Save money on your next flight
Skyscanner is the world’s leading flight search engine, helping you find the cheapest flights to destinations all over the world.
If you’re looking for information on what athletic conference or division Hawaii Pacific University competes in, you’ve come to the right place. To quickly summarize, Hawaii Pacific University is a Division II school that is part of the Pacific West Conference.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide detailed information on Hawaii Pacific University’s athletic program, including the division, conference, and sports that its teams compete in. We will also provide some background on the school itself. Read on to learn all about HPU athletics.
Hawaii Pacific University Overview
Type of School
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) is a private university with its main campus located in Honolulu, Hawaii. It offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a wide range of subjects including business, education, nursing, social work, and more.
HPU has a total enrollment of around 7,000 students, with international students making up almost 20% of the student population.
Location
HPU’s main campus is situated in downtown Honolulu, giving students access to the vibrant city while still having a traditional campus feel. In addition to the main campus, HPU operates satellite campuses on Oahu and on the neighbor islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai.
This allows students from across the Hawaiian islands to access HPU’s programs. The tropical location provides a unique backdrop for learning and allows easy access to beaches, hiking trails, and other outdoor recreational activities.
Enrollment and Academics
As a mid-sized university, HPU has a total enrollment of around 7,000 students. This includes both undergraduate and graduate students across over 50 academic programs. Popular majors include nursing, business, education, social work, and marine science.
HPU has a student-faculty ratio of 14:1 and over 50% of classes have fewer than 20 students, allowing for personalized attention and support. The university is home to two academic colleges: the College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
HPU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Hawaii Pacific University Athletics & Division
Division
Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) competes at the NCAA Division II level as part of the Pacific West Conference. This division provides an excellent balance of academics and athletics for HPU’s student-athletes.
Conference
The Pacific West Conference consists of nine universities located in California, Hawaii, and Utah. As members of this conference, HPU teams compete for regular season and tournament championships that provide pathways for postseason play.
Sports Teams
HPU sponsors eight men’s and nine women’s varsity athletic teams. The men’s teams are baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field. The women’s teams are basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor track & field, outdoor track & field, and volleyball.
Some key highlights about HPU athletics:
- The HPU Sharks nickname reflects the university’s oceanside location in Honolulu.
- In recent years, HPU tennis and golf have been national contenders with multiple NCAA championship appearances.
- The on-campus Hawaii Loa campus stadium hosts HPU soccer and track & field competitions.
- HPU men’s volleyball competed at the NCAA Division I level until 2020 when the program was discontinued.
Success of HPU Athletics
Hawaii Pacific University’s athletic programs have seen great success over the years. With 13 NAIA national championships and over 200 All-American honors, HPU athletics have made their mark at the highest levels of college sports.
HPU’s most successful athletic program is women’s volleyball. The Sea Warriors have won an incredible 8 NAIA national championships since 2000, establishing themselves as a true volleyball powerhouse. Led by legendary head coach Mike Wilton, HPU volleyball has produced dozens of All-Americans and gone on dominant runs year after year.
Their sustained excellence is unmatched in small college volleyball.
Beyond volleyball, HPU has celebrated national titles in men’s and women’s tennis, showing their strength across multiple sports. Athletes from countries all over the world have propelled these tennis teams to the pinnacle of NAIA tennis.
In recent years, HPU athletics have continued their winning ways. The men’s tennis team won back-to-back NAIA championships in 2021 and 2022, displaying exceptional talent and determination. Women’s volleyball also reached the semifinals in 2021, showing their staying power.
And HPU basketball and baseball have become increasingly competitive as well.
With first-class coaches, world-class facilities like the Lois T. Simonson Field House, and an administration that prioritizes athletic success, HPU sports have all the ingredients to keep flourishing.
If the past is any indication, Sea Warrior fans can look forward to many more thrilling championships and star performances in the years ahead.
Conclusion
In summary, Hawaii Pacific University is a private university located in Honolulu, Hawaii with around 4,000 students. Its athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division II level in the Pacific West Conference.
The most successful HPU teams include women’s volleyball, women’s soccer, baseball, softball, and men’s basketball. We hope this guide has helped answer what division Hawaii Pacific University is in and provided useful information on its athletics program.
