Introductory Information

UH Hilo Home > Student Affairs > National Student Exchange

Travel/Arrival Plans

When booking your airline tickets, is it is recommended that you arrange for your flight from Honolulu on the island of O'ahu to fly into Hilo and not Kona on the island of Hawai'i, called the "Big Island". Going from Kona to Hilo by car takes around 2 or 2-1/2 hours. There are some intra-island flights between Hilo and Kona but cost can vary greatly. By the way, inter-island tickets are often cheaper when bought as part of the total package. This also allows you to check your luggage from your departure airport all the way through to Hilo.

Be careful about when you need to use the return portion of a round-trip plane ticket. Many internet purchases, for example, require use within a three-month period. Since the semesters are approximately four months long, that wouldn't work!

Upon your arrival at Hilo Airport, you can find taxis curb-side. The taxi ride should cost around $12-$15 dollars or so. If you have questions, the airport "Information" booth is directly across from the two baggage carousels.

If you are residing on-campus, the resident hall check-in is until 11:00p.m. daily. For the Fall semester, campus food service starts with dinner on (TBA).

Living in Hilo

Culture

Hawai'i is the most ethnically diverse state in the nation. Our campus reflects this diversity. Approximately 32% of our student population is Caucasian, while approximately 68% is of either Japanese, Filipino, Hawaiian, or mixed ancestry. There is no clear-cut ethnic majority.

Because of this multi-ethnic make-up, understanding and appreciation of different cultures and backgrounds is essential to maintaining harmony. Although Hawai'i is not perfect and has its share of challenges in the area of human relations, potential misunderstandings can usually be avoided.

By the way, only people of Hawaiian ancestry are referred to as "Hawaiians"--and definitely not "natives". People who were born in Hawai'i, regardless of ancestry, are commonly referred to as "locals."

We will assist you in learning more about your new community by sponsoring orientation sessions and intercultural activities. Please come to Hawai'i with an open heart and a willingness to learn about its history, peoples, customs and values.

Please read these additional articles as well:

Climate

The "Big Island" of Hawai'i is environmentally diverse as well - from deserts to beaches and mountains in between. Hilo, on the windward side of the island, is known for its tropical rain. Do bring lightweight rain gear and a sweater or jacket for those nights when the temperature can plummet into the 50's or 60's. Speaking of rain, although we do get a lot of it, the clouds often give way to warm sun and stunning rainbows.

Transportation

The Hele On bus system does provide island-wide service but at an irregular schedule so cannot relied upon as a total transportation solution. Taxi service is also available and discount coupons are sold on campus. The housing office vans periodically provide transportation for shopping and off-campus outings.

Bikes, mopeds, etc. are a popular choice for personal transportation but usually don't provide a "total" solution for getting around the island. Although the cost of purchasing a used car is not always within one's budget, (around one thousand dollars and up, unless you're lucky) NSE students have reported that having a car (or access to one through a friend) added much to their exchange experience. Ride-sharing and car-pooling is a common practice. Hitchhiking is strongly discouraged!

Financial Matters

Employment

For on-campus (and some off-campus) job listings, visit the Career Center's website at career.uhh.hawaii.edu. Only students awarded UH Hilo Financial Aid with "Work Study" are permitted to apply for the on-campus Work Study positions. "General Funds" positions are highly competitive. You must be physically on campus to apply. Also, see the local newspaper's link on the "Hepful Links" page of this website for help wanted ads.

Living Expenses

Living expenses are generally higher in Hawai'i than on the mainland U.S. because many items have to be shipped in. Still, over a million of us survive the costs and you can, too! Ways of stretching your dollars include shopping at discount and surplus stores, buying in bulk (there's a Costco on the Kona side, a two hour drive), using coupons, shopping at the semi-weekly Farmers' Market in downtown Hilo, and/or... buying less stuff! I suggest making a realistic budget before you come to help you manage your money. The NSE "Budget/Resources Worksheet" may help you out. It is strongly recommended that you have sufficient resources to cover basic expenses such as rent and food for your exchange term(s) without "needing" a job.

The UH Hilo cost of attendance estimates for housing, food, books, transportation, personal supplies can be found on the UH Hilo homepage <hilo.hawaii.edu> "Financial Aid" link under Financial Aid Forms. Select "Estimated 2011-2012 Cost of Attendance Budget".

Banking

Banking institutions are plentiful, though there are no "national" bank branches in the state of Hawai'i. Some of the major local banks include American Savings Bank, First Hawaiian Bank, and Bank of Hawaii. One of the several credit unions in Hilo: HFS Federal Credit Union, is a few blocks from campus. ATMs are widespread on the island (Bank of Hawaii has the only one on campus, which is located in the library) and the machines usually accept cards linked to national systems such as "Plus", "Cirrus", and "Star", among others.

If you wish to establish a bank account, you'll need a valid driver's license, state ID, or passport. We suggest using a recently-dated cashier's check, traveler's checks, or cash to make your initial deposit. A typical banking policy here is to place a hold on all "mainland checks" for approximately 8-10 working days before funds are accessible. "New account holds" can be up to 30 days at some financial institutions in some situations.

NSE Links: