Founded in 1965 as Hawaii Pacific College and merging with Honolulu Christian College in 1966 and Hawaii Loa College in 1992, Hawaii Pacific University is the largest private comprehensive university in Hawaii. Spanning an urban downtown Honolulu campus alongside the Makapuu oceanic research center, HPU connects marine biology, international business analytics, nursing, diplomatic studies, and PacWest athletic traditions. You can explore its founding charter, merger history, and campus expansion through the Hawaii Pacific University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend HPU, you enter an internationally diverse private university characterized by small class sizes, direct professional networking, and deep integration into Honolulu's commercial and marine sectors. Living in Honolulu places you steps away from financial firms, ocean preserves, and cultural districts.
Premier Academic Programs
HPU organizes its instruction across specialized colleges holding national reputations for career excellence:
- College of Business: AACSB-accredited business school famous for international business, hospitality analytics, corporate finance, and marketing. Explore degree options on the HPU College of Business portal.
- College of Natural and Computational Sciences: Global leader in marine biology, oceanography, environmental science, and cybersecurity.
- School of Nursing: Prepares clinical registered nurses and family nurse practitioners through state-of-the-art simulation laboratories.
- College of Liberal Arts: Features acclaimed programs in international relations, mass communication, diplomacy, and psychology.
"An International University in the Pacific, reflecting HPU's global student body and career focus."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Aloha Tower Marketplace promenade, the Waterfront Plaza classrooms, and the Atherton Library. School spirit revolves around Sharky the Sea Warrior, the energetic costumed mascot representing HPU Sharks athletic teams in NCAA Division II Pacific West Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and championship programs on the official HPU Sharks Athletics portal. Cheering inside the Shark Tank gym for volleyball and basketball games, participating in international night festivals, and joining over 60 student clubs creates an engaging campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Marine Biology
HPU operates an active research framework featuring world-class oceanic research and aquaculture facilities:
- Oceanic Institute of HPU: 56-acre marine research complex at Makapuu Point pioneering sustainable aquaculture, marine finfish breeding, and coastal ecology.
- Biotechnology and Marine Science Laboratories: High-tech research center analyzing marine natural products and environmental toxicology. Learn more via HPU Research Operations.
- Center for Cyber Security Education: Advanced technology facility where computer science students analyze real-time network defense.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of corporate founders, military commanders, authors, and public leaders, including:
- Tulsi Gabbard: Former U.S. Congresswoman and military officer who earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at HPU.
- Vivian Vance: Prominent international business executive and financial consultant directing Pacific trade firms.
- Christopher L. Smith: Renowned marine biologist and director of coastal conservation initiatives across the Pacific West.
- Radasha Ho'ohuli: Miss Hawaii USA titleholder and media personality who earned her degree at Hawaii Pacific University.
HPU provides generous merit scholarship coverage and need-based financial aid for admitted domestic and international students. Review full admission standards on the official HPU Admissions portal.