Hawaii Pacific University

Date: Sep 12 2008
Major: Biology (This Major's Salary over time)
I went to HPU for one semester as a marine biology major. There are positive and negative aspects to the school. I said I would not return for one main reason: EXPENSIVE and the financial aid dept. is horrible. I have heard so many conflicting things from them, I just don't know what to believe. When I first moved here, I had all my financial aid settled. However, once school started, I discovered that they refused to accept my private loan and denied it (without telling me). So I had to refile FAFSA THREE times because of office errors (on HPU's side). Then, once I thought it was all straightened out and I got my refund check, they had cut the amount significantly AGAIN. Needless to say, I ended up working 30 hours a week in addition to going to school full-time (at the windward campus which is an hour commute from where I lived). Was not the best semester I've ever had.

With that aside, I will say the faculty was excellent. They have a lot of Ph.Ds, especially in the science department. I took an introductory to oceanography class and we were on a research vessel (12 students max) four hours a week. We saw humpback whales, some green sea turtles, a hammerhead shark, and random fish. The education is of high quality and there are many opportunities available to you. I will say, I had one professor (who only teaches this one class; she teaches at UH full-time) who's english was not the best. She was nice and pleasant until someone asked a question…then she would get mad. Our class kinda turned it into a joke and asked questions on purpose…you know how they are. The entire class was a joke; I had to do more work for that class than any other and it was a lab worth one credit (chem II lab btw).

The negative comments about the downtown campus are correct. It's not a real campus; it's spread throughout random buildings in the fort street mall. For example, the moldy old library is on the second, third, and fifth floors of one building. This is not a safe place. At night, AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I had to wait for the bus there for an hour after my evening class at about ten pm. I've had a few incidents. There are some security guards around the area, but if they are of any assistance to you, I'd be surprised. Plus, ChinaTown is a block down.

The Hawai'i Loa campus is nicer; on it's own property, but is small. They are planning on integrating all of HPU to this campus and expanding it in the next few years…something to look forward to.

For me, I'm transferring to somewhere a little more affordable.

So, in the end, it's a great education, Hawai'i is an amazing place and you won't regret your time here however short or long it may be. But, beware of the price tag and the financial aid department. Good luck and e komo mai to Hawai'i!