Sept. 18, 2026

Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha, alongside community leaders and partners, marked the completion of renovations at Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea with a blessing Tuesday. Held at the former Varsity Center at the intersection of University Avenue and South Beretania Street, the gathering paid homage to the rich history and cultural significance of Kapaʻakea.

“The moment allowed us to pause, reflect and honor the significance of this ʻāina, as well as the collective effort to renew this space in a way that reflects ʻike Hawaiʻi,” said Calvin Mann, director of planning and development at Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha. “As Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea opens, we aim to create a place that respects its history while offering opportunities for the community to gather, connect and engage in meaningful ways.”

Waiānuenue, a community-centered retail campus by Kamehameha, was blessed in a ceremony that brought together community members and neighbors. Representatives from Waiānuenue businesses, including Morning Brew, Oakberry, which opens Sept. 26, and Local Boy Sushi, were among those in attendance. Through oli and pule, the blessing grounded the space in respect, stewardship, and shared responsibility moving forward.

Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea reflects Kamehameha’s vision of a vibrant, welcoming place where people can come together by bridging culture, commerce and everyday life. Its name references the rainbows of Mānoa and symbolizes connection among people, experiences and perspectives.

“We know that learning happens not only on campuses, but when people have opportunities to connect with one another,” Kamehameha Schools Trustee Noelani Goodyear-Ka‘ōpua said at the event. “Community ties grow when people learn together about the names, meanings, moʻolelo, and the intergenerational depth of the places where they live and work.”

Throughout the property, new artwork from artists Koloikeao Anthony KSK’19, Solomon Enos, and Colleen “TUTUVI” Kimura draw from the moʻolelo that honor the rich wai and landscapes of the area, offering a visual connection to the history and evolving identity of Kapaʻakea. Waiānuenue also features an innovative, virtual experience where visitors can see the land as it was reflected in history.

“When you visit Waiānuenue ma Kapaʻakea, you’ll see artwork and design elements inspired by the stories of this place,” Mann said. “These pieces honor our connection to ʻāina and the diverse cultural histories that make Mōʻiliʻili special.”

Improvements to the site began in 2024 as part of the first phase of the Kapaʻakea Project, designed to modernize the area into a diverse, dynamic, walkable town center that offers creative, educational, and authentic cultural experiences for the Mōʻiliʻili community. Waiānuenue features 20,000 square feet of commercial space.

To see a list of businesses coming to Waiānuenue and to explore artwork throughout the property, visit shopwaianuenue.com.