Kakaʻako Campus

Where Innovation Meets Aloha

Located in Kaʻākaukukui, contemporarily known as Kakaʻako, the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine sits right in front of Kakaʻako Waterfront Park. The JABSOM campus houses the Medical Education Building (MEB) and the Biomedical Sciences Building (BSB). The 9.9-acre complex is the first to incorporate energy efficiency and innovations in both its laboratories and offices by adopting the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System.

jabsom campus

At JABSOM, we believe in fostering a balanced lifestyle that nourishes both the mind and the body. Visit our on-campus dining destination, Cafe Waiola, where Sushi King and Pur Sina serve fresh meals daily.

Additional research facilities include the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center and the UH Clinics at Kakaʻako within the campus; part of the 677 Ala Moana Building (Gold Bond Building) in Kakaʻako; The Institute for Biogenesis Research and the Pacific Biosciences Research Center on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus; and affiliated hospitals and clinics throughout the state of Hawaiʻi.

The Māla Lāʻau Lapaʻau

jabsom campus birds eye view

The Māla Lāʻau Lapaʻau is nestled in our campus, serving as the piko (center point) of the school. Completed in 2014, the māla was created by the kahu (stewards) in JABSOM’s Department of Native Hawaiian Health as a Native Hawaiian place of learning. The Māla Lāʻau Lapaʻau is home to 35 indigenous and endemic plants that were used in Native Hawaiian medicine and cultural practices. The māla is often used as an outdoor classroom to learn about the indigenous plants and their purpose, as well as a meditative and relaxing space open to all.

Coffee, Food, and Fun Nearby

Our location in Honolulu offers the perfect blend of academic excellence and access to the vibrant city life and natural beauty that Hawaiʻi is renowned for.

As part of the bustling Kakaʻako area, JABSOM is a stone’s throw away from SALT at Our Kakaʻako. SALT boasts a variety of local retail businesses, restaurants, and coffee shops - making it a great spot for a quick coffee or lunch break. Our campus is also in close proximity to other great places to eat and shop, such as Ward Village, Aloha Tower Marketplace, and Ala Moana Shopping Center.

JABSOM is also within walking distance to Ala Moana Beach Park, one of Oʻahu’s most popular beaches. Our campus is also adjacent to Kakaʻako Waterfront Park, a great place for picnics and walking breaks.

How to Get Here with Public Transportation

If you’re looking to use public transportation to get to JABSOM, you have several options:

  • BIKI
    BIKI is Honolulu’s bike sharing system with over 130 stations throughout urban Honolulu. There are two BIKI stations located near JABSOM’s campus. Learn more about BIKI here: gobiki.org
  • TheBus
    TheBus is a convenient and economic way to get around Honolulu. Passengers can pay for the bus fare using either cash or a Holo card. Routes 60, 65, 67, 42, and 20 stop at Ala Moana Bl + Coral St (Stop #952 coming from the west, Stop #893 coming from the east).
    To learn more about TheBus, visit their website: https://www.thebus.org/