Honolulu/Mānoa, United States
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Summer


Program Overview
DIVE INTO HAWAIIAN AND ASIAN CULTURES IN THE U.S.
Wellina mai—welcome to Honolulu! In the beautiful Mānoa Valley, join an ethnically diverse student body at this thriving land-, sea-, space-, and sun-grant university, known for pioneering research. Deepen your understanding of Hawaiian and Asian cultures with classes like Indigenous Governance and Korean and Japanese Popular Music and Society, plus a great selection of STEM classes.
Meet up with peers for fun activities that connect you to Hawaii’s rich arts, history, and incredible landscapes as you learn about the Native Hawaiian custom of reciprocity and the community spirit of aloha.
UH Mānoa is three miles from downtown Honolulu and less than a mile from Waikīkī. Choose one or two six-week sessions, and get ready to explore the region’s lush landscape, tropical climate, and diverse population.
Special Offer: Attend our new Summer program in 2025 and automatically receive a $250 flight voucher to help defray travel expenses.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
2.00
Credit load
3–12
Housing
Residence Hall/Dormitory
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
None
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn More.
Academics
The flagship campus of the flourishing 10-campus UH system, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a multicultural, global experience on the island of Oʻahu. With a long history of adherence to the principles of sustainability and the essence of aloha, UH Mānoa offers you summer classes in paradise which will keep you on track to graduate. You find more than 500 online and in-person classes—no matter your interest, major, or passion. Popular areas of study include:
- Anthropology
- Business (AACSB accredited)
- Communications & Media
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Engineering
- Foreign Languages
- Geology
- Mathematics
- Marketing
- Oceanography
- Pacific and Asian Studies
- Physics
- Psychology
- Volcanology
During your summer in Hawaii, opt to take 3–6 credits during the six-week Session 1 or take 3–6 credits during the six-week Session 2. You can extend your studies by enrolling in both Session 1 and Session 2, earning up to 12 credits.
You must take at least one in-person class (3–4 credits) per session. Additional classes, per session, may be taken online. However, you must check with your home institution to confirm online classes are permitted.
Visit the Summer Class Preview page (classes tentative offered, but not guaranteed) and the Summer Guaranteed Classes page. A finalized list of classes is published in early March.
- General classes: 3–4 U.S. semester credit hours
- Language classes: 4 U.S. semester credit hours
- Lab classes: 1–2 U.S. semester credit hours
Featured Classes
Summer featured classes include:
- Advertising, Beauty, and Desire in East Asian Advertising (online)
- Community-Based Fisheries Management in Oceania (online)
- Dynamic Earth (online)
- Indigenous Governance (in-person)
- Introduction to Volcanoes (online)
- Japanese Acting: Kabuki (in-person)
- Korean and Japanese Popular Music and Society (online)
- Community-Based Fisheries Management in Oceania (online)
Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and class materials when registering for classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.
Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
- You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
Recommendation Letter
Not required.
TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of the program, you will need to order a transcript sent to your home institution. A transcript will not be sent automatically. IFSA will not have access to your transcript or your grades. You may order an eTranscript or a paper transcript, for a nominal fee ($8-18), through the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa transcript partner, National Student Clearinghouse. For complete transcript ordering information, please visit the Transcript Ordering Center. You may also wish to order a copy of the transcript for your own records.
Excursions
Activities bring you into local communities and encourage cultural connections. Honolulu and the island of Oahu offer an abundance of free and low-cost adventures, to enjoy on your own or with friends.
OUTDOOR FUN
- Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail. Savor sweeping views of the Pacific, Koko Head, and Koko Crater as you stroll the paved path to the historic lighthouse.
- Waikīkī Beach. Catch some sun, swim, and watch surfers and paddlers in outrigger canoes from this world-famous two-mile stretch of white sand. Surfing has been popular here since the 1800s.
- Ala Moana Beach Park. Enjoy calm waters and scenic picnic areas, just two miles from campus.
- Waikīkī Walking Tour. Take a self-guided or guided tour for insights on local landmarks and legends like surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
- Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Swim, snorkel, and see sea turtles, parrotfish, triggerfish, and more at this famous curved beach, surrounded by crater walls and protected since 1967. ($25 entry fee)
- Diamond Head Crater Hike. Explore a Hawaiian landmark with a short hike that rewards you with stunning, panoramic views of Honolulu and the coast. Small entry fee.
- Manoa Falls Hike. Immerse yourself in lush rainforest with a gorgeous,100-foot waterfall as your destination. Scenes from Jurassic Park were filmed here.
FOOD & CULTURE
- Kaka‘ako murals. Explore vibrant street art and murals in Kaka‘ako, a hip urban neighborhood.
- Chinatown. Wander amidst shops, eateries, and art galleries.
- Movies on the beach. Sunset on the Beach events feature a free film on a 30-foot screen, right on Waikīkī Beach.
- Friday Fireworks. Every week at Hilton Hawaiian Village, 7:45 p.m.
- Royal Hawaiian Band. Catch a live performance at Iolani Palace and other venues.
- Iolani Palace. Trace the history of the Hawaiian monarchy from grand balls to overthrow at the only royal palace in the U.S. Ticket prices start at about $12.
- Bishop Museum. Explore world-class exhibits focused on natural history and culture range from Hawaiian gods, legends, and ties to nature to Hawaiian sports heroes. Visit the planetarium to see how Polynesian people navigated. See a model volcano erupt. ($16 and up)
- Hula or lei making class. Learn traditional Hawaiian dance and crafts. Fees vary.
- Hawaiian meals. Try local favorites like laulau, kalua pig, poke, and poi Helena’s Hawaiian Food or Highway Inn. Cost varies.
- Leonard’s Bakery. Savor iconic malasadas. (Less than $2)
- Rainbow Drive-in. Refuel with a tasty local-style plate lunch. (Less than $15)
- KCC Farmers Market. Start your Saturday with fresh pineapple, papaya, and more local produce and foods, then browse unique souvenirs.
- Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. An affordable, adventurous way to shop for souvenirs and local goods. Open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Housing and Meals
Housing
Residence Hall/DormitoryMeals
Most IncludedDetails
Students live at the lower campus in Lokelani, one of the four Hale Aloha Towers (Lokelani is named for the Hawaiian island, Maui). The 13-floor towers are co-ed, each housing 260 residents.
Location: Southern edge of campus, close to the sports and fitness facilities, and about a 10-minute walk from the center of campus. Get around on foot or take the free UH Mānoa Rainbow Shuttle.
Living space: Students share double rooms with extra-long twin beds, closets, shelves, dresser, desks, and chairs. Students provide their own bedding and towels. Each floor has two private bathrooms for community use. The building has two elevators, a community laundry, a community kitchen, and five lounges for socializing and studying.
Meals: This program includes your choice of 14 meals per week. Dining options include Hale Aloha Cafe, The Market (grab and go), and Gateway Cafe (1- to 3-minute walk), and Campus Center Food Court (17-minute walk). Choose from American, Mexican, and Asian favorites. Off campus, there are plenty of options and markets nearby, including a Japanese supermarket and a vegetarian food store.
Additional details: Wi-Fi. Residence director for each tower.
Nearby: The Honolulu neighborhoods of Mo‘ili‘ili and Mānoa have a variety of places to eat, shop, and enjoy the outdoors. Aloa Mānoa Beach Park (about 3 miles). Waikīkī Beach (about 4 miles). Many students walk or bike, and the city bus system, called TheBus, is an inexpensive way to get around.
Dates and Fees
Get Started

Selena Rincon
Senior Enrollment Counselor