Hawaii has three boarding schools: Kamehameha Schools on Oʻahu, heavily subsidized by the Bishop Estate with admissions preference for students of Native Hawaiian ancestry; Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea; and Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu. Private boarding tuition runs $55,000–$70,000 per year in 2026.
Key facts about Hawaii boarding schools
- Kamehameha Schools is funded by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, among the largest charitable trusts in the US.
- Kamehameha gives admissions preference to applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
- Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea charges roughly $60,000–$70,000 for boarding.
- HPA and Mid-Pacific Institute both enroll mainland and international boarders.
- Hawaii boarding schools run marine science and Pacific studies programs unavailable on the mainland.
Which are the boarding schools in Hawaii?
| School | Location | Type | Boarding cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamehameha Schools | Kapālama, Oʻahu | Coed, K–12 | Heavily subsidized | Preference for Native Hawaiian ancestry |
| Hawaii Preparatory Academy | Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island | Coed, K–12, PG | ~$60,000–$70,000 | Marine science; mainland and international boarders |
| Mid-Pacific Institute | Honolulu, Oʻahu | Coed, PreK–12 | ~$55,000–$60,000 | IB programme; small boarding cohort |
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools operates on a scale unlike anything else in American secondary education. Funded by the estate of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, its endowment allows tuition far below operating cost plus extensive need-based aid, and its mission — established in the 1883 will creating the trust — gives admissions preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
For eligible families this is among the most affordable high-quality residential educations in the United States. For families without Native Hawaiian ancestry, practical access is limited, and Hawaii Preparatory Academy or Mid-Pacific Institute are the realistic options.
Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Mid-Pacific
Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea sits on the Big Island at the foot of the Kohala Mountains and runs marine science and sustainability programs that use the surrounding environment directly — the closest analogue is what Colorado schools do with mountains. Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu offers the IB with a small boarding cohort inside a large day school.
For mainland families, factor travel realistically: flights are long and expensive, and mid-semester family visits are impractical for most. That constraint is worth weighing against the readiness questions in is boarding school right for my child. All states: best boarding schools by state.
Hawaii boarding school FAQ
What boarding schools are in Hawaii?
Hawaii has three main boarding schools: Kamehameha Schools on Oʻahu, which gives admissions preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry and is heavily subsidized; Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea on the Big Island; and Mid-Pacific Institute in Honolulu.
Is Kamehameha Schools free?
Not free, but heavily subsidized. Kamehameha Schools is funded by the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate, one of the largest charitable trusts in the US, which allows tuition far below operating cost and substantial need-based aid. Admission gives preference to applicants of Native Hawaiian ancestry.
How much does Hawaii Preparatory Academy cost?
Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea charges approximately $60,000–$70,000 per year for boarding students in 2025–26, comparable to mainland boarding schools. It enrolls students from across Hawaii, the mainland US, and internationally on a Big Island campus.
Can mainland students attend boarding school in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Mid-Pacific Institute both enroll mainland and international boarding students. Kamehameha Schools gives admissions preference to students of Native Hawaiian ancestry, which limits access for most mainland applicants.
Sources
- Kamehameha Schools: admissions policy and trust funding.
- Hawaii Preparatory Academy and Mid-Pacific Institute: published tuition and boarding data.