We have a new display in the lobby of Lama Library starting this Spring 2025! It explores illustrations by artist and Kapiʻolani CC graduate, Mari Sakamoto, that showcase the Native Hawaiian plants and trees that each building on campus is named after.
In the early 1980s, instead of choosing names based on function or people, Kapiʻolani Community College decided to name buildings after native plants with a particular use or significance in Hawaiian culture. All of the plants and trees chosen are either endemic (native only to Hawaiʻi) or indigenous (native in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere). This was done for several reasons:
- to complement & not compete with the natural beauty of the campus & its Hawaiian identity;
- to educate faculty, students & visitors about Hawaiian flora; &
- to protect the remaining Hawaiian forest plants through this education.
In addition, the names were generally chosen to reflect in some way the function of the building they represent, & many of the plants are found throughout campus!
Learn more about these crucial Hawaiian plants and explore the beautiful illustrations by visiting the Lama Library lobby!
