Student residence for most first-year students at the University of Hawaii on the Mānoa campus underwent a major renovation in the summer of 2024. The lobbies and common areas of the four 13-story Hale Aloha Towers were extensively renovated. The towers house 1,040 freshmen each academic year, nearly a third of the 3,400 students who live at the university. UH Manoa.

“These renovations and all recent improvements to the student residence halls are intended to improve the overall living experience by creating more inviting spaces for our students,” said UH David Akana, Director of Mānoa Student Housing Services. “We hope the new common areas will foster a sense of community among residents and encourage interaction and collaboration.”

Improvements from floor to ceiling

The project includes polished concrete floors, upgraded lighting, ceiling fans and new furniture in the lobbies, mid-floor common area and activity lounge on the 13th floor recreation deck of the four towers. Some furniture is yet to be delivered and everything is scheduled to be installed by the end of October.

“A few people actually came by to see the renovations and they said they were very jealous because it wasn’t as nice when they lived there,” said Camille Downey, a sophomore and residential assistant at Hale Aloha Mokihana Tower. “It looks like a lot of people are happy living in the building, the quality of life is better and when you come back from classes you have a better place to study and live.”

Hang out, learn, collaborate

The renovated lobbies are larger with new furniture and large screens TVs. The common area in the middle of the even floors features new wooden benches, additional power outlets, lounge seating, work tables and whiteboards to better support group learning and gatherings.

The common rooms and kitchens on the 13th floor of each tower feature new lounge seating, garden chairs, picnic and work tables, a large screen TV and a foosball table. The kitchens were upgraded to include a built-in counter along the walls, a stainless steel family table in the center, and new appliances and stainless steel countertops. The dens have new work booths, chairs, and lounge seating.

“I have a feeling everyone will be sitting in the lobby watching TVwith the fans, and we may even have programs there where people can meet,” Downey said. “I think it’s going to be a really good place for people to come into the building.”

Each tower now has its own pop of color, inspired by the island flower for which the tower is named. This color can be found on the columns in the first floor lobbies and in the 13th floor activity lounges and kitchens. Yellows and golds for Hale Aloha ʻIlima, bold reds for Hale Aloha Lehua, mauve and purples for Hale Aloha Lokelani, and lime green for Hale Aloha Mokihana. Also on the walls is a graphic designed by Sig Zane that indicates the building name.

The renovation project was based in part on the input of students who participated in interactive workshops at the property in December 2023.

Wave of improvements

Another recent improvement is the installation of over 1,400 brand new, energy efficient micro-refrigerators (microwave/refrigerator combinations) in all guest rooms and/or suite areas except the Hale Wainani Apartments.

This follows the installation of water refueling stations in early 2024 in each of the student housing communities and the opening of a new Starbucks in January 2024 in the Gateway Café. Improvements in 2023 include new mattresses, improved Wi-Fi, repairs to hundreds of windows, bed frames and air conditioning units, and more.