Did you know Hemenway Hall wasn’t always a hub for student life? This very building you see before you stands as a silent witness to history. Hemenway Hall named after Charles Reed Hemenway a prominent Honolulu businessman and University of Hawai’i regent played a pivotal role in shaping the university. He was instrumental in establishing the College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts the precursor to the university we know today. Hemenway’s influence extended beyond the academic realm.
He was a key figure in a crucial decision during World War II. The internment of Japanese Americans on the West Coast was a dark chapter in American history. However thanks in part to Hemenway’s advocacy and his strong belief in the loyalty of Japanese Americans in Hawai’i mass internment was avoided here. His testimony swayed FBI Director Robert L Shivers who held sole authority on these matters. Hemenway’s influence saved countless lives.
Constructed in 1938 Hemenway Hall is a beautiful example of architecture designed by Claude Albon Stiehl. Its U-shaped design with a wide lanai on the second floor offers stunning ocean views. More than just a pretty building Hemenway Hall served a critical function after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It became an evacuation shelter providing refuge to those displaced by the attack. It later housed the US Armed Forces Institute.
Today Hemenway Hall continues to serve the university community. It houses student organizations like the Graduate Student Organization the Student Activity Program and the Student Media Program. It’s also home to the Ka Leo student newspaper and KTUH 90.1 FM the campus radio station. This building buzzes with activity a testament to its enduring legacy. Hemenway Hall is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a living monument to a man who championed education and justice and a building that played a key role in Hawai’i’s history. It embodies the spirit of resilience and the pursuit of knowledge values deeply rooted in the heart of the University of Hawai’i. So take a moment soak in the atmosphere and remember the stories etched within these walls.