Here's another chance to learn about UH’s “Campus Town” plans this week

With help from multi-disciplinary firm PBR Hawaiʻi, The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is exploring redevelopment possibilities for its 15-acre property on the western end of campus bordered by University Avenue, Metcalf Street, and Dole Street.

One option, dubbed "Campus Town," would turn the area into “a vibrant campus town” that “could help improve the UH Mānoa experience by providing opportunities for activity and gathering through providing a mix of educational uses, housing, along with shops, restaurants and cafes that will serve as social destinations during evenings and weekends for students, faculty, staff and the overall community,” PBR Hawaiʻi said.

“The University of Hawaiʻi is currently drafting a feasibility study, as requested by the state Legislature in 2023, to explore potential redevelopment options for the university owned property,” UH spokeswoman Moanikeala Nabarro told Aloha State Daily in an emailed statement. “This effort is also significant for the university, Mānoa and the surrounding community, as UH will be relocating a significant portion of its program presence from the property before the end of the calendar year. This presents an opportunity for the university, the state, the city and the broader community to identify potential future uses for the site.”

A community outreach workshop will take place from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. this Wednesday, May 14, at the Noelani Elementary School cafeteria, located at 2655 Woodlawn Dr. Check-in begins at 6 p.m. and refreshments will be provided, according to PBR Hawaiʻi.

“The workshop is designed to identify the needs, priorities and concerns of our community, with a focus on enhancing the UH Mānoa student experience,” the firm said in an email. “Feedback … will guide the identification of potential land uses, amenities, services and spaces for inclusion in conceptual plans."

This event will feature “the identical presentation and facilitated activity” as the prior May 2 workshop at UH Mānoa.

For more information, contact uhcampustown@gmail.com, or call 808-521-5631.

According to University Laboratory School Principal A. Keoni Jeremiah, a memo went out May 1 to the charter school’s community about UH’s plans.

“Included in this communication, we have shared that UH does not have any specific plan for the site and the current outreach efforts related to the feasibility study is to gather valuable insights from UH Manoa students, faculty, staff and the community,” Jeremiah told ASD by email.

The memo states that ULS has been in communication with UH and planning firm PBR Hawaiʻi. “We participated in an early meeting to share our perspective and learn more about an initiative currently being explored.”

“…The purpose of this project is to explore how the area might better serve the university and the broader community — which could include ULS,” Jeremiah wrote. “As part of this early process, community forums are being held to gather input. One of these meetings is scheduled for the evening of May 14, and families are welcome and encouraged to attend. Your presence helps demonstrate the strong support for ULS and ensures our voices are part of the conversation. It’s important to know that no decisions have been made at this stage. This is an initial phase focused on gathering ideas and feedback from stakeholders like us.

“We are committed to keeping you informed as we continue to engage in the process and learn more.”

UH confirmed, “It is important to note that UH has no specific or actionable plans to redevelop the property that would require the relocation of the charter school. Neither the university’s current long-range development plan (2019) nor its six-year Capital Improvement Plan (ending in 2028) includes any plans to redevelop the site. Any potential redevelopment would be many years away, and the Lab School would be provided ample notice and included in the planning process."

UH’s Long Range Development Plan and six-year CIP Plan from the Board of Regents Committee on Planning and Facilities were approved in 2022.

Educators, parents of students at ULS and community members have voiced their concerns via local media about the potential redevelopment.

In March 2024, Honolulu Civil Beat featured an Op-Ed from David Sherrill, a retired UH associate professor of educational psychology, who said, "If Campus Town is built, it will link the campus and an entertainment/shopping venue — hardly the monument to education it is intended to be."

More recently, Honolulu Star-Advertiser shared a letter from parents of children who attend University Laboratory School, and Hawaiʻi News Now spoke with residents of Mānoa, to gauge its potential impact to the community.

Some ULS parents have even organized an online petition – which to date, has reached over 2,000 signatures in opposition – to be submitted to UH President Wendy Hensel.

"To have UH following the trend of focusing on money over the needs of the community by proposing to build a shopping center is disheartening. They should be championing our children's education and looking for ways to meet the needs of our state, not selling out for profit," a ULS parent with students in 8th and 10th grade told ASD by email.

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.