10 Best Trade Schools inHonolulu, HI

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Renowned for its amazing vibe and atmosphere, Honolulu is also a great place to start a new career.

The city is famous for its great trade schools which offer unique development and career programs.

In addition, trade schools are a great alternative for traditional education and we selected some of the best in this city.



1Travel Institute of the Pacific

Hawaii is one of the most prolific states for tourism and the Travel Institute of the Pacific is the perfect place to start a career in this very dynamic and profitable field.

The courses are focused on real-life skills and needs that will help you gather all the needed skills and knowledge to take care of any event and type of hotel.

The professors and educators are experts in the culinary arts and hospitality field and they will take you through all the needed information and also offer live practice sessions in hotels and restaurants.

The tuition fee greatly differs based on the program of your choice, financial aid eligibility, scholarships and other factors but overall one year of tuition is around 13000 USD.

The enrollment process differs based on your previous education and experience but overall you will need a high school diploma or an equivalent, ID/drivers license, to be at least 18 years old and the proof of state residency.

Courses offered

  • Travel management
  • Hospitality
  • Culinary arts

Contact information


2Paul Mitchell the School – Honolulu

Paul Mitchell School Honolulu is part of a very large chain of extraordinary beauty schools that can be found in most of the major cities of the United States.

The programs are designed to help every student get the hang of the beauty industry and quickly get the needed skills, esthetics and techniques to become an amazing professional.

The students that graduate from this schools have very high chances to find work in amazing salons or they can choose to have an independent path given that they are also receiving business training.

The tuition fee differs based on the program of your choice. One of the most expensive programs is the hair styling which takes a few months to complete and costs around 15000 USD.

The enrollment process is rather easy and it only requests an ID/drivers license to prove that you are 18 years old or older, a high school diploma or an equivalent, medical and vaccine background, an a clean criminal record.

Courses offered

  • Barbering
  • Hair styling
  • Hair design and others

Contact information


3Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine

Modern but yet with some very old school programs and techniques, the Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine is an extraordinary place to start a new career in this fascinating field.

The educational team is made of international experts in alternative medicine and they complied one of the most relevant and future-oriented curricula that will give you amazing skills and knowledge in a short time.

The programs are designed to take you from the very basic knowledge and slowly build up the skills and techniques to make sure that at the end of you studies you will be ready for any patient.

The tuition fee depends on the military status, financial aid and others. To learn more about the prices please contact the admission office.

The enrollment process is rather easy and it only requests an ID/drivers license to prove that you are 18 years old or older, a high school diploma or an equivalent, medical and vaccine background, an a clean criminal record.

Courses offered

  • Acupuncture
  • Herbalism

Contact information


4Heald College – Honolulu

Oriented to a bright and practical future, Heald College is an excellent place to start your new career in the trade industries and receive training from the best in the field.

The educational board carefully selected the programs and courses to respond to the needs of the job market and industries, guaranteeing you the chances to easily find a job upon graduation.

The campus is very welcoming and friendly and besides the comfortable dorms you will also find the perfect place to relax and make friends for a lifetime.

The tuition fee greatly varies depending on the program of your choice, accommodation, scholarships and whether or not you are included in a special category like military veterans. Overall, one year of full-time education at this college is around 13000 USD.

The application criteria are very student-friendly and they consist of a high school diploma or equivalent, ID/drivers license, background check and a medical background check and vaccination record for medical programs.

Courses offered

  • Medical billing
  • Accounting
  • Medical office administration and many more

Contact information


5Hawaii Medical College

No matter your previous education or training, Hawaii Medical College is an amazing place to start a new career in the medical field and get skills for a lifetime.

The school welcomes everyone, including veterans and has special grants and scholarships that will help you get the best of your education without worrying about money.

The educational board is very modern and professional and they will help you choose the best program for your career dreams, the best financing options and the best job upon graduation.

The tuition for any program depends on financial aid, military status and other factors but one the highest taxes is 26000 USD per year.

The enrollment process is very basic and it requires a high school diploma or an equivalent, ID/drivers license to prove that you are 18 years old or older, medical background and vaccination record.

Courses offered

  • Medical billing and coding
  • Medical assistant
  • Pharmacy technician

Contact information

  • Address: 1221 Kapiolani Blvd Suite #102, Honolulu, HI 96814
  • Phone: +1 808-237-5140
  • Website: https://www.hmi.edu/

6Hawaii Institute of Hair Design

Hawaii Institute of Hair Design is one of the most popular and professional places to start a beautiful and glamorous career in the field of beauty and hair styling.

