10 Best Trade Schools inHawaii

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Why choose trade schools instead of the traditional four-year college education?

Well, first of all, because college is not the only path to success.

There are many amazing courses available that can get you licensed and certified.

Moreover, many of the trades are very lucrative nowadays, due to the lack of educated professionals and lack of specialized training.

Luckily, Hawaii has some amazing educational schools ready to take on motivated prospective students.



State FlagTrade Schools by City


1Hawaii Real Estate and Loan Officer School

Hawaii Real Estate and Loan Officer School is one of the most beloved trade school in all of Hawaii.

What sets them apart is their unique, customer-oriented approach to education.

They truly want to help students achieve their goals and find suitable job opportunities.

The most amazing thing about this school is its Pass or Pay Nothing Guarantee.

That means that, unless students pass their real estate license exam, they won’t have to pay anything.

This school is also the only school in Hawaii to offer the Pass or Pay Nothing Guarantee.

Students are in love with their staff, as they’re all very kind, understanding, and experienced.

If you want to get a real estate license, make sure not to miss out on this one.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
  • Applicants must be legal US citizens

Fees: The tuition fee is $550, and it includes the registration fee and books. Applicants should know that there will be a non-refundable $50 fee for all cancellations.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Real Estate license course

Contact information:


2Macana Academy

Macana Academy is an outstanding vocational education institution.

All their instructors have been carefully selected based on their excellence, experience, communication skills, and willingness to adapt to students’ needs.

They invite students from all backgrounds to join their academy because there’s no beauty without diversity.

Students will get an amazing opportunity to learn about the beauty industry only from the best and most qualified teachers.

Macana Academy was founded by ambitious Malia Sanchez, who’s worked in this field for more than a decade.

Enrollment: All applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • All applicants must be at least 16 years of age
  • All applicants must bring a valid state-issued ID
  • Applicants must bring their Social Security card
  • Applicants must have a high school diploma equivalent
  • A complete application form
  • $100 non-refundable application fee
  • A one-page essay about yourself and why you chose esthetics

Fees: The tuition fee for their courses is around $9,419. The prices may slightly vary, depending on the chosen payment plan. There is also a non-refundable $100 application fee.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Core Esthetics Program
  • Progressive Programs
  • Masters Makeup Course
  • Modern Microdermabrasion
  • Chemical Peel Class
  • Hands-on Massage Techniques for Estheticians
  • Brazilian Waxing
  • Body Waxing

Contact information:


3Pacific Center for Awareness & Bodywork

Pacific Center for Awareness & Bodywork is focused on a combination of education and personal growth.

It has one of the most unique curriculums you’ll ever see because not only does it include traditional massage therapy techniques, but it also focuses on spiritual growth.

This is a very new-age approach to classic massage therapy, which is why many find it very appealing.

All their staff has extensive medical backgrounds, and their approach is very customer-oriented.

Some of their employees even hold Ph.D. diplomas and M.A. in impressive fields such as neuroscience.

If you aren’t afraid to experiment and try a different approach to education, then this might be the perfect fit for you.

Enrollment: The only requirements are that all applicants must be at least 18 years of age and that they have to show proof of education – a high school diploma or GED

Fees: The tuition fee for all the courses is $10,000, and it includes the following:

  • Tax – $440.00
  • Books – Approx. $60.00
  • Healthcare Provider CPR/First Aid Fee – $125.00

The school offers the following courses:

  • Somatic bodywork program
  • Massage therapy
  • Somatic psychology

Contact information:


4Lani Lea Aviation School

Knowing how to operate an aircraft could be very lucrative in a place such as Hawaii.

Since Hawaii is a tourist-driven destination with an amazing landscape, so it’s very appealing to visitors to observe it from a bird’s perspective.

If that’s something that you find interesting, then this might be an amazing opportunity.

Lani Lea Aviation School is very reputable with an abundance of positive reviews from students.

Their instructors are very experienced, and they take extreme care about customer safety.

