Hawaii Pacific University

Date: Jul 06 2004
Major: Computer Science (This Major's Salary over time)
First, we'll start out with the positives. What's good about being at HPU is that a lot of the professors here actually have worked in the real world. So you get a good ratio balance of theory vs hands on work. I am happy with the Computer Science program and facilities (they just built a new lab for us). The program is competitive with just about any other program from a liberal arts university. Aside from Computer Science, this school has great Nursing, Marine Biology, and Business programs (Tuition of Nursing and Marine Bio is more expensive). Non-teaching staff is generally very helpful as well. They do put on some nice dances and parties for students, especially if you are of drinking age. Internship opportunities vary… Sometimes there are a lot of listings and sometimes there isn't. They aren't too competitive to get into when they are available. I obtained a well paying internship at a very respected law office with relative ease… Small classes force you to learn here. I am pleased to say that by the time you get to your higher level classes your professors really get to know you. The instructors high up in the department teach most of your middle and upper level (and sometimes lower level) classes. They really listen to the students, care what we have to say and are always pushing for the resources to make the program better. The Comp Sci program here is very good.

Now to the negatives. Sadly enough, the other programs aren't really up to snuff as a lot of the teachers are not paid well. Student housing (IE the dorms) is pretty much an overpriced joke. Yes the food there is horrible, what's worse is that it's only open for a few hours during the day. At the dorms, they do try to have some fun activities, like trips to the North Shore, but they are too far apart to kill the boredom of campus life. The meal plan is NOT optional. The on-campus housing department is a royal pain to deal with, they are not there for you at all. The downtown campus is full of homeless ice (speed) addicts. There is security and cops, but students (and my girlfriend) still get harassed by the homeless all of the time. Parking can be a pain and an huge expense if you don't know where to park at. Right now the cheapest rate I've seen is .50 per half-hour during the day… not too bad but it adds up. Some garages have early-bird special flat rates for like $7. HPU is run very much like a bureaucratic business as oppose to an educating institution, you are reminded of that once and a while. Other small annoying negatives include the horrible school paper, having to deal with the school's constant advertising, and the President's constant PRO-HPU propaganda (at a 9/11 bombing memorial, he was suppose to give a speech… Instead he didn't show, but his secretary read a message from him. The message sounded like an HPU advertisement. Absolutely Disgusting.) BTW, because the school is private, teacher almost never criticize what the trustees do.

Some quick FYI's. HPU is a commuter school, most people take their classes and leave. Be ready to take night classes as a lot of upper level classes are offered only at night. Expect a few adult students in the room. If you are White and from the mainland expect to be in the minority in most classes. HPU is a split campus, the marine science stuff is located at the windward campus, however mostly everything else is located downtown. The school claims the campuses are '10' minutes away. Double that if you are lucky, quadruple that if you are leaving at 8 AM.

A shuttle connects both campuses, it sits 15 and leaves every 15 minutes, it is about as dependable as Windows 95. It fills up, you are often waiting 30 minutes just to get a seat on it. The bus and the shuttle get old quick. Word of advice, if you move out here, get a car, get a car, get a car. Especially if you live on campus.