University of Hawai'i officials are warning motorists there could be a traffic backup on the H-1 Freeway Saturday morning in both directions near the University off-ramps.

Backups occurred in the past when commencement ceremonies were held on Sundays and freeway traffic may be even heavier on Saturdays.

Graduates, families, friends, and UH faculty and staff who plan to attend this year's ceremonies are urged to be aware of possible congestion, approach the campus with caution, and arrive early to avoid delays.

Nearly 1,800 students are eligible to receive degrees and certificates to conclude the fall academic term. Just over 1,100 students will receive bachelor's degrees, and more than 600 will receive master's and doctorate degrees, and post-baccalaureate certificates in secondary education.

Doors to the Stan Sheriff Center will open at 8 a.m. The event 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 Stan Sheriff Center.

Free parking will be available in the lower campus parking structure, which will open at 6 a.m. Friends and family members may greet graduates following the ceremony on the football practice field (surnames A-L), the soccer practice field (M-T) and at the softball stadium (U-Z). Attendees should note that the exit from lower campus onto Wai'alae Avenue will be closed for an hour following the ceremony.

There will be a live webcast of the commencement exercises. For information on the webcast and further details of the event, visit manoa.hawaii.edu/commencement.