This school regularly does check-ups and maintenance on their aircraft, so there’s no need to worry about the equipment breaking down.

Enrollment: All applicants must have a medical certificate, and they have to be a legal US citizen. They should bring their ID, passport, or driver’s license for verification purposes.

Fees: The prices may vary according to your schedule, chosen instructors, and aircraft option. Contact them via the phone number below for further information.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Training for the Private Pilot’s License

Contact information:


5Hawaii Medical Training Center

Hawaii Medical Training Center has been actively training and producing phlebotomy and medical assistant professionals for a while now.

They are one of the best-ranked school in Hawaii and among the top 20 in the whole country.

This school takes pride in caring about their students.

A lot of standout scholars will gain employment straight upon completion of one of their courses.

Some of the places where their students work include Clinical Labs of Hawaii, Diagnostic Labs, Blood Bank of Hawaii, Bio-metric screening companies, and dialysis companies.

Their program is very fast and accessible, making it perfect for everyone who’s on a tight schedule but wants to develop their skills further.

Enrollment: All applicants must be at least 17 years of age. Places come on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you’d like to secure a spot, pay the tuition fee before the class is full.

Fees: The total program cost is $1,570. The registration fee of $500 is included in the tuition fee and is non-refundable. They also offer different payment plans.

The school offers the following courses:

  • Certified Phlebotomy Technician Training
  • Certified Clinical Medical Assistant

Contact information:

  • Hawaii Medical Training Center
  • Address: 1425 Dillingham Blvd, Suite 205-B, ​Honolulu, HI 96817
  • Phone: 808-223-6013
  • Website: https://www.gohmtc.com/

6Hokulani Massage Academy

Hokulani Massage Academy is a school that wants to teach students healthy living and wellness.

Being healthy is not just a simple choice; it’s a lifestyle.

The classes are very easy-to-understand, and their instructors are very involved, caring, understanding, and experienced.

Massage therapy can be a lucrative business, especially in tourist-packed places such as Hawaii with an endless amount of resorts and tired visitors looking to relax.

Moreover, their program has been approved by the State of Hawaii.

The program is very fast-paced and suited even for individuals that don’t have any experience in the massage therapy field.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. Everyone’s welcome to apply.

Fees: The fees for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Level 1 – $1,995 plus tax
  • Level 2 – $1,200 plus tax

The school offers the following courses:

  • Level 1 – Therapeutic massage techniques that focus on identifying and manipulating individual muscles using a variety of techniques
  • Level 2 – The apprenticeship program. In this program, students will obtain the skills necessary to become a professional therapist. Students will also learn advanced training techniques fine-tune skills, add new approaches to specific conditions, and offer different modalities of massage.

Contact information:


7Maui Flight Academy

Maui Flight Academy is another amazing aviation school that everyone should look into.

It’s one of the most popular in the country, and their training is very thorough and extensive.

There’s a lot of business opportunities in aviation, to this might be a great fit for everyone who’d literally like to fly for a living.

Their instructors are very experienced in the field, and each of them has over 10,000 hours of flight.

They’ve worked with famous politicians, astronauts, scientists, military pilots, NBA, and NFL players, and many more astounding names.

Enrollment: Applicants must be in good health and have good eyesight.

Fees: You will have to call the number below to find further information about enrollment and course fees.

The school offers the following courses:

  • The Executive Private Pilot Training

Contact information:


8Healthcare School of Hawaii, LLC

Healthcare School of Hawaii was established in 2001 and has a long tradition of creating outstanding nursing and healthcare professionals.

Here, instructors teach students proper bedside manner and other crucial skills that will further help their healthcare career.

Their educational programs are very involved and dynamic, making learning a lot easier.

It’s a well-rounded program aimed at showing students how to care for patients properly.

Their outstanding staff has years of experience in this field of work.

They have a very hands-on approach that is praised by many students.

