Brand new MicroFridges, combination microwave/refrigerators, are now included in all of the rooms and/or suite areas at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa residence halls except for the Hale Wainani Apartments. More than 1,400 of the energy efficient appliances will be installed by the start of the fall 2024 semester by Student Housing Services (SHS) and Campus Operations and Facilities.
The MicroFridges will make campus life easier and more affordable for student residents as they no longer have to purchase and transport their own refrigerators and microwaves when they move in and out.
“This is an example of how we have been improving the student housing experience at UH Mānoa,” said SHS Director David Akana. “By making these 2-in-1 appliances part of the standard included amenities, we are giving our student residents one less thing to spend their money on and worry about.”
Good for the planet
The initiative is also expected to cut down on the amount of electronic waste generated at the end of each academic year as many students would throw away their refrigerators and microwaves when they move out.
“After seeing how many of these appliances were disposed of every year, we knew the issue had to be addressed,” said Akana. “Installing these MicroFridges that will stay in the residence halls for students to use year after year will definitely reduce the amount of waste, making our facilities more sustainable.”
The MicroFridges (44 inches high, 18.7 inches wide and 19.7 inches deep) will also include two USB ports and an outlet for charging and powering devices.
Personal microwaves and refrigerators have now been added to the list of prohibited items in residence halls starting in the 2024–25 academic year, except for Hale Wainani Apartment residents. They will still be allowed to bring one microwave per apartment, which already comes with a full-size refrigerator. Student residents are asked to email uhmsh@hawaii.edu if they have any questions or concerns.
Wave of improvements
UH Mānoa student housing facilities have seen a wave of improvements, with more on the way, since SHS was organizationally placed under the Office of the Vice President for Administration in May 2023.
A project to renovate the common areas of the four, 13-story Hale Aloha Towers is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the fall 2024 semester. The project includes the lobbies, mid-floor common areas and top floor kitchens and common areas that will feature new furniture and appliances, polished concrete flooring, ceiling fans, additional power outlets, whiteboards, foosball tables and more. The project design was based on feedback from student residents.
Earlier in the year, a new Starbucks opened inside Gateway Café and new water filling stations were installed in each of SHS 11 communities, featuring refrigerated, filtered bottle fillers and drinking fountains.
Improvements made in 2023 include new mattresses; improved WiFi; repairs to hundreds of windows, bed frames and air conditioning units and more, along with the introduction of a new seamless Move-In-Day system.
