“Aloha shirts, tails out!” Remember that phrase here at Saunders Hall. This building stands as a testament to advocacy and change.
Saunders Hall was built in 1974. In 2002, it was renamed after Allan and Marian Saunders. Allan Saunders was a professor. Marian Saunders worked in government and advocacy.
Allan Saunders made a significant impact. He started the Hawaiʻi chapters of important organizations. These included the League of American Women Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union. He also championed the right of UH professors to wear Aloha shirts.
Originally, UH professors had to wear neckties and coats. The Aloha shirt was not allowed. Saunders created an organization. It was called “Faculty Wearers of Aloha Shirts.” Today, faculty can wear Aloha attire. No one is forced to wear a necktie. Allan Saunders’ advocacy changed the rules.
Marion Saunders also had a remarkable career. She served on the Board of Education. She was a coordinator for Micronesian students in Hawaiʻi. She dedicated her life to government and advocacy.
Vladimir Ossipoff designed Saunders Hall. He also designed Bachman and Snyder Hall. The Allied Construction Company built it. Saunders Hall has a unique feature. It has an enclosed courtyard. Inside, you will find a seating area. This courtyard features three Pelagodoxa henryana. This is a rare type of palm tree. It is the only species in the genus Pelagodoxa.
Saunders Hall houses various departments and programs. The Department of Anthropology is here. The School of Communication and Information is housed here. You can also find the Department of Geography and Environment. The Department of Political Science is also located here. Public Administration Program and the Department of Sociology can also be found in Saunders Hall. The Department of Urban and Regional Planning is here, too. Finally, the Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. The College of Social Sciences is one of the colleges here.
Allan Saunders was born in 1897. He arrived in Hawaiʻi in 1945. He had a one-year contract at UH. He stayed for 21 years. He died at the age of 91.
Saunders Hall represents more than just classrooms. It embodies the spirit of activism. It stands for the right to express oneself. Allan and Marian Saunders left a lasting legacy. This building reminds us of their contributions. It inspires us to advocate for what we believe in.