The University of Hawaii - Hilo

Date: Dec 13 2004
Major: Communications (This Major's Salary over time)
UHH deffinitely has several negative comments, which you can read for yourself, but it really isn't as bad as people make it out to be. For one, Hilo is a small town, so be prepared for a small town atmosphere. But overall, going to UHH isn't all that bad. The food service does suck and needs to be changed. The dorms may not be the cleanest when you get here … so then clean them and stop bitching about how dirty the place is. Since Hilo is so wet and is practically a rain forest, there are alot of insects, so yes you might wake up in the morning and find a gecko in the shower with you… but that's ok. gecko's eat all the ants. If you are from the mainland and are looking at this college, consider your choice wisely. Hawaii is a very beautiful place, that is like no other, and as perfect as it is here, alot of people just can't handle it. Hawaii is very laid back, so if you have had a stressful senior year, or just want to take a year off pretty much, but still want to get aweseome grades, then consider UHH. The classess here are very easy, simmillar to a high school class, but the class sizes are small so you can even get addittional help if you want. I would however reccommend that you get a car if you want to come here. Don't listen to what anyone says about you not needing a car here, because you do. The bus system is worthless and having to catch rides with friends get's old fast since you have to work around what's convienient for your ride instead of going places during a convienent time for you. I have been here for a year and a 1 sems. and I will prob grad. from here. I am from the mainland, and I am white. If you are white and you come to Hawaii, don't be suprised to be called a "how-lee" but don't expect it. Some people are actually nice, so treat them how you'd expect to be treated.

Everyone seems to be dissing Hilo pretty bad…so then they should just leave. You don't have to get out of Hilo very far before you are in awe of what you are seeing. The thing that I love about Hawaii is the diversity. You can go from a rainforest, to snow, to a desert, all with in 1hr and 30 min. from Hilo, which is another reaason you need a car. And for all of you surfers, Hilo does have a surf spot close, called Honolii. It's not incredible but it's certainly not bad, especially in the winter time when the swells come in.

The one thing I would reccomend to anyone considering UHH is to seriously spend some time considering your decision. I myself enjoy going to huge parties all the time, which you can't find here in Hilo. It's all a trade off for what you want, Hawaii has offered me so many awesome experiences that I couldn't do anywhere in the world but here. So if you are looking for the typical collge experience where you can get trashed at raging parties nightly, don't come, but if you are willing to try new things then you might like Hawaii. If you are an outdoors person then you will love Hawaii. You can always fly to visit and see for yourself what this place is all about. Besides, when else are you going to seriously be able to afford to live in Hawaii, other than when you are in college.