Five University of Hawaiʻi campuses—UH Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Community College, Windward Community College, UH Maui College and Honolulu Community College—have been featured in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2026 Edition on October 21.
The guide profiles 388 colleges that foster a culture of environmental responsibility and demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability.
“We are continuously growing sustainability across UH’s planning and operations,” said Miles Topping, UH Office of Sustainability director. “These efforts have been ongoing for many years and getting recognized is reinforcement that this is the right thing to do. We will continue to work with departments, students, agencies, and utilities to advance sustainability through engagement, outreach, planning and projects, and continue leading by example.”
The Princeton Review chose the colleges based on a 2024–2025 survey of administrators at 401 colleges about their institutions’ sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The company also surveyed students attending the colleges about their “green” campus experiences. The school selections were based on more than 25 data points from the surveys.
“It’s great to see UH Mānoa recognized for its sustainability efforts across the spectrum of academics and campus life,” said Makena Coffman, UH Mānoa director for the institute of sustainability and resilience. “Sustainability is a focal point for UH Mānoa curriculum, and it’s been so rewarding to see the rapid growth in student engagement.”
Of the more than 7,000 students the company polled for its 2025 College Hopes & Worries Survey, 59% said having information about a college’s commitment to the environment would affect their decision to apply to or attend the school.
The profiles in the Guide to Green Colleges detail the schools’ uses of renewable energy, their recycling and conservation programs, and the availability of environmental studies in their academic offerings. The guide also provides a “Green Rating” for each school on a scale of 60 to 99.
Campus distinctions:
- UH Mānoa received a Green Rating of 82.
- Hawaiʻi CC received a Green Rating of 84.
- Windward CC received a Green Rating of 81.
- UH Maui College received a Green Rating of 84.
- Honolulu CC received a Green Rating of 85.
The Princeton Review has published its Guide to Green Colleges annually since 2010.
