7 Summer Programs in Hawaii for High Schoolers

If you are a student living in Hawaii who is looking for a fulfilling summer activity to boost your applications, or even if you’re a student who would like to have a productive summer in a tropical paradise, a summer program in Hawaii might be right for you. Hawaii offers many options in terms of high school summer programs, from theatre and art to public health opportunities. To learn what summer programs are available for you in Hawaii this summer, read on.

How Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers

Summer programs give students a wide variety of valuable experiences for their college applications. It exposes students to a specific field of study so that they can evaluate whether the field is something they would like to learn more about as a college major. They also gain some great, hands-on experience that would look great on their college resume.

Summer programs are generally also not as competitive as many high school internships, so students have a higher likelihood of being accepted into a summer program. In that sense, you could get a great experience without all of the pressure of an internship.

Summer Programs in Hawaii for High Schoolers

1. Art Explorium

This is a great opportunity for prospective artists and designers. The Art Explorium is a non-profit, community-based art center that offers teen and adult workshops to teach you advanced painting, drawing and sculpting techniques. If you’re interested in studio art, feel free to apply!

• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $5-25 per workshop
• Application Deadline: Rolling

2. Diamond Head Musical Theatre Experience I

The Diamond Head Theatre’s MTE program allows students aged 7-18 to hone their acting, singing, and dancing skills in a professional setting with real guest artists. The 7-week program includes activities like “How to Audition” workshops and a final performance for all participants to see what they’ve learned. No prior experience in acting, singing, or dancing is required. 

• Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
• Program Cost: $750
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2019

3. Diamond Head Musical Theatre Experience II

If you have previous performance experience and really want to develop your professional musical theater skills, this is the MTE program for you. This is an intensive two-week, full-day program that allows students to refine techniques they’ve developed and gain further knowledge in musical theatre. 

• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $625
• Application Deadline: July 15, 2019

4. Hawai’i Preparatory Academy Summer Session

The Hawai’i Preparatory Academy (HPA) puts on a 3-week-long day and boarding program for students from all over the world. Students in this program go through an integrated diverse curriculum centered around environmental stewardship and sustainability practices. Prospective HPA students can also be exposed to the school, its programs, and its instructors.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: $4,000
• Application Deadline: April 12, 2019

5. Honolulu Theater For Youth

Students looking to hone their acting and playwriting skills in a theatre setting may want to consider Honolulu Theater for Youth Teen Acting Company’s Write On! program. This program teaches students the art of writing plays and creating a story for the stage.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th
• Program Cost: $595
• Application Deadline: May 24, 2019

6. ‘Lolani School Summer Programs

The ‘Lolani School is dedicated to “offering students from the community and abroad an opportunity to enrich their knowledge and curiosity through an engaging curriculum and interactive learning environments in order to foster lifelong learners ready for the 21st century and beyond.”. Thus, they offer a diverse array of summer classes, with boarding options, for students looking to enrich their learning experience.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Program Cost: Varies based on classes and boarding options
• Application Deadline: May 10, 2019

7. Hawai’i Pre-Health Corps

This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to go into health-related careers. This program allows high school students to learn about various health careers through volunteering, interning, shadowing, and/or conducting research with the Hawai’i Pre-Health Corps. In addition, students will gain access to a support network for college and beyond.

• Grades: 9th, 10th, and 11th
• Application Deadline: Rolling

For More Information

Need some more summer programs to explore? Check out these previous blog posts:

6 Summer Programs at Harvard For High Schoolers

12 Summer Programs You Can Still Apply To

Your Ultimate Guide To Summer Programs For High Schoolers

Pre-College Summer Programs For High School Students

For more guidance about extracurriculars, college applications, and how to choose activities that best suit your teen, download our free guide for 9th graders and our free guide for 10th graders. Our guides go in-depth about subjects ranging from academics, choosing courses, standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and much more!