Best Community Colleges in Hawaii

More than 10 million people visited Hawaii in 2019. And many more traveled to the Aloha State in order to attend college. The University of Hawaii Community Colleges includes seven campuses and other educational centers across the state’s islands. Hawaii is also home to some of the country’s top online schools.

Like community colleges in most states, two-year institutions in Hawaii are generally less expensive to attend than four-year universities. Hawaii participates in programs and partnerships like the State Authorization and Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) to offer students discounted tuition online and in person. The Hawaii Promise Program provides over $2.5 million in free tuition to learners each year.

The relative affordability of Hawaii’s community colleges and the state’s unique cultural and geographical offerings make it a great place to study.

The state’s main community colleges belong to a branch of the University of Hawaii system. Hawaii is home to more than half a dozen community colleges across the islands, all of them providing distance and in-person learning. The college system prides itself on producing well-trained job candidates ready to enter the workforce and boost the local economy. While Hawaii is an island state, it retains many educational partnerships with organizations and institutions on the mainland and in the South Pacific.

Hawaii’s economy largely depends on tourism, which is why the COVID-19 pandemic hit the state so hard. A large portion of the state’s workforce is in tourism, including retail staff, hotel managers, and tour guides. Hawaii ranks as the top unionized state in the U.S. with one in four workers belonging to a union. Many of these workers are in trades, such as constructor and dock workers.

Hawaii has a high cost of living. The state’s cost of living index is 185, almost twice the national average of 100. Housing costs in Hawaii are roughly three times the national average. The state’s natural beauty attracts many visitors and retirees, which has driven up living costs. Furthermore, as an island, the state must import many resources, including food, making day-to-day expenses more costly.

Hawaii has a deep history and diverse culture. Visitors to the Aloha State can take advantage of Hawaii’s outdoor attractions like snorkeling, hiking, fishing, and surfing. Students, residents, and tourists alike can visit the islands’ volcanoes. There are also opportunities to learn about native Hawaiin rituals and culture. The state is also home to museums, theaters, and other arts attractions.

Hawaii has a tropical climate and only two “real” seasons: summer and winter. Summer lasts from May to October, and winter lasts from November to April. The average temperature during the summer is 85 degrees during the day and 78 at night. The islands are home to diverse micro-environments, including rainforests, alpine regions, and beaches. Most rainfall occurs in the mountains and on the northeastern side of the islands. Breezy, sunny conditions are most common.

Many industries in Hawaii are growing quickly. Government, accommodations and food services, healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and construction rank as the top in-demand industries. Students can study at one of Hawaii’s seven community colleges to access these growing fields.

While the cost of living in Hawaii is high compared to most other states, wages in the state reflect the higher-than-average expenses of living in the island state.

Hawaii has the second most concentrated food preparation and service industry in the U.S. Full-service restaurants are the largest employers in the job sector. Restaurant workers may include servers, bartenders, cooks, and hosts. An associate degree in a travel- or tourism-related field can enable a worker to start a career in this industry.

The demand for healthcare workers has skyrocketed nationwide with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hawaii is no exception. Hawaii is in need of home health aides and assisted living staff. These workers help feed, bathe, and give medication to patients, and make sure they get to necessary medical appointments.

Hawaii is always in need of retail workers given the state’s booming tourism industry. Retail sales workers help customers find products and pay for their items. Jobs include cashier, salesperson, and stocker. Retail workers with associate degrees may be able to work their way up to management roles.

While Hawaii has miles of natural beauty, landscaping is necessary around resorts, hotels, and neighborhoods. Landscapers often mow lawns and trim trees, as well as perform other gardening tasks. Professionals with associate degrees from Hawaii’s community colleges may be able to advance to positions like landscaping supervisor, which can pay as much as $20,000 more.

Construction workers may be employed by large companies or work as contractors. These professionals can work on private, small-scale projects, such as home renovations. They may also work for the state or city government on public infrastructure projects, such as building roads, bridges, and public buildings.

Feature Image: Photography by Jesse Warren / Moment / Getty Images