Hawaii Pacific University celebrates new science complex
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) kicked off a new chapter Friday with the grand opening of its impressive 20,000-square-foot Downtown Science Laboratories, located at 1042 Fort Street Mall.
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The event brought together HPU trustees, community leaders, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the university to celebrate this exciting milestone.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi joined the festivities, presenting HPU with an Award of Recognition. He highlighted the university's commitment to enhancing education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) right in the heart of downtown Honolulu.
"This facility is crucial to our mission of advancing research and education in the sciences," said HPU Acting Provost Brenda Jensen, Ph.D. "With this new space, we're doubling down on our commitment to hands-on learning and training the next generation of leaders in STEM."
The new four-story building is packed with resources, featuring five teaching labs for subjects like chemistry, biology, and environmental science, as well as specialized research labs for more advanced studies. There's even a darkroom and a lounge for faculty to unwind.
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This complex is set to play a key role in revitalizing the Fort Street Mall and the surrounding area.
The Downtown Science Laboratories are the final piece of HPU's plan to centralize its urban campus. Since 2014, the university has made strides in becoming one of the largest private institutions in downtown Honolulu, with key locations like Aloha Tower Marketplace and Pioneer Plaza nearby.
"This opening is a major win for HPU and our vision for a unified campus," said HPU President John Gotanda. "Having all our facilities within walking distance really enhances collaboration and innovation, while also contributing to the revitalization of downtown."
HPU's College of Natural and Computational Sciences offers a wide array of undergraduate programs, including biology, marine biology, and environmental science.
It also features a Master of Science in Marine Science, preparing students for diverse careers in the field.
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For more details on HPU's academic offerings, visit their website.
