News Updates
HAWAII PACIFIC UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES NEW FACILITIES IN DOWNTOWN HONOLULU
October 4, 2018
HONOLULU – Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) announced today its plans to move into over 120,000 square feet of newly leased space in downtown Honolulu creating a dynamic, more-centralized campus that’s designed to meet the changing needs of college students and faculty. When completed, HPU will occupy over 350,000 square feet in downtown Honolulu, making it the largest private occupant of real estate in the city center.
The university will relocate operations and academic spaces at Hawaii Loa campus, Lower and Upper Bishop, Kukui Plaza and most of Upper Fort Street to Waterfront Plaza and Pioneer Plaza, creating the centralized urban campus, anchored by its Aloha Tower Marketplace facility, which is called for in its 2014 Campus Master Plan. This decision also outlines the university’s plan for relocating its College of Natural and Computational Sciences and College of Health and Society from Windward Oahu to downtown, bringing advanced instruction and research initiatives in closer proximity to many of the state’s largest hospitals, clinics, businesses
“Securing new facilities at Waterfront Plaza and Pioneer Plaza is a monumental step in fulfilling HPU’s vision of a world-class urban campus,” said John Y. Gotanda, president of Hawaii Pacific University. “Our build-out will focus on student-centric enhancements, further delivering HPU’s promise of hands-on, innovative programming for market-ready education.”
New state-of-the-art facilities will include over 30 classrooms promoting active, personalized education, enriched distance learning and a one-stop student center with
HPU worked with Brandon Bera and Karen Birkett of Colliers International and landlord, Pacific Office Properties, to find spaces for two colleges moving from Hawaiʻi Loa, the College of Liberal Arts, an undergraduate and graduate library, classrooms and student services at Waterfront Plaza. The College of Professional Studies and executive offices will join the College of Business at Pioneer Plaza, part of an increased lease from existing landlord, MW Group Ltd.
“We are pleased to announce that HPU will be leasing approximately 100,000 square feet at Waterfront Plaza for a minimum term of 15 years. Once this lease commences, we will be close to fully occupied,” stated Lawrence Taff, president of Pacific Office Properties. “With over 550,000 square feet of leasable space spread over seven low-rise buildings situated on nine acres of land, Waterfront Plaza offers a campus environment for HPU that is unmatched within the urban core. This location’s easy access from HPU’s other facilities by foot, bicycle, motor vehicle or public transportation, as well as ample parking, will afford students and staff a gathering place to enjoy our restaurants, outdoor courtyards with complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as Kakaako’s multiple shopping and dining experiences.”
The migration of two colleges previously housed at the Hawaii Loa Campus will bring over 1,000 students and faculty members to downtown Honolulu, increasing economic opportunity and supporting the current revitalization of the community.
“As one of the largest leaseholders in downtown, HPU draws thousands of students and faculty members into the neighborhood,” said Steve Metter, CEO
“Since the beginning, HPU has been a vital part of the city’s center, working together to groom the next generation of global leaders,” said Richard Hunter, chairman of the board of trustees for HPU. “This move will be an impactful integration of resources for business development and diversity in our state.”
HPU expects to move into the majority of new classrooms, labs