage-shaped fruits hanging from the branches. These trees are not native to Hawaii but were introduced in the 1800s. The Campus Arboretum website offers a helpful Plant Finder Map for those interested in exploring the campus flora.
The university has a mix of building designs reflecting the broader shifts in architectural styles and the campus's growth. Early buildings were designed in a Neo-Classical design (exemplified in its first building Hawaiʻi Hall) which later gave way to Modernism, which then began to incorporate local influences, resulting in the unique Hawaiian Modernism seen today.
Many campus structures reflect the principles of Tropical Modernism—an architectural movement that harmonizes with the island climate through passive cooling, native materials, and a deep integration with the surrounding landscape. This includes the Imin Conference Center (Jefferson Hall) and Kennedy Theater across the road which were both designed by internationally famed architect I.M. Pei.
You can also find temples, ahu (altar), monuments, and other unique architectural constructions around the campus. While visiting for the conference, I encourage you to take some time to explore and experience the special place that defines UH Mānoa. Here is a link to the campus map for reference.
