VNR: Sensory spaces expand to all 10 UH campuses, supporting campus well-being

University of Hawaiʻi

Contact:

Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/RJJ

***SUGGESTED VOSOT AND TEASER SCRIPT BELOW***

A sensory-friendly initiative that began at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has expanded to all 10 UH campuses, giving students, faculty and staff across the system access to tools designed to reduce stress, improve focus and support overall well-being.

The effort is led by the UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies ' CAMP+U project in partnership with campus offices statewide. Two years ago, CAMP+U collaborated with the Office of Faculty Development and Academic Support to open UH Mānoa's first sensory room, providing a quiet space where members of the campus community can decompress, regulate emotions and recharge from the demands of daily campus life.

Spreading support

Building on that success, CAMP+U has partnered with every UH campus to provide a portable sensory kit that can be used to create sensory rooms, integrated sensory spaces or pop-up experiences.

The portable kits contain more than a dozen sensory tools-including a northern lights and moon projector, sunset and jellyfish lamps, fidget toys, space tent, cosmic cocoon (bean bag chair) and more-that can be easily transported and assembled, offering campuses a low-cost, flexible way to create calming environments wherever they are needed. The kits also contain a resource hub with educational materials.

Each campus has adapted the initiative to meet its local needs, with collaborations involving disability services, student basic needs, counseling, libraries and other student support offices. Many campuses introduced the program through sensory pop-up events during high-stress times such as midterms, finals and campus study sessions.

"College can be overwhelming for anyone, and sometimes students simply need a place where they can pause, reset and return to class feeling ready to learn," said Holly Manaseri, Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director. "Creating spaces that acknowledge those needs sends a powerful message that every student belongs and deserves the opportunity to succeed."

The expansion comes as colleges and universities nationwide increasingly adopt sensory-informed learning environments to support academic success and well-being. Among UH's peer institutions, more than half offer sensory-friendly spaces, while nearly one-quarter have dedicated sensory rooms. Sensory spaces were also offered at every 2026 FIFA World Cup venue, and similar spaces are now found in airports, public libraries and shopping centers to help people take a break from overwhelming sights and sounds.

Feedback shows positive impact

An ongoing research study is evaluating the impact of the UH initiative. According to Manca Sustarsic, the project's evaluator, "Feedback from more than 500 visitors across the university system shows visitors reported feeling calmer, more relaxed and happier after using the sensory spaces. Preliminary findings also indicate significant reductions in stress, anxiety, frustration and feeling overwhelmed, while many students reported improved focus, greater motivation and a stronger sense of belonging on campus."

CAMP+U-supported by UH Foundation and led by Manaseri, Sustarsic and Renz Louis T. Montano-focuses on supporting student success throughout the college experience, with particular attention to students with learning differences and disabilities.

For sensory room contacts at each UH campus, visit the CAMP+U website.

The Center on Disability Studies is housed in UH Mānoa's College of Education.

Visit this link to support the CAMP+U project.

Link to video and sound (details below): https://go.hawaii.edu/RJJ

VIDEO:

BROLL:

0:00-1:32: Video of students, faculty and staff in the sensory room at the Kapiʻolani CC library

SOUNDBITES:

Holly Manaseri, UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director

:17

"When our sensory needs are met, we are able to feel supported and better positioned to thrive. And when sensory needs are unmet, we may struggle to focus, manage stress, or feel comfortable in educational as well as social spaces."

Manca Sustarsic, UH Mānoa PhD candidate and project evaluator

:18

"Besides the World Cup, we've seen the growth of sensory spaces in public libraries, airports, shopping malls, during their quiet hours, so that shoppers can feel less stimulated and actually enjoy the experience."

Aidan Matsuura, Kapiʻolani CC employee and UH West Oʻahu student

:13

"It's hard being a student and an employee, just balancing out with your hours, school and work, so that can lead to a lot of stress. So I think just having this kind of room would help benefit a lot of students who are probably in similar situations as me, just to help them relax and de-stress."

Arriana Simpao, Kapiʻolani CC student majoring in liberal arts with a focus on sustainability

:15

"Finals season. Finals season gets overwhelming, and sometimes you just crave a good dark room. The room also has some music playing in the background and also good stars visuals playing up as well."

POSSIBLE TEASER SOUNDBITE

Aidan Matsuura, Kapiʻolani CC employee and UH West Oʻahu student

:07

"I just really enjoyed my experiences here. It actually helped me a lot and I feel a lot more relaxed now than I was before."

VOSOT SCRIPT:

INTRO:

The University of Hawaiʻi is back in session, and a program that helps students relax and recharge is now available on all 10 UH campuses.

VO:

They're called sensory rooms-quiet, calming spaces with soft lights, fidget toys, bean bag chairs and other items designed to help people take a break and reset.

These spaces were even offered at every 2026 World Cup venue, as well as airports, libraries and shopping centers.

Each UH campus now has a portable sensory kit that can be set up wherever it's needed.

The goal is to help students manage stress and return to class feeling more focused.

SOT:

Holly Manaseri, UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies faculty member and project director

"When our sensory needs are met, we are able to feel supported and better positioned to thrive. And when sensory needs are unmet, we may struggle to focus, manage stress, or feel comfortable in educational as well as social spaces."

Aidan Matsuura, Kapiʻolani CC employee and UH West Oʻahu student

"It's hard being a student and an employee, just balancing out with your hours, school and work, so that can lead to a lot of stress. So I think just having this kind of room would help benefit a lot of students who are probably in similar situations as me, just to help them relax and de-stress."

VO:

Early feedback has been encouraging.

More than 500 students, faculty and staff say they felt calmer, less stressed and better able to concentrate after using the sensory spaces.

TEASER SCRIPT:

SOT:

Aidan Matsuura, Kapiʻolani CC employee and UH West Oʻahu student

"I just really enjoyed my experiences here. It actually helped me a lot and I feel a lot more relaxed now than I was before."

VO:

Coming up... hear how sensory rooms are helping University of Hawaiʻi students reduce stress, recharge and stay focused-and why the program is now expanding to all 10 UH campuses.