In 1972, Hawaiʻi Pacific College graduated seven students in its first commencement class and in the same year established a School of Business Administration.

In 2004, the HPU International Vocal Ensemble made their Carnegie Hall debut where they performed Morten Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and O Magnum Mysterium.

The approvals passed by ATDC were essential to Hawaiʻi Pacific's plan to move forward in redeveloping the marketplace into a mixed-use property featuring outstanding student housing, retail and dining businesses, and community gathering spaces.

In June 2014, HPU held a ceremonial groundbreaking and traditional Hawaiian blessing at Aloha Tower Marketplace, marking the official start of revitalizing this iconic waterfront destination.

The $50 million Aloha Tower Marketplace revitalization project was completed in August 2015, opening to students and the community.

HPU's athletic department is centrally located in Honolulu's business district, and it is a few blocks' walk to the state capitol.

HPU's College of Business, which is headquartered in Pioneer Plaza, includes computer based classrooms along with meeting spaces.

In 2016, HPU opened its downtown INBRE (IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) research labs, providing students with biomedical instrumentation and laboratory facilities.Hawaii Loa Campus In summer 2024, HPU closed the Hawaii Loa campus, commonly referred to as HLC.

[6][7] The Oceanic Institute (OI) of HPU is a research facility focused on the advancement of sustainable aquaculture technologies.

OI conducts research, education, and training that focuses on marine aquaculture, aquatic feeds and nutrition, and coastal resource management.

The OLC annex supports biotechnology research and education with two research labs, a teaching lab, and a distance learning center HPU's Military Campus Programs (MCP) operates full-service campuses on Oʻahu's US military bases, including Pearl Harbor, Hickam Air Force Base, Tripler Army Medical Center, Camp H. M. Smith, Schofield Barracks, and Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

They compete in the Pacific West Conference as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division II.