Programs and Activities
First-Year Programs offers a range of programming for first-year students. For more information about an event or to RSVP, please email readysetgo@hpu.edu.
Be My Guest
Invite your professor for a free lunch to get to know more about them. Do they have a hobby? Why teaching? What is their favorite restaurant on Fort Street Mall? Or do they prefer the Dining Commons? First-Year Programs sponsors lunches and coffee breaks for students and faculty to connect outside the classroom. Students enrolled in and faculty teaching lower division courses (1000 and 2000 levels) are eligible to participate. For more information, please email readysetgo@hpu.edu.
Live Hawaii
Learn more about Hawaii – past, present, and future! New students are invited to explore Oahu at one of these events:
Hawai‘i State Art Museum
Saturday, February 11 ∙ 10:00 am ∙ HiSAM
Tour the HiSAM collection of Hawai‘i art. Then join local artists for hands-on art activities and discussion. Meet at the Downtown HPU Shuttle Stop. Please RVSP by February 5.
Live Hawai‘i: Waikiki Aquarium
Saturday, March 3 ∙ 9:30 am
Visit with over 3,500 marine animals including reef sharks, endangered Hawaiian monk seals, sea jellies, and more! Transportation from the HLC and Downtown shuttle stops. Please RSVP by February 26.
Live Hawai‘i: Wilcox’s Shot
Friday, April 13 ∙ 8:00 pm ∙ Kumu Kahua Theatre
“Let them remember a Hawaiian Patriot, not a Rebel. I fought for one cause and one cause only my entire life: the Hawaiian cause.”
Wilcox’s Shot dramatizes the life of one of our most fascinating historical figures. Robert Kalanihiapo Wilcox, the revolutionary-turned politician, arrives in Washington as Hawai‘i’s first delegate to Congress. Depart from the Downtown Shuttle Stop. RSVP by April 8.
Reserve Your Spot
E-mail readysetgo@hpu.edu or visit the Center for Student Life & First-Year Programs (1188 Fort StreetMall, MP 105) to RSVP. Space is limited, but events are FREE!
Taste of Home
During Spring Semester, FYP invites international students to Fort Street Mall to enjoy a small taste of home.
Germany and Central Europe
Wednesday, February 8 ∙ 12:30 to 1:15 pm
Fort Street Mall
East Asia
Wednesday, February 22∙ 12:30 to 1:15 pm
Fort Street Mall
Scandinavia
Wednesday, March 7∙ 12:30 to 1:15 pm
Fort Street Mall
South East Asia
Wednesday, March 21∙ 12:30 to 1:15 pm
Fort Street Mall
First-Year Spring Break
Freshman and first-year transfer students are invited to participate in the First-Year Spring Break activities sponsored by First-Year Programs.
Kayaking Tour at Kailua Beach
Wednesday, March 28
This guided paddling and snorkeling tour takes place on the calm-reef protected waters of Kailua Bay. Enjoy the sun, meet Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, and learn about Hawaiian history, marine life, and our island's geological formations. Tour provided by Twogood Kayaks.
- 9 AM - 3 PM plus travel time.
- Includes kayaking, snorkeling, lunch, and transportation.
- $35 per person (a $125 value).
- HPU Kayaking Activity Waiver and Twogood Kayaks Activity Waiver
Polynesian Cultural Center
Thursday, March 29
Explore the Pacific islands! Visit seven Pacific villages for demonstrations on tattooing, spear tossing, drums, dancing, and more. Then take a seat for a luau dinner, followed by a live show Hā: Breath of Life - complete with flaming swords. www.polynesia.com
- 2 PM - 9 PM plus travel.
- Includes admission, dinner, show, and transportation.
- $15 per person (a $100 value).
Reserve your spot by Monday, March 19! To reserve a space, email readysetgo@hpu.edu. Please include ALL of the following information:
- Name
- HPU email address
- Cell phone
- Pick-up location (Ohia, Downtown Shuttle Stop, or Hawai‘i Loa Shuttle Stop).




Hawai'i Pacific University