The dorms at U.H. Manoa have developed quite a reputation over the years with complaints of a long waiting list, run-down rooms and spotty security. But now the university hopes to improve its image with its new $71 million building.

Frear Hall was originally built in the 1950's as a women's dorm. It was torn down in 2006. Now the school is getting ready to unveil its first new dorm in 30 years.

Talk about living in luxury by college student standards. The building has an outdoor barbecue area with a gas grill. Inside, there is a game room complete with two flat screen televisions. There are study lounges and conference rooms. Each bedroom even has its own air conditioner.

"This one looks much nicer than our facility cause it's a little rundown, like the way the doors open things like that," said UH summer school student Ashley Grove who is living in a different dorm.

Students will use special swipe cards to enter Frear Hall. The key also opens individual dorm rooms. Students can even lock their bedrooms to keep out other roommates. There are private bathrooms instead of the old communal ones.

"Our hope is that the private bathrooms will eliminate in this building at least any of the issues that may have occurred in the past," said Mike Kaptik, director of student housing.

Past incidents include an encounter between a student and a man taking pictures of her in a shower at the Hale Kahawai dorm. School officials have also beefed up security with 16 cameras. They will monitor public areas like an outdoor secured storage space for bikes, mopeds and surfboards.

"The recording will be taking place and it's on a hard drive. No one's actually going to be watching the cameras 24 hours so if there's an incident that goes on or someone notices something we can use it for information," explained Kaptik.

Frear Hall will be home to about 800 upperclassmen. There is a front desk but no one will be checking identification.

"We don't do that in all of our buildings, and because this is a sophomore and above we hadn't planned on doing that," Kaptik said.

The school is charging students more to live in Frear to help pay for all the amenities. Prices range from $5,186 to $8,717. Prices in other dorms range from $3,497 to $5,880.

"I know that it has indoor AC but I also know the rooms are like cubicles, I've heard," said UH summer school student Trey Wagnoner. "But it's also nice that one person kind of gets their own room in this dorm, even with a roommate."

The new dorm is part of more than $132 million in student housing construction projects at U.H. Manoa. A dedication ceremony will be held next Tuesday. Students start moving in Aug. 23.

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