Student Info

Hawaii

Home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes and the world’s tallest sea mountain. Birthplace of surfing and the hula. Former seat of a royal kingdom. Hawaii is one of the youngest geological formations in the world and the youngest state of the union. But perhaps Hawaii’s most unique feature is its Aloha Spirit: the warmth of the people of Hawaii that wonderfully complements the Islands’ perfect temperatures.

There are primarily six major islands to visit in Hawaii: Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii’s Big Island.  The Hawai'i Performing Arts Festival takes place on the Big Island.

The Big Island

Bigger than all of the other islands combined, the island of Hawaii, or Hawaii's Big Island, is vast enough to hold 11 of the world’s 13 climactic zones—from sandy beaches to snowcapped mountains.

See waterfalls, rainforests, and botanical gardens in Hilo. Snorkel, scuba, or fish off the Kona Coast.  The Big Island is home to Kilauea, the world's most active volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Attend a world class summer music festival in Waimea.

Waimea

Waimea (also known as Kamuela, to distinguish itself from a town with the same name located on Kauai) is located in the cooler mountainous area of the Big Island, although only a short distance from the Kohala Coast and its magnificent, world famous beaches.  At 2,500 feet above sea level, the fenced pastures, clear skies, cool air, and grazing cattle and horses offer a country-like charm. 

Waimea is home to many "Paniolo" cowboys, physicians and nurses at the new state-of-the-art North Hawaii Community Hospital, astronomers for the Keck and Canada-France-Hawaii Observatories, and faculty, staff and students of the prestigious college-prep school Hawaii Preparatory Academy, where the festival is based.

Waimea, centrally located at the northern part of the Island, is a 45 minute drive from the Kona- Keahole Airport.  The town sits amongst grassy hills at 2,600 feet and is noticeably cooler than the coast with afternoon mist closing in around the hills but surprisingly little rain. This pleasant climate and town charm has spurred a population boom in recent years and Waimea now boasts a modern shopping mall along with traffic lights and road congestion The old charm nonetheless has been maintained and there are several fine restaurants and inns as well as fascinating historical attractions.