Reconnecting with Hawaiian Culture

Hawai‘iloa, distant Hawai‘i, is a sacred name that connects us to our voyaging history, the knowledge, tenacity, and importance of our familial connections from antiquity. It is applicable to the aspirations of this cohort, or group—to pull in kamaʻāina who have voyaged near and far from home and bind them back into the fabric of our people, culture and history through this educational endeavor.

Hawai‘iloa, a fully online Hawaiian Studies program, will take you on a journey together as a cohort, and through the breadth of connections, give you multiple ways of understanding and connecting.

Program Description

Hawai‘iloa is an immersive, accelerated experience in ‘ike (knowledge) and ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language) leading to the Associate in Arts in Hawaiian Studies degree.

  • Fully online AA degree
  • 8-week online cohort; two classes taken at a time (four per semester) for two years
  • Three cohort pathways: those with no previous coursework, already have a degree, or noncredit (non-degree-seeking)
  • Transferable to a bachelor’s degree
  • Limited seats available; accepting for Fall 2022

Attend an Information Session

Join us for an information session to discover more about the Hawai‘iloa program and get your questions answered about:

  • Course sequencing and mode of instruction
  • Program length and approximate cost
  • Windward Community College application process
  • Online learning technology and student support services

fri01jul5:00 pm6:00 pmFeaturedVirtual EventHawaiʻiloa Information Session5:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-10:00) View in my timeEvent Type :Hawaiiloa

fri08jul1:00 pm2:00 pmFeaturedVirtual EventHawaiʻiloa Information Session1:00 pm - 2:00 pm(GMT-10:00) View in my timeEvent Type :Hawaiiloa

wed13jul4:00 pm5:00 pmFeaturedVirtual EventHawaiʻiloa Information Session4:00 pm - 5:00 pm(GMT-10:00) View in my timeEvent Type :Hawaiiloa

fri15jul1:00 pm2:00 pmFeaturedVirtual EventHawaiʻiloa Information Session1:00 pm - 2:00 pm(GMT-10:00) View in my timeEvent Type :Hawaiiloa

Attend an information session by filling out the Hawaiʻiloa Information Session form. If you cannot make any of the offered meeting times please email the Hawaiʻiloa Counselor Māhiehie at brgarret@hawaii.edu to set-up a one on one appointment.

Program Costs

Native Hawaiians living in the continental U.S. and Hawai‘i residents both pay the same community college in-state resident tuition. Total cost for the Hawai‘iloa Hawaiian Studies AA degree is approximately $8,200 (resident and/or Native Hawaiian tuition).

FeeResident and/or Native Hawaiian *Non-Resident
Tuition$131 per credit$345 per credit
Publication Fee$1 per credit ($10 max)$1 per credit ($10 max)

*Non-residents may be allowed to pay resident tuition if they qualify for one of the UH Board of Regents tuition exemptions, which includes Native Hawaiians living on the continent with proof of ethnicity.

Tuition Assistance

Windward O‘ahu high school graduating seniors: FREE TUITION & JOBS! Get the first year of tuition paid (up to $3,144) through the Ho‘olei Tuition Award when enrolling in classes at Windward Community College this Fall 2022. On- and off-campus employment is also available for students.

Furloughed or unemployed: Apply for the $500 Kūlia Scholarship.

Native Hawaiian students living on the mainland may be eligible for in-state tuition.

Applicants may be eligible for financial aid via completion of a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Visit fafsa.ed.gov to begin the process. Contact WCC’s financial aid office by phone 808-235-7449 or email wccfao@hawaii.edu. Other financial aid opportunities may become available during the program and will be disseminated as they are announced. 

Please note: professional education related to your work may be eligible for a tax deduction –please check with your tax preparer.

Path of the Hawai‘iloa Voyage

Each semester is mapped out for you. The following is a sampling of the 8-week classes cohort.