How To to Plan a College Tours Around Hawaii

Hawaii is a dream destination for many high school students, and it’s easy to see why. Beautiful weather, delicious food, and vibrant culture make it an ideal place to discover post-secondary opportunities. With over 20 universities and colleges in the Aloha State, there are plenty of options for students to consider. We’ve put together the ultimate guide to planning a Hawaii college tour to help students and educators make the most of their trip. Whether you’re interested in schools in Honolulu or Hilo, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn more about how Busrental.net can help you get around the islands!

What You Need to Know Before You Go

Planning a college tour in Hawaii is a bit different than planning one in the continental U.S. If you’re coming from the mainland, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind before you go:

Inter-Island Travel

If you’re traveling to multiple colleges across the Hawaiian islands, you’ll need to plan ahead for inter-island flights. Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines offer flights between Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. These flights can be relatively short (around 30-40 minutes) and affordable if you book in advance. Some airlines have partnerships with rental car companies that can help you save money on ground transportation.

Driving Distances

On each island, colleges may be separated by long driving distances. For example, if you’re visiting the University of Hawaii at Hilo, it’s about a 2.5-hour drive from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu. You’ll need to plan for long travel days between colleges, so be sure to book a charter bus or minibus rental to make the trip easier for everyone.

Time Zone Differences

The Hawaiian time zone is 5 hours behind Eastern Time (ET). If you’re coming from the East Coast, you’ll need to plan for an adjustment period when you arrive in Hawaii. Make sure your students and chaperones stay hydrated and get plenty of rest on your flight over.

Weather Considerations

The weather in Hawaii can be unpredictable. The islands are known for trade winds that bring cool, refreshing air from the northeast, but these winds can also bring rain. When planning your trip, keep an eye on the weather forecast for each island and be prepared to bring rain gear if necessary. Check out our guide to packing for a college tour to make sure you have everything you need!

Transportation Options

When traveling around Hawaii, you have several transportation options to consider:

• Personal Vehicles: If you’re traveling with a small group, you may choose to rent a car or drive personal vehicles between colleges. Keep in mind that parking can be expensive and difficult to find in Honolulu due to limited space.

• Rental Cars: If you’re flying between islands, some airlines may offer discounted rental cars through partner companies. Keep an eye out for deals when booking your flights.

• Rideshare: You can use rideshare services like Uber or Lyft on Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island. Services are limited on Molokai and Lanai.

• Parking: Colleges in Hawaii offer free parking for visitors, but spaces may be limited.

If you’re traveling with a large group, your best option is to rent a charter bus or minibus. Busrental.net works with a network of over 5,000 bus providers across the country, including those in Hawaii. We’ll help you find a modern, air-conditioned bus rental that fits your needs. Your group can relax in reclining seats and enjoy amenities like WiFi and TVs with a charter bus driver taking care of all the navigation.

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Address: 2500 Campus Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-8975

The flagship campus of the University of Hawaii system is located just outside downtown Honolulu. With over 200 undergraduate programs and 40 graduate programs, it’s the largest and most comprehensive college in Hawaii. The diverse student body represents all 50 states and over 100 countries, and the university is known for its excellent research opportunities. If you’re interested in a large research university with a diverse student body, UH Manoa is a great place to start your search.

Group Tour Information

The University of Hawaii at Manoa offers free group tours for high school students and community organizations with 15 or more students. Groups should be no larger than 50 students with a maximum of 10 chaperones. Tours are available Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. During the school year, tours are not offered on weekends or during school holidays.

You’ll need to request your group tour at least two weeks in advance. To request a tour, email groupvisits@hawaii.edu with the following information:

• Your name and title

• Your school or organization’s name

• Your phone number

• The number of students in your group

• The grade level of your students

• The date and time you’d like to visit

Campus Map

Before your group tour, be sure to familiarize yourself with the UH Manoa campus by checking out an online map. The campus is organized into several different sections:

• Main Campus: This is where most of the academic buildings are located.

• The Quad: The center of campus is home to a large grassy area where students can relax and study.

• Kennedy Theatre: Located near The Quad, this is the main performance space for UH Manoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

• Campus Center: This building houses many student services offices, including Admissions and Financial Aid.

