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HPU marked a milestone this morning with the grand opening of its 20,000-square-foot science complex, the “Downtown Science Laboratories,” located at 1042 Fort Street Mall. The celebratory event welcomed HPU trustees, community leaders, HPU faculty, staff, and students, and close friends of the Å·ÃÀAƬ. 

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi signed an award of recognition to honor the achievement, commending HPU’s dedication to advancing education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and its efforts to provide students with a world-class education in downtown Honolulu. The building project’s development was led by Christine Camp of Avalon Group, a Honolulu-based full-service real estate development, consulting, and sales company.

“HPU’s Downtown Science Laboratories are a cornerstone of our dedication to advancing research and education in the sciences,” said HPU Acting Provost, Professor Brenda Jensen, Ph.D. “With this dramatic increase in space dedicated to teaching and research laboratories, these facilities demonstrate our commitment to experiential learning and undergraduate research to train our students to become future leaders in STEM. This is a pivotal moment for HPU and our mission to educate the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

The unveiling of the new lab complex is a significant leap forward in HPU’s commitment to advancing STEM education. The four-floor facility includes five teaching labs for general chemistry, organic chemistry, organismal biology, microbiology, and environmental sciences, and specialized research labs for cell culture, molecular biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental sciences, as well as a dark room, a security office, and a faculty lounge. Beyond its educational role, the complex is integral to the ongoing revitalization efforts of Fort Street Mall and the greater Honolulu downtown area.

The Downtown Science Laboratories is the final piece of HPU’s strategic plan to centralize and expand its urban campus. Since 2014, the Å·ÃÀAƬ has undergone a transformative journey, becoming one of the largest private occupants in downtown Honolulu. Aloha Tower Marketplace serves as HPU’s focal point, while Pioneer Plaza on Fort Street Mall is a key part of the campus triangle. Just a short walk away, Waterfront Plaza houses student services, the library, the College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Graduate Health Sciences, the School of Nursing, and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, which includes the Allen and Nobuko Zecha Engineering Program. All three campus locations are within a close proximity to one another.

“The opening of HPU’s Downtown Science Laboratories marks the culmination of our vision to create a fully centralized urban campus in the heart of Honolulu, and it’s an incredible achievement for HPU,” said HPU President John Gotanda. “With Pioneer Plaza, Waterfront Plaza, and Aloha Tower Marketplace all within walking distance, and now our science facility on Fort Street Mall, HPU has truly established itself as a nimble, thriving urban campus. This milestone reflects our dedication to creating an integrated academic environment that fosters collaboration and innovation, while helping to play a key role in the revitalization of downtown Honolulu.”

HPU’s College of Natural and Computational Sciences offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate majors in fields such as biology, marine biology, environmental science, environmental studies, biochemistry, chemistry, and oceanography. Complementing these undergraduate programs is the Master of Science in Marine Science (MSMS), which equips students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in marine science and related areas, preparing them for diverse career opportunities in the field. 

To learn more about the academic programs in the College of Natural and Computational Sciences, click here.

 

All photos by Michael Matsushita.