Brigham Young University–Hawaii announced on May 15 that Okland Construction has started building vertically on the university’s new welcome center, marking a key milestone in the campus development project. The two-story structure, referred to as building B, will serve as the primary entrance for students and visitors and will include administrative spaces and modern classrooms.
The new construction is part of an ongoing effort to provide updated facilities for students while supporting the university’s mission. The welcome center will feature two wings for student administration and will be flanked by classroom buildings designed to encourage collaboration and leadership-focused learning.
Project manager Shane Barkdull said, “We’ve completed the slab on grade and have started going vertical, meaning construction on the walls is now underway.” Barkdull also said he expects exterior work to finish by 2027 with interior work beginning after that. Sustainability measures have been incorporated into early phases of construction; concrete from the former Aloha Center was crushed and reused for this project, reducing waste and carbon emissions while maintaining a connection to campus history.
A notable feature of building B will be a glass installation created by local artist Jack Soren. “The artwork will be visible to everyone once the building is complete,” said Barkdull. “The piece will depict an image of Christ, integrated directly into the glass, designed in such a way that one can still see through the glass, but the image will be clearly visible within it.” In addition to this art installation, a time capsule is being constructed within the welcome center that will hold memories from campus life before being sealed for 25 years.
Construction has also begun on building D, which includes plans for a larger auditorium with enhanced technology compared to existing venues. Barkdull explained that current efforts focus on site preparation: “Right now, we’re focused on site preparation. That includes removing unsuitable soil, adding a reinforced layer for structural support, and then bringing the ground up to grade—similar to the other buildings,” he said.
Looking ahead, these developments are expected to shape student experiences at Brigham Young University–Hawaii well into future generations.