• Campus Recreation Services: UH Manoa has multiple fitness facilities where students can exercise and play sports.

Parking Information

Parking at UH Manoa is at a premium and can be difficult to find during peak hours (7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday). The university offers free parking for visitors in designated visitor parking areas. You’ll need to use pay-by-plate parking stalls and enter your vehicle information using the pay stations located near the stalls. For group tours, you can use visitor parking stalls in the Lower Campus Parking Structure (Zone 20), which are located on floors 5 through 8 (levels 1–4 are reserved for faculty and staff). The cost is $6 per vehicle per day.

Hawaii Pacific University

Downtown Honolulu is home to Hawaii Pacific University, a private liberal arts college with about 4,000 students. The university offers over 50 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs in fields like business administration, public health, and nursing. HPU focuses on providing an experience that combines high-quality academics with hands-on learning opportunities. If you’re interested in a small university with a focus on liberal arts programs, HPU could be a great fit.

Individual Tour Information

Hawaii Pacific University offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Tours last about two hours and include an information session with an admissions counselor followed by a walking tour of campus led by a current HPU student.

You can register for an individual campus tour online by visiting HPU’s tour registration page. If you have questions or would like to register over the phone, you can call (808) 544-0238 or email campustours@hpu.edu.

Campus Map

HPU offers two main campuses in downtown Honolulu: the Hawaii Loa Campus and the Downtown Campus. The majority of undergraduate programs are located at the Downtown Campus, which covers several city blocks near Aloha Tower Marketplace. The campus is divided into three main areas:

• Aloha Tower Marketplace: This area is home to the main entrance to the campus as well as many student services offices.

• Aloha Tower: This iconic building serves as the center of student life at HPU. It houses many dining options and meeting spaces as well as some academic offices.

• Bishop Square: This area is home to several academic buildings along Bishop Street.

If you’re interested in graduate programs or studying environmental science or marine biology, you’ll want to visit the Hawaii Loa Campus. The campus is located about 10 miles away from Aloha Tower Marketplace on the eastern shore of Oahu.

Parking Information

Downtown Honolulu offers several parking options for visitors to HPU:

• Aloha Tower Parking: Visitors can park in any of the metered parking spots near Aloha Tower Marketplace. Rates vary depending on the location of the parking spot.

• Bishop Square Parking: Metered parking is available at Bishop Square for $6 per 3 hours.

If you’re visiting the Hawaii Loa Campus, you can park in any of the designated visitor parking spots. If you’re planning to explore the Hawaii Loa Campus and the Downtown Campus in one day, you can park in a metered spot at Aloha Tower Marketplace and take a 10-minute walk down Fort Street Mall to the Hawaii Loa Campus. From there, you can take a free shuttle to the Downtown Campus.

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Address: 3140 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Phone: (808) 735-4711

Chaminade University of Honolulu is a small private college with a strong focus on liberal arts programs. The university offers about 25 undergraduate majors as well as graduate programs in fields like education, criminal justice, and nursing. Many students are interested in Chaminade’s location just outside downtown Honolulu as well as its small class sizes and emphasis on hands-on learning. If you’re looking for a small college with a focus on liberal arts programs and a strong sense of community, Chaminade could be a great choice.

Individual Tour Information

Chaminade offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Tours last about 90 minutes and include an information session with an admissions counselor followed by a walking tour of campus. You can register for an individual campus tour online by visiting Chaminade’s tour registration page. If you have questions or would like to register over the phone, you can call (808) 739-8340 or email admissions@chaminade.edu.

Campus Map

The Chaminade campus is located in the Kaimuki neighborhood, about 10 minutes away from downtown Honolulu. The campus is organized around several main areas:

• Henry Hall: This building houses many academic programs as well as the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

• Campus Center: Here, you’ll find many student services offices as well as the dining hall and bookstore.

• Silversword Athletics Complex: Chaminade offers six NCAA Division II sports teams that compete in the Pacific West Conference.

• Mystical Rose Oratory: This chapel is home to weekly mass services as well as special events and religious services.

