COMMENCEMENT
Celebrate the Journey. Embrace the Future.
Commencement at Chaminade is more than a ceremony. It is a celebration of purpose, perseverance, and transformation. Each year at the Waikīkī Shell, we gather as one ʻohana to honor the accomplishments of our graduates—future leaders and changemakers who carry Chaminade’s spirit into the world. Congratulations to our newest graduates—your journey is just beginning.
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Class of 2026, Now Is Your Moment!
If you are on track to complete your degree requirements in spring, summer, or fall 2026, you are eligible to participate in the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies.
The finish line is in sight—get ready!
Introduction
At Chaminade, our students open their minds to new knowledge and perspectives. They open their hearts to service and leadership grounded in the principles of community, faith, social justice, and intellectual inquiry. And they open their futures to new horizons, carrying with them the values, purpose, and confidence to create positive change in their communities—in Hawaiʻi, the Pacific Islands, and beyond.
Each year at the Waikīkī Shell, the Chaminade ʻohana comes together to celebrate this journey of learning and transformation. Our commencement ceremony honors the dedication and spirit of our graduates as they join a network of proud Silversword alumni who contribute meaningfully to the world.
Congratulations to our graduates, and mahalo nui loa for allowing Chaminade to be part of your journey to grow academically, personally, and professionally.
Direct questions to Pono Riddle, Director of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Success, at [email protected] (preferred) or (808) 739-7459.
Important Dates
Spring 2026 Grad Fest
Clarence T.C. Ching Conference Center, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026
10:30 AM–2:30 PM
For graduates
Spring 2026 Commencement Mass with Blessing of Graduates
Mystical Rose Oratory, Chaminade University of Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Thursday, May 7, 2026
6–7:00 PM
For graduates and guests
Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies
Graduate Ceremony (Master’s and Doctoral Degrees)
Waikīkī Shell, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Friday, May 8, 2026
6–7:30 PM
For graduates and guests
Undergraduate Ceremony (Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees)
Waikīkī Shell, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Saturday, May 9, 2026
6–7:30 PM
For graduates and guests
Chaminade confers degrees at the end of each term; however, only one commencement ceremony is held each year in the spring. Students who are certified to complete their degree requirements during the calendar year may participate in that year’s ceremony. For example, a student who is certified to complete their degree requirements in the summer or fall may participate in the spring ceremony.
Ceremony
Venue and Guest Information
Location: Waikīkī Shell, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi
Doors Open: 2 hours before the ceremony for graduates and 1 hour before for guests
Duration: 2 hours (varies by number of graduates)
Ticket Information
Each graduate will receive 1 graduate ticket and 10 guest tickets by email. Tickets may be added to Apple or Google Wallet. Children aged 3 or under do not need a ticket.
Seating is first-come, first-served. A standing area is located toward the back of the Waikīkī Shell. Personal chairs are not permitted in this area.
Additional tickets may become available in early March. Availability and distribution details will be communicated to graduates by email.
Digital Name Cards and Programs
Graduates will receive an email from [email protected] or one of our partners by mid-March 2026 with instructions on how to register for their digital name card and program. Please check your Chaminade email regularly.
Live Stream
Families and friends who cannot attend in person are invited to view the spring 2026 commencement ceremonies via live stream. Additional details will be shared by email by mid-March 2026.
Regalia & Attire
Regalia
Graduates who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony must purchase their cap, gown, and tassel by the posted deadline. Regalia may be purchased from Herff Jones. It may be picked up at the Chaminade University of Honolulu Bookstore or during the Grad Fair. It may also be shipped.
Videos on how to wear your regalia are available here. Viewing before the event is highly recommended.
Attire
Attire Under the Gown
Graduates must wear a light-colored dress top, dark-colored dress bottoms, and dark-colored dress shoes or heels.
Gown
Graduates must wear a fully-zipped standard-issue Chaminade gown. Decorations are not permitted.
Cap and Tassel
Graduates must wear a standard-issue Chaminade cap and tassel.
Cap decorations are permitted; however, they must be appropriate for the formal commencement ceremony. They may not be objectionable and may not include 3D elements or lights. Chaminade University of Honolulu reserves the right to require graduates to exchange their personalized caps for standard-issue caps to participate in the ceremony. Standard-issue caps will be readily available at check-in.
Tassel decorations are not permitted.
Regalia Accessories
Graduates may wear approved regalia accessories, such as cords and sashes representing recognized academic and co-curricular programs. Decorations are not permitted.
Lei
Graduates may wear lei during the commencement ceremony.
Grad Fest
Chaminade University of Honolulu hosts a Grad Fest each year—an exciting event where graduates can collect their name card, regalia (if ordered ahead), and regalia accessories. Graduates can also connect with representatives from the Office of Student Success and the Office of Advancement.
Graduates must present a valid Chaminade ID to collect their name card, regalia, and regalia accessories. Grad Fest staff may alternatively accept a valid state-issued ID, driver’s license, or federally issued ID such as a passport.
Parking & Accessibility
Parking
Parking, including accessible parking, will be available at the Waikīkī Shell lot and nearby Kapiʻolani Park lots. However, space will be limited. Graduates and guests are encouraged to use public transportation or arrange a ride through a ridesharing service. Complimentary shuttle service will be available for graduates and guests who park on the Chaminade campus. Additional details will be shared by email by mid-April 2026.
Accessibility
The Waikīkī Shell has a designated drop-off area for graduates and guests with disabilities, as well as accessible seating and restrooms. Graduates and guests with disabilities are encouraged to contact Pono Riddle, Director of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Success, at [email protected] (preferred) or (808) 739-7459 for accessibility accommodations.
Photography & Videography
GradImages, Chaminade University of Honolulu’s photography partner, and Tassel, the university’s videography partner, will email each graduate about a week after their commencement ceremony. Graduates will receive a link to access their stage photo proofs from GradImages and their 10- to 20-second stage video from Tassel.
Guests may take photos and videos during the event, but they must not block passageways or obstruct others’ views to ensure safety and accessibility. Graduates and guests may meet in Kapiʻolani Park after the event for additional photos and videos.
Student Speaker Auditions
Undergraduate and graduate students with a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher may audition to be the student speaker for their commencement ceremony. Auditions will be reviewed by the Student Speaker Auditions Review Committee. Selected undergraduate and graduate student speakers will receive individualized coaching from a faculty or staff member to help them prepare for the event.
Interested? Register for the Student Speaker Auditions by Friday, February 13, 2026. Auditions will be held on Monday, February 23, and Wednesday, February 25, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, in Kōkua ʻIke on campus. Please bring two copies of your speech to present to the committee. Speeches should be approximately 750 words, or about 5 minutes when spoken at a standard pace.
Graduation Gifts
Celebrate your graduate’s accomplishments with official Chaminade merchandise and gifts from Herff Jones, including diploma frames and alumni apparel.
