History
In the 1960s, two small liberal arts colleges were founded by community members recognizing a need for private education in our newly formed state of Hawai‘i. In 1992, a picturesque Windward college merged with a downtown university, uniting the strength of two academically strong institutions.
In 2014, the Oceanic Institute formally merged with the university, bringing additional multi-disciplinary research opportunities to HPU faculty and students. Aloha Tower Marketplace’s 2015 revitalization includes oceanfront dorms and community gathering spaces.
We are proud to be able to offer our students a traditional college experience through Hawaii Loa Campus, connect them with Hawai‘i’s business center via our downtown campus, and provide innovative learning environments through Oceanic Institute of HPU and Aloha Tower Marketplace. Despite expanding mauka to metro to makai, HPU continues to search for new ways to better serve our students by redefining the frontier of higher education.
1963
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Rev. Harry S. Komuro led the founding of Christian College of the Pacific, with land donated by Harold K. L. Castle. Photo: October – 1963 Mr. Harold K. L. Castle, President of the Kaneohe Ranch Co., is pointing out the site of his 100-acre donation for the Christian College of the Pacific to (l. to r.), Reverend Frank Butterworth, Supt. Of the Methodist Mission in Hawaii; Bishop Harry S. Kennedy, Episcopal Church Diocese of Honolulu; Reverend William E. Phifer, Jr., Minister First Presbyterian Church, Honolulu; and Reverend Joseph J. Bevilacqua, General Secretary Hawaii Conference, United Church of Christ.”
Another view of the Christian College of the Pacific as seen from Pali lookout.
1964
Christian College of the Pacific changes its name to Hawaii Loa College. Photo: September – 1964 – Mr. Harold K. L. Castle and Dr. Joseph J. Bevilacqua officially accept the name of Hawaii Loa College.
1965
I - DR. CHANDLER W. ROWEDr. Chandler W. Rowe becomes Hawaii Loa College’s first president. The state of Hawai‘i grants a charter of incorporation for a nonprofit to be called Hawai‘i Pacific College to Eureka Forbes, Paul C.T. Loo, Elizabeth W. Kellerman, and the Reverend Edmond Walker.
1967
I - DR. JAMES L. MEADERDr. James L. Meader becomes Hawai‘i Pacific College’s first president. President Meader, in consultation with community leaders, develops a comprehensive educational program to meet various higher education needs for the state of Hawai‘i.
1968
II - REVEREND GEORGE A. WARMERAfter Dr. Meader retires, the Board of Trustees elects the Reverend George A. Warmer as Hawai‘i Pacific’s second president. Under President Warmer’s leadership, the College implements academic programs in the liberal arts and cooperative education.
1976
III - CHATT G. WRIGHTPresident Warmer retires and Chatt G. Wright becomes Hawai‘i Pacific College’s third president. Under President Wright’s leadership, Hawai‘i Pacific continues to expand and develop throughout the 1980s, and in 1990 becomes Hawai‘i Pacific University (HPU).
1978
II - PHILLIP BOSSERTHawaii Loa College philosophy professor Phillip Bossert becomes the second president.
1986
III - MARVIN ANDERSONMarvin Anderson becomes Hawaii Loa College’s third president.
1990
IV - DR. DWIGHT M. SMITHDr. Dwight M. Smith becomes Hawaii Loa College’s fourth president.
1992
Hawaii Loa College merges with Hawai‘i Pacific University. This historic merger brought together the strength of two academically strong institutions and helped to expand Hawai‘i Pacific University’s role as a leader in higher education for the state of Hawai‘i and the Pacific Basin.
2011
IV - DR. GEOFFREY BANNISTERHawai‘i Pacific University’s Board of Trustees names Dr. Geoffrey Bannister as HPU’s fourth president.
2012
Governor Neil Abercrombie signs a special purpose revenue bond for Hawai‘i Pacific University, issued by the state legislature that will help HPU raise as much as $120 million for critical capital projects at its three locations around O‘ahu.
2014
HPU completes merger to bring Oceanic Institute formally into the university. HPU holds the blessing and groundbreaking for the revitalization of Aloha Tower Marketplace.
2015
Hawai‘i Pacific University celebrates its 50th anniversary.
V - JOHN GOTANDAHawai‘i Pacific University welcomes John Gotanda as its fifth president. |