Parking Information

Chaminade offers free parking for visitors in designated spaces near Henry Hall and the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. You’ll need to pick up a visitor parking pass from the Office of Admissions during your visit. If you’re unable to pick up a parking pass before your visit, you can park in any visitor spot and notify the admissions office of your vehicle information. Parking is free, but spaces are limited.

Brigham Young University Hawaii

Address: 55-220 Kulanui St, Laie, HI 96762
Phone: (808) 675-3211

Different from the Provo location, this is on Oahu’s North Shore in the town of Laie, Brigham Young University Hawaii is a private university affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university offers about 30 undergraduate programs in fields like business management, biology, and psychology. BYU Hawaii is known for its diverse student body representing over 70 countries and its emphasis on international education. The university offers many opportunities for students to study abroad and hosts students from sister institutions across the Pacific and Asia.

Individual Tour Information

BYU Hawaii offers campus tours Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. Tours last about two hours and include an information session with an admissions counselor followed by a walking tour of campus. You can register for an individual campus tour online by visiting BYU Hawaii’s tour registration page. If you have questions or would like to register over the phone, you can call (808) 675-3738 or email admissions@byuh.edu.

Campus Map

The BYU Hawaii campus is located in Laie, a small town about an hour’s drive from downtown Honolulu. The campus is organized around several main areas:

• The Aloha Center: This building houses many student services offices as well as the school’s main dining hall.

• The McKay Building: Here, you’ll find many academic programs as well as the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.

• The Cannon Activities Center: BYU Hawaii offers many athletic facilities, including a basketball court, volleyball court, swimming pool, and fitness center.

• The Laie Hawaii Temple: Located across the street from campus, this temple is one of the most iconic buildings in Laie.

Parking Information

Parking at BYU Hawaii is limited and can be difficult to find during peak hours from 7:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday. The university offers free parking for visitors in designated visitor parking stalls located near the Aloha Center. You’ll need to pick up a parking pass from the Office of Admissions during your visit. If you’re unable to pick up a parking pass, you can park in any visitor stall and notify the admissions office of your vehicle information. Parking is free, but spaces are limited.

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Address: 200 W Kawili St, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 932-7446

The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers a small, scenic college experience on the Big Island. The university enrolls about 3,000 students and offers over 60 undergraduate programs as well as graduate programs in fields like education, nursing, and business administration. UH Hilo is known for its diverse student body and relatively affordable tuition rates for an out-of-state public university. The campus is located in the town of Hilo, which has a low cost of living compared to Honolulu. UH Hilo is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable public university with strong ties to the local community.

Group Tour Information

The University of Hawaii at Hilo does not offer specific group tours for high school students, but they do provide individual tours for prospective students. If you’re planning to visit with a group of high school students, be sure to contact the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before your visit to see if they can accommodate your group.

Campus Map

The UH Hilo campus is located in the hills above Hilo Bay on the Big Island. The campus is organized around several main areas:

• Campus Center Plaza: This area is home to many student services offices as well as the main dining hall.

• The Campus Center Building: Here, you’ll find many student services offices as well as a coffee shop and convenience store.

• The Student Services Center: The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is located here along with other student services offices.

• The University Classroom Building: Many academic programs and classrooms are located in this building.

Parking Information

The University of Hawaii at Hilo offers free parking for visitors in designated visitor parking stalls located near the Student Services Center. You’ll need to pick up a parking pass from the Office of Admissions during your visit. If you’re unable to pick up a parking pass before your visit, you can park in any visitor stall and notify the admissions office of your vehicle information. Parking is free, but spaces are limited.

Explore Hawaii Colleges with Busrental.net

Planning a college tour in Hawaii takes more coordination than a typical mainland tour, but the payoff is immeasurable. Students get to experience the aloha spirit firsthand while exploring top-notch academic programs. The key is advanced planning to handle logistics like inter-island travel, long driving distances, and unpredictable weather. Working with transportation partners like Busrental.net removes the stress so students and counselors can simply soak in island life. Our charter buses and minibuses ensure safe, comfortable travel between campuses and activities. Drivers handle navigation and parking while groups relax and bond over island adventures. By relying on us for transportation, tour organizers maximize time for campus tours, hikes, beach days, and local cuisine. Make your Hawaii college tour dreams come true with help from the team at Busrental.net!