Table For None: The Reality of Dining on Campus

The shuttered off section of Leeeward's cafeteria, the Uluwehi Cafe. (Photo by Kaiehu Helelā)

A dining table can’t be called a dining table until there’s food on it. Sometimes, the food is a tray of cheese and crackers, but at least the table will be serving its purpose. At best, there is a beverage involved.

While a 2023 report by the Hawai‘i Food Bank states that one in three households are food insecure in Hawai‘i, it is also confirmed that 44% of those food insecure were enrolled in a trade school, college, or university. Food should be a regular occurrence in our daily lives and be appreciated for its impact on society. On campus, however, Leeward Community College’s lack of food options leaves students with empty dining tables and emptier stomachs.

One of the greatest things to look forward to stepping on any college campus is finding the dining hall. It is a huge relief to learn that there is a convenient and appetizing escape away from your classes. At Leeward, the Uluwehi Cafe was once the main food hub, as it gave students and faculty a safe space away from the classrooms to mingle over lunch. It was a vibrant and busy place, as one could imagine, a noisy cafeteria of soulful conversation that is now drowned out by faint whirrs of the outside world, something only proven in its withered state. One student of Leeward in particular shared his way of adapting to the limited food options on campus.

“I basically use the rail going to campus, so it’s a lot better to buy something from the gas station or prep water or food before heading to campus because the cost for drinks and snacks in the vending machines are overpriced. Especially the coffee,” says Braxton Almogela.

He also points out another limiting factor of the campus food options and says that,

“[...] places like Subway and Sama Sama close around three, so if you’re on campus after that there are only vending machines that are accessible.”

When it comes to improvements, Almogela suggests, “[...] something like a bento option that they offer at the UH [the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa] campus would make things a lot more easier.”

But with the current state that the food scene on campus is in, there would be better luck getting your bentos elsewhere.

In June 2023, Da Spot had left Leeward, which was the major pivot towards the decline of food options on campus. The age-old habits of hustling college students never die because keeping the cafe alive is Subway. Although they run for limited hours on certain days of the week, it’s a fast and familiar service that has secured the life-long loyalty of college students. Another food option on campus is Sama Sama, which operates in the library, offering Filipino-inspired drinks as well as ambiance.

The cafe is also a space for culinary students to get hands-on experience in food service and use their skills to provide for students. At certain points during the semester, the Ala ‘Ike Grill, which is run by the culinary students, would operate their business in the cafeteria. This was a refreshing addition to the campus, as it gives students freshly prepared meals at friendly prices. However, their limited supply and hours do not fulfill this need for a reliable and consistent food service.

Operating a college-based restaurant is more easier said than done. When it comes to Leeward’s campus, there are a host of challenges that come with inviting food vendors to run their businesses and feed students. For instance, the cafe is as old as the walls tell it, and there is this major issue with the kitchen being beyond unusable standing in the way of a renovation.

“The kitchen needs renovation. It is in poor shape. And in addition, the ducts within the kitchens have to be replaced because it’s kind of a safety issue,” says Kelli Brandvold, the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services.

Being responsible for operations and maintenance around campus, she oversees the different facilities that keep the campus running and is very aware of the challenges posed by some of the aging infrastructure. In addressing the kitchen’s renovations, she further explains, it will require funding of about 2.5 million dollars, which is beyond feasibility.

The Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i (pg. 41), are your student advocates and representatives. To meet these food option needs, they work to find eligible, and available food trucks to come to both the Pearl City and Wai‘ane Moku campuses. We now have four days a week covered with Happy Belly, Olay’s Thai Food, HI Cravings, and Wrap ‘N Roll food trucks to serve students on campus. Be on the lookout for them, Monday through Thursday to try something new.

“And in addition, the ducts within the kitchens have to be replaced because it’s kind of a safety issue."

With only so many microwavable foods to go around from vending machines, administrative services do not prize this as the only solution. Brandvold had mentioned the plans for a possible revival of the food scene for the Spring semester. In the hopes of substantial meals, food trucks are coming onto campus as a solution for hungry students and staff. But, the process of allowing food vendors to operate on campus poses some challenges.

“In my negotiations with these food truck vendors, they’ve also asked, ‘Is anybody else going to be on campus?’,” Brandvold says. She mentions that Leeward has a total enrollment of about 5,000 to 6,000 students, “but I would say a good portion of that number is online.”

This presents another contribution to the issue, which is this shift towards online learning. With fewer students present on campus, vendors might shy away from committing to operating here. “The students either come to school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. And then there’s hardly any classes on Friday,” Brandvold says.

The inconsistent demand imposes a challenge that is too difficult to work around, and their presence on a quiet campus would make the least financial sense. “If I could encourage folks, it’s to support our vendors whenever they can. It will help us to retain them,” she says.

Food options aren’t only being thought of for the Leeward Pearl City Campus— efforts have also been made for the Wai‘anae Moku Campus. The Wrap & Roll food truck is serving the Wai‘anae Moku Campus beginning on February 11th to offer more convenient options on campus. Students need reliable food sources, and while there is no guarantee of a long-term solution, what is already being offered right now is a nudge toward a perfect solution.

“If I could encourage folks, it’s to support our vendors whenever they can. It will help us to retain them."

With the cafe not being in full operation, they still do not fail at giving everyone as much access to food as they can. Food trucks on campus provide easy and variable options to dine, but there is still the challenge of maintaining a consistent customer traction. There are still many options that are being pursued beyond what is already being offered, and the success of these faculty initiatives mainly depends on how much the rest of the campus body would like to support the available food options.