Hawaii Language Schools

Enrolling at a language school has two major perks: a slightly less rigorous course load and the ability to teach you exactly what those kids in Hilo are calling you under their breath. There can be great variety in language schools—independently run, affiliated with a larger university, local, international—but one thing is constant: they rarely offer college credit. Their programs are also good for younger high-school students who might not feel comfortable with older students in a university program. Due to the diverse nature of the islands, many excellent English language programs exist for Hawaii’s residents and visitors. If you’re looking for unique experience, try a Hawaiian language class. Some worthwhile organizations include:

Academia Language School, 1600 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1215, Honolulu 96814 (☎808-946-5599; www.academiaschool.com). Offers English and TOEFL, TOEIC, and CLEP classes starting every week and ongoing classes in French, Japanese, and Spanish.
Culture Nature Communication, Universal English Academy, 75-167 Kalani St., Kailua-Kona 96740 (☎808-936-2179). The program offers homestay accommodations, a motivational English class, and some of the best activities and locations available on Hawaii’s Big Island. This is a unique, small-town, from-the-heart program focused on creating deep enjoyment for language learning and communication.
Hawaii English Language Program (HELP), 1395 Lower Campus Rd. MC 13-1, Honolulu 96822 (☎808-956-6636; www.hawaii.edu/eslhelp). Offers 4- or 8-week programs in English on the UH Manoa campus and full-time TOEFL and TOEIC prep classes.
Institute of Intensive English, 2155 Kalakaua Ave., Ste. 700, Honolulu 96815 (☎808-924-2117; www.studyenglishhawaii.com/index.html). Offers both intensive and short-term English programs, TOEFL and TOEIC prep courses, and other specifically geared programs like “Business English” or “Travel English.”
Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, 200 W. Kawili St., Hilo 96720 (☎808-974-7339; http://www.olelo.hawaii.edu/khuok). The Hale Kuamo‘o is the Hawaiian Language Center within Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikolani, College of Hawaiian Language of the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Established by the Hawaii State Legislature in 1989, the center supports and encourages the expansion of the Hawaiian language as a medium of communication in education, business, government, and other contexts of social life in the public and private sectors of Hawaii and beyond.