Enrollment: All applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • All applicants must be at least18 years of age
  • All applicants must provide proof of education – a high school diploma or GED
  • Must be able to read, write, and communicate in English
  • Must have a clean criminal record
  • Must bring a valid photo ID card
  • Physical Exam and TB Clearance (current within one year)

Fees: The tuition fees can vary from $100 to $980, depending on the course.

The school offers the following courses:

  • New Nursing Assistant Courses – Day and Evening courses available
  • CNA Re-certification
  • Review Class for CNA Certification Exam
  • American Heart Association (BLS)
  • American Heart Association CPR/AED/First Aid
  • American Red Cross CPR with AED, First Aid
  • Blood-Borne Pathogen Training

Contact information:


9Chez Klio Maui Cooking Classes

Chez Klio provides students with excellent cooking program.

All future chefs will practice and develop their cooking skills in a private kitchen next to amazing industry professionals.

They focus on classic and Asian fusion cuisine, which is very popular.

All students will learn how to make more than three amazing and delicious dishes.

The school also offers private individual lessons for students who’d like to have one-on-one cooking experience.

With so many luxury resorts and hotels in Hawaii, cooking can be a very lucrative skill.

Enrollment: The applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be at least 16 years of age
  • Must love dogs
  • Must have a passion for cooking

Fees: Price per course is $130.

The school offers the following course:

  • Chez Klio Island Favorites
  • Korean Fusion
  • Thai Cuisine
  • Chinese Cuisine
  • Short courses – Noodle dishes

Contact information:

  • Chez Klio Maui Cooking Classes
  • Address: 5 Holomakani Dr, Kula, HI 96790
  • Phone: 808-876-1925
  • Website: http://www.chezklio.com/

10The Skin Institute of Hawaii

The Skin Institute of Hawaii is one of the most sophisticated beauty schools in all of Hawaii.

With a long tradition of educating people on various beauty techniques, they have created a lot of successful beauty professionals.

When it comes to their instructors, every one of them is a licensed professional with years of experience in their respective fields of work.

The Skin Institute of Hawaii offers an abundance of useful courses aimed at teaching the latest industry trends and techniques.

Beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry with a lot of potential job opportunities.

Enrollment: There aren’t any special requirements. Everyone’s welcome to apply.

Fees: The price for each of the courses go as follows:

  • Lash extensions – $1,495 + tax
  • Microblading – $2,995 + tax
  • Dermaplaning – $895 + tax
  • Lash lifting and tinting – $495 + tax
  • Machines class – $1,105 + tax
  • Waxing expert – $895 + tax
  • Microneedling – $1,995 + tax
  • Makeup Certification – $699 + tax

The school offers the following courses:

  • Lash extensions
  • Microblading
  • Dermaplaning
  • Lash lifting and tinting
  • Machines class
  • Waxing expert
  • Microneedling
  • Makeup Certification

Contact information:


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants1,150$59,690$28.70$82,310$42,270
Medical Records Specialists680$61,190$29.42$84,200$40,730
Nursing Assistants4,850$39,870$19.17$51,320$29,360
Dental Assistants1,620$39,590$19.03$47,690$29,120
Medical Assistants3,630$44,030$21.17$54,010$35,960
Phlebotomists400$45,550$21.90$60,880$37,920
Electricians3,480$88,630$42.61$115,060$56,680
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters2,000$76,530$36.80$107,040$48,000
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics2,450$52,500$25.24$75,440$30,290
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1,260$71,310$34.29$104,470$47,000
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Hawaii, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

Many individuals have realized the benefits of vocational education, which resulted in its rising popularity.

The number of students has risen from 9.6 million in 1999, to 16 million in 2014 – and the numbers continue to skyrocket.

Also, bear in mind that, even though many college professions can earn more money, only half of the students actually graduate from college, while the other half drops out.

So, go with your heart and not the stigma that surrounds trade schools.

Trade schools are less time-consuming, cheaper, and can add a lot of value to one’s professional career.