The programs are focused on both old-school beauty techniques and also on some of the newest trends, techniques and hair dyes. You will get to learn from extraordinary experts all the secrets of this amazing profession.

The students will also get the chance to work in the school salon and gain all the skills and confidence needed as well as seeing the real-life salon atmosphere and challenges.

The tuition fee for each program depends on the chosen program but overall one of the average prices is around 12000 USD.

The admission process is very easy and you will need to be at least 18 years old to apply. You will need an ID/drivers license, application form and you may be asked to submit a medical record.

Courses offered

  • Barbering
  • Hair styling

Contact information


7HDAA Hawaii Dental Assisting Academy

Hawaii Dental Assisting Academy is an excellent place to start a brand new career in this dynamic, challenging and high-paid field. The academy is ranked as one of the go-to places in the state of Hawaii for this profession.

The trainers and educators are renowned for their professionalism and dedication and they will make sure that you have all the skills and knowledge needed to start an extraordinary career.

The program is centered around the needs of the patient and you will have the unique chance to apply to partner clinic and quickly start an amazing career in just a few months.

The tuition fee for the certificate programs is 4500 USD and it covers all the needed materials, textbooks and resources to successfully complete this program.

The enrollment process is very easy and it consists in paying part of the tuition fee, application fee, submitting your high school diploma or an equivalent, ID/drivings license copy, TB test, medical background and a basic medical background.

Courses offered

  • Dental assistant

Contact information


8Hawaii Real Estate School

Modern, dedicated and with excellent tutors, INET Hawaii Real Estate School is a very affordable and professional educational choice that will give you amazing job opportunities.

The trainers and educators are active and respected real estate brokers that have decades of experience and lots of secrets, tips, and tricks to share with you.

The resources and practice areas are extremely modern and you will also get the chance to have a full reimbursement in the case you chance your mind regarding the course or don’t want to finish it anymore.

The tuition fee for the pre-license course is just 625 USD and it includes all the materials, textbooks and resources.

The enrollment criteria are very simple. First of all you have to be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or an equivalent, be a resident and pay the tuition fee.

Courses offered

  • Pre-license certification course

Contact information


9Bartending Academy Hawaii

Rated as one of the best places to start a career in the hospitality and bartending industry in this hot state, the Bartending Academy of Hawaii is an excellent place to start your training.

The school offers some of the best trainers and practice areas that will give you a full training regarding the pouring, mixing, preparation and serving of drinks and cocktails.

The trainers, educators, and trainers are excellent and they will take you through all the needed steps and training to be able to handle every recipe, request and cocktail.

The tuition fee for the basic program is 250 USD and it can reach up to 500 USD if you want additional qualifications.

The admission process is very easy and the documents needed are your ID/drivers license to prove that you are 18 years or older, tuition fee, background check and proof of residency.

Courses offered

  • Bartending certificate

Contact information


10Makana Esthetics and Wellness Academy

Makana Esthetics and Wellness Academy is one of the most diverse and complex places in the state of Hawaii to learn the secrets and trades of the beauty industry.

The program includes all the needed theoretical knowledge to help your clients look their very best. The program also includes medical knowledge and sanitation rules to make sure you will work very safe and clean.

The educators are all experts in beauty and they will take you on an amazing journey of learning and practicing the art of beauty. At the end of just a few weeks of training you will be ready for a brand new career.

The tuition fee ranges between 5000 and 10000 USD, based on the program of your choice, scholarship and financial aid eligibility.

The enrollment process is very simple and you will be assisted by the school for basic courses The basic requirements are a high school diploma or equivalent, application form and tuition fee. Some programs may also require a medical checkup.

Courses offered

  • Esthetician
  • Makeup
  • Massage
  • Waxing and many others

Contact information


Salary Information for Popular Trade Careers

CareerEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Paralegals and Legal Assistants910$58,680$28.21$78,150$41,380
Medical Records Specialists560$62,110$29.86$82,200$42,630
Nursing Assistants3,460$40,130$19.29$51,320$30,970
Dental Assistants1,190$38,860$18.68$47,050$28,580
Medical Assistants2,770$43,820$21.07$54,240$35,960
Phlebotomists360$45,690$21.97$60,880$37,920
Electricians2,740$89,740$43.15$115,060$57,060
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters1,540$77,100$37.07$107,000$48,110
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics1,660$53,090$25.53$75,880$30,090
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers990$72,660$34.94$105,050$47,920
* Salary information based on the May 2022 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Urban Honolulu, HI metropolitan statistical area, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Final Thoughts

These are some of the top places to start a new and exciting career in Honolulu.

Embrace the career of your dreams with the help of trade programs and start an amazing future!


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