UH-Manoa fall commencement Saturday at 8:30 a.m.

University of Hawaii officials advise motorists that traffic could be congested on the H-1 Freeway near the university off-ramps before the UH Manoa fall 2011 graduation ceremony Saturday morning.

The ceremony begins at 8:30 a.m. with a student procession in the Stan Sheriff Center. The program begins at 9 a.m.

More than 1,200 students are eligible to receive degrees and certificates — about 750 bachelor degres and more than 450 masters, doctorates and post-baccalaureate certificates in secondary education.

University officials say graduates, families, friends, faculty and staff who plan to attend the graduation should arrive early to avoid traffic delays and guarantee seating.

Traffic could also back up on side streets leading to campus.

Doors to the Stan Sheriff Center will open at 7:45 a.m. The ceremony is free and open to the public. No tickets are issued, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Balloons and strollers are not allowed inside the arena.

Free parking will be available in the parking structure, which will open at 6 a.m.  Parking shuttle service will be provided. The shuttle buses are wheelchair-accessible and run a continuous route from the Biomedical Science Building to Krauss Circle.

UH Manoa alumnus Henk Rogers, philanthropist and video game entrepreneur, will be the commencement speaker.

Friends and family members may greet graduates following the ceremony on the football practice field (surnames A-L) and the soccer practice field (M-Z). Authorized lei vendors will be located in the areas.

The ceremony will also be broadcast on the Internet. For information about the webcast and additional details about graduation, visit http://manoa.hawaii.edu/commencement.