HONOLULU — “Pomp and Circumstance” was played to a smaller than usual crowd at UH Manoa SimpliFi Arena at Stan Sheriff Center Friday afternoon as the campus celebrated its fall graduates with a hybrid ceremony for the second time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Approximately 650 graduates were expected to participate in the commencement ceremony. Graduates are allowed four guests each for the in-person diploma presentation and photo session. The ceremonies are split over two days, the first held Friday, Dec. 17 and the second, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. To prevent crowding, each school and college was allotted a time slot over the two days. 

Other COVID-19 safety protocols included the wearing of facemasks when indoors and a required clearance by the LumiSight UH app.

In probably another nod to the current pandemic, the virtual commencement address keynote speaker is Hawaii Department of Health Director Dr. Libby Char.

The virtual student address was delivered by Abby Kuba, a student from Cambodia. It is the first address by a student from the UH Manoa Shidler College of Business Vietnam Executive MBA program.

More information on the commencement ceremony can be found at the UH Manoa Commencement website.