Guest Information

115th Annual Commencement Exercises
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Stan Sheriff Center

Attending the Ceremony

Tickets will not be issued and the ceremonies are open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-seated basis. To help ensure that each graduate has guests present to share in this moment, graduates are encouraged to limit their party to five (5) individuals in the Stan Sheriff Center arena. Additional guests are welcome to watch a live webcast of the ceremony at Les Murakami Baseball Stadium.

Entering the Stan Sheriff Center Arena

Gates A & B will open to the public at 7:45 a.m. for the morning ceremony and 2:15 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony. Guests planning to watch in the Stan Sheriff Center arena are strongly encouraged to arrive when doors open, as the arena will close once maximum capacity is reached. Once capacity is reached, guests will be directed to Les Murakami Baseball Stadium to watch the live webcast of the ceremony.

Elevators are available both in the parking structure and in the athletic complex. If you are using the parking structure elevators, go to the third floor. If you are using the athletics complex elevators, go to the second floor. Seating for guests with mobility needs is available on the mezzanine level of the arena along the main concourse, which is the same level as the Gate A & B entrances.

Stan Sheriff Center Arena Regulations

Balloons, large signs on posts, confetti, and strollers are not allowed into the arena for safety and security reasons. The clear bag policy does not apply to UH Mānoa commencement exercises.

Please be advised that only graduates will be allowed on the arena floor. All guests will be restricted to the general seating areas.

Photography and Videography

The audience may take photographs and videos from their seats. A photographer will take individual photographs of students as they are recognized on stage. After commencement, the graduate will receive an e-mail from the photographer with a link to view their proof online.

Commencement Programs

Graduates will receive a printed program at their seats, and guests will receive an abbreviated copy upon entry. For additional copies (while supplies last), you may request one beginning Monday, May 18, after the ceremony concludes at this link: go.hawaii.edu/TaD.

Large-type programs are also available upon request (see an usher for assistance). An electronic copy of the program will be posted on the commencement home page closer to the date of the ceremony.

Meeting the Graduates After the Ceremony

Meet your graduate by the appropriate alphabetical sign (corresponding to the first letter of their last name) on the athletic fields for the Lei Reception:

A – K: Clarence T. C. Ching Complex
L – Z: Les Murakami Baseball Stadium

Maps will be available in the commencement program.

While giving lei is a Hawaiʻi tradition, we ask that you support our campus’ waste reduction efforts towards a zero-waste future by taking the following actions before you arrive on-campus:

Leave the plastic clamshell containers at home.
Carry your lei and makana (gifts) in reusable bags.
Make lei from plants growing in your garden instead of purchasing them from the store.

To preserve our newly renovated athletic fields, potentially damaging shoes (i.e., stiletto heels, metal cleats, etc.), streamers, and confetti are prohibited.

Everyone will be asked to clear the fields at 12:30 p.m. for the morning ceremony and 7:00 p.m. for the afternoon ceremony.

Lei Vendors

Several authorized vendors selling lei and other items will be present outside the Diamond Head side of Clarence T. C. Ching field during the commencement ceremonies.

Live Webcast of Ceremony

The ceremony will be webcast live. Please visit this webcast link to watch on the day of the ceremony. A recording will be posted on our website via YouTube within 1–2 weeks after the ceremony concludes.

Wheelchairs

The University does not provide wheelchairs for the commencement ceremonies. Guests who require a wheelchair are encouraged to make arrangements in advance.

The following wheelchair and scooter rental companies may be of service to you:

Hawaiian Islands Medical Corp. (808) 597-8087
Hawaii Wheelchair Rental (808) 772-9723
UGo Mobility (808) 212-9929
Dauterman Healthcare & Mobility (808) 591-8860

Questions? Please email uhm.commencement@hawaii.edu or call (808) 956-GRAD.