Hundreds of prospective students, their ʻohana, alumni and community members filled the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus on November 15, for Discover UH Mānoa, the university’s largest annual open house.
The three-hour event offered guests a rare, all-access experience across campus, featuring more than 100 academic programs and student services, hands-on demonstrations, workshops, research activities, live entertainment and guided tours.
“I hope they walk away feeling that this is their ʻohana. We can’t wait to welcome them in, support them, and help them reach every goal they’re chasing,” said UH President Wendy Hensel. “We’re truly excited for this next generation, come on in, we’re ready for you.”
Event highlights
Visitors got a lively snapshot of campus life through hands-on workshops, research demos and student projects from a wide range of units at UH Mānoa everything from STEM, the arts, humanities and Hawaiian studies. The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience drew crowds with its cooking demonstrations, serving up green onion Korean pancakes and ʻuala desserts, made from locally grown ingredients. The UH Marching Band and UH athletes kept the crowd energized with performances and meet-and-greet opportunities.
Farrington High School senior Mikaela Paet explored the event with her classmates and said she was excited to learn more about the program she hopes to pursue.
“Just walking around the campus makes me very welcomed. A lot of the programs interest me, specifically nursing,” Paet said.
The day also featured an Alumni Makers’ Market, food trucks, free shave ice, prizes, giveaways, UH Bookstore merchandise and guided housing tours, giving visitors a well-rounded look at life on campus.
“UH Mānoa offers something rare—world-class research opportunities, strong academic programs, Division I athletics, and a campus experience you won’t find just anywhere. It’s truly an exceptional place to learn and grow,” said Vassilis Syrmos, interim provost at UH Mānoa.
UH Mānoa’s rising momentum
The annual open house comes as UH Mānoa continues to earn national recognition. The university recently climbed 62 spots in the 2026 Wall Street Journal Best Colleges rankings and set new records in research funding and philanthropy.
Enrollment has also reached its highest level in five years, signaling strong demand from Hawaiʻi families and students from around the world.
