As the only Catholic University in Hawai`i, and one of three Marianist higher-education institutions in the U.S., we at Chaminade University are guided by the understanding that both reason and faith are essential conditions in the pursuit of truth. Our community is a family where students mature into world citizens who respect the complexity and diversity of others, value community service, and strive to create a more just society. Our faculty emphasize critical thinking and creative problem solving while mentoring students in more than 25 undergraduate and graduate programs in the fine arts and humanities, sciences and mathematics, behavioral sciences, business and communication, education, and nursing. Located in the international city of Honolulu on the island of O`ahu, Chaminade is regarded for its remarkably diverse student body–students come from the Hawai`i, the mainland U.S., the Pacific region, and beyond. Class sizes are small, with a low student-to-faculty ratio. Here, students develop professionally through service learning projects, research and internship experiences, and leadership and community networking opportunities. At Chaminade, students receive a personalized education that prepares them for an ever-changing future.
Our History
Chaminade University of Honolulu was founded in 1955 under the guidance of five Marianists eager to establish a Catholic institution of higher education in Hawai`i. Initially, Chaminade started out as a two-year college, St. Louis Junior College, and welcomed thirty young men to the inaugural class. Within two years, the school expanded to a four-year, co-educational intuition and changed its name to Chaminade College in honor of Father William Joseph Chaminade, the founder of the Society of Mary (Marianists). Chaminade expanded its services to the community in 1967 with the establishment of an evening session to serve adults with business, family, and military responsibilities who desired to pursue a college degree. In 1977, the university finalized its evolution, adding graduate programs to become Chaminade University of Honolulu. Currently, 23 undergraduate degrees and 6 graduate programs are available.
The History of Our Campus
The iconic Spanish Mission inspired buildings of Clarence T.C. Ching Hall, Eiben Hall and Henry Hall have sat prominently on the slopes of Kalaepohaku for nearly a century. Many features of our beautiful campus, like the E Komo Mai Circle and statue of Father Chaminade have been fixtures since the first students of Saint Louis School arrived in 1928. In the true spirit of our mission, the campus was called upon to serve the community during World War II. Classes were moved to nearby institutions and the campus was transformed into a temporary hospital, hosting the Army’s 147th General Hospital for five years. Classes resumed in January 1946 and welcomed the first class of college students in 1955. Over the past ten years, our campus has undergone a tremendous second transformation, expanding facilities and updating our technical infrastructure to include the Sullivan Family Library, Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence K.W. (BoHing Chan) Tseu Center for Nursing Education, and renovated science laboratories.
Academic Excellence
Chaminade students study under the guidance of an excellent, involved faculty. Our degree programs are thorough preparation for careers in the workplace, or for continued studies in graduate school. Our programs are geared so that each individual student can develop to their fullest academic potential.
At Chaminade we are dedicated to educating the student as a whole person. Our campus is a lively classroom for learning about living and working in the 21st century. Chaminade students are prepared through challenging discourse; exercise in diverse methods of inquiry; and moral guidance and spiritual exploration. Participation in Chaminade’s multicultural community enriches and deepens perspectives of humanity, and helps to develop skills and awareness needed by leaders.
Diversity and Community
Chaminade is a meeting place, a gathering together of many cultural traditions under one academic roof. Chaminade University is one of the most diverse colleges in the U.S., and provides a model of multi-cultural interaction and understanding. The greater community of Honolulu in which we are located provides another dimension of cultural awareness, as so many cultures co-exist and mutually benefit from one another in this cosmopolitan city.
Students from the mainland US can experience a sense that they are “somewhere else,” and yet they are still going to school in one of the 50 states. Our international students will find a welcome here in Honolulu, Hawai’i, a truly international city with a gracious host culture and immigrants from many areas of the globe. Local students can participate in a wealth of opportunities to discover the world beyond Hawai’i, through Chaminade’s network with other institutions of higher learning.
