BYU–Hawaii reaches another construction milestone as Okland Construction officially begins building vertically on the new welcome center at the center of campus. The project continues to move steadily forward, supporting the university’s mission to provide a Christ-centered education, while also preparing students to become future leaders.
Building B
As the new welcome center, the two-story building B will serve as the face of the university, greeting previous and upcoming students, guests, and all visitors alike. Branching on either side, the two wings will provide student administration space. Two classroom buildings, temporarily named A and C, are on either side of the Welcome Center building, accommodating new modern classroom spaces to foster collaboration and leadership-focused learning.
For the last several months, Okland Construction has been preparing the ground for the building’s foundation. Furthermore, sustainability has also played a role in the project’s early stages. Concrete from the former Aloha Center was crushed and reused as part of the construction process, reducing waste and carbon emissions while giving old materials new purpose. The reuse of these materials also connects the new building, in a tangible way, to part of the university’s history.
“We’ve completed the slab on grade and have started going vertical, meaning construction on the walls is now underway,” said Shane Barkdull, project manager at Okland.
With things going smooth and steady according to schedule, Barkdull is optimistic that students will witness the structures’ exterior completion by 2027. Then the interior work will start in earnest.
Looking to Christ and Preserving History
One of the key features of building B’s welcome center 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.”
The inclusion of this artwork reflects the university’s emphasis on keeping Jesus Christ at the center of campus life and learning.
Moreover, another exciting feature is the integration of a time capsule, which is currently being built within the welcome center. Once completed, it will be filled with memories and sealed up for 25 years.
Building D
While work on building B progresses, construction on building D has also already begun. The new building will include the new university auditorium. Barkdull explained that it will be larger than the McKay Auditorium, able to seat more people, and will contain better technology that will enhance any performance.
“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,” Barkdull explained. “We’re raising the elevation gradually, adding about a foot per day, until it reaches just below the level of the adjacent slab. After that, we’ll move into concrete work and begin vertical construction.”
This phase of the project is currently expected to be completed in fall 2028.
Exciting Future
Though still in the early stages, these new additions to campus already point to an exciting future for BYU–Hawaii. From innovative learning spaces and enhanced performance venues to meaningful artistic and historical features, the project reflects both growth and vision. As construction continues, these new additions promise to shape campus life for generations to come, equipping students with the tools to achieve their full potential.