A campus-wide Open House will kick-off the Centennial Celebration.

The event begins at 10 a.m. on the Hawai'i Hall lawn, and continues with activities for all ages at various campus locations until 2 p.m.

The kick-off event, as well as on-campus parking, is free to the public.

Sharing its pride with the community, the University is celebrating its educational achievements with the theme "Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Present and Creating Our Future." Over the next 18 months, there will be public programs focusing on how the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has enhanced the rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.

Food, beverages, and family fun will be offered.

Events include:

— a rehearsal of Kennedy Theatre's Kyogen production

— the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, along with many of UH-Manoa's own musical ensembles

— the University Dance Ensemble, performing in front of Kennedy Theatre

— student organizations will have games and prizes for the keiki

There will also be educational activities representative of a variety of University departments, including informative lectures with topics such as "Birds of Hawai'i and "How to Prepare for a Natural Disaster."

The astronomy and physics departments will provide hands-on activities to be enjoyed by both children and adults.

For additional information on this event or other Centennial programs, please visit http://www.hawaii.edu/centennial or call the Centennial information line at 956-5526.

Some more confirmed events occurring during the Centennial celebration:

January 25

Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series with Craig Venter

"The Ocean genome: A Key to Earth's Habitability"

February 14

Our Campus to Our Community, A UH Day of Volunteering

UH faculty and staff team up to spend a day giving back to the community

February 20

Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series with Richard Dawkins

"Queerer Than We Can Suppose? The Strangeness of Science"

March 13

Centennial Distinguished Lecture Series with Richard Alley

"Get Rich and Save the World: Global Warming, Peak Oil and Our Future"

March 25

Charter Day ceremony