Best Trade Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii (2025 Guide)

Updated September 14, 2025 | Brad Fishbein

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Here are the best schools in Honolulu. Use this guide to compare accredited programs, program lengths, and licensing steps in Hawaii. Construction, healthcare, and hospitality are steady employers on Oahu, and many skilled trades pay above national averages in Hawaii1.

Top Trade Schools in Honolulu

School Program Length Highlights
Honolulu Community College (UH System) 1–2 years (certificates and AAS) Regionally accredited through UH; hands-on labs for Electrical Installation & Maintenance, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Welding, Carpentry, Diesel Mechanics, Automotive, Marine Tech; strong apprenticeship ties; home of PCATT for IT upskilling2.
Kapiʻolani Community College (UH System) 1–2 years Regionally accredited; standout Health Sciences including Surgical Technology, Medical Assisting, EMT/Paramedic, Health Information Technology; plus Culinary Arts and Hospitality; strong clinical partners in Honolulu2.
Hawaiʻi Medical College 9–18 months Nationally accredited career school with programs in Medical Assisting, Medical Billing and Coding, Pharmacy Technician, Healthcare IT; day and evening options; hybrid delivery; financial aid eligible2.
Paul Mitchell The School Honolulu 12–18 months Nationally accredited cosmetology school; salon floor training; prepares graduates for Hawaii cosmetology licensing exams; flexible schedules23.
Hawaiʻi Institute of Hair Design 10–12 months Nationally accredited barbering program in downtown Honolulu; on-campus barbershop for real client practice; prepares for state barber license23.
Travel Institute of the Pacific 9–12 months Nationally accredited; diplomas in Hospitality, Tourism, and Airline Customer Service; career placement support for Honolulu’s tourism sector2.
PCATT at Honolulu CC 4–16 weeks (bootcamps) Short, stackable certificates in CompTIA A+/Net+, Cisco CCNA, Fiber Optics, CAD/CAM, cybersecurity; evening and weekend schedules; offered under HCC’s accreditation2.

Tip: Always confirm current accreditation and program approvals on College Navigator before enrolling2.

Skilled Trades in Demand

Electrician

  • Commercial and residential projects, defense facilities, and solar keep demand steady on Oahu. Hawaii’s electrician pay is among the highest compared to national averages, and licensed journey workers are competitive statewide1.
  • Pathways include Honolulu CC’s Electrical Installation program and IBEW 1186 apprenticeship placements.

HVAC/R Technician

  • Hotels, hospitals, high-rise buildings, and data rooms need HVAC techs for chiller, split, and VRF systems. EPA 608 is required to work with refrigerants4. Hawaii pay for HVAC mechanics is strong relative to national figures1.
  • Honolulu CC’s Refrigeration and Air Conditioning program aligns with industry needs in the islands’ humid climate.

Welder

  • Shipyard work at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, structural steel, and fabrication shops drive demand. Many employers prefer AWS structural codes for process qualification.
  • Honolulu CC’s Welding Technology provides common processes used in marine and structural applications.

Plumber

  • High-rise, hotel renovation, and retrofit projects keep plumbers busy. Licensed journey workers and contractor RMEs are in demand, and wages are typically well above the national median in Hawaii1.
  • Apprenticeships coordinated with unions and UH programs are the standard route.

Explore trades in more detail:

  • Electrician career path and training: Electrician
  • Heating, cooling, and refrigeration: HVAC
  • Metal joining and fabrication: Welding
  • Water, waste, and gas systems: Plumbing

O*NET also projects steady outlooks for these roles as construction and maintenance needs continue5.

Licensing Requirements in Hawaii

Electricians and Plumbers

  • Regulator: DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers6.
  • Journey Worker Electrician (EJ) and Journey Worker Plumber (PJ):
    • Complete a state-registered apprenticeship with required on-the-job hours and classroom instruction.
    • Submit application to the Board, verify experience and training, and pass the licensure exam.
    • Maintain license and meet any continuing education the Board requires.
  • Supervising or independent contracting:
    • If you will contract directly with clients, you must hold or work under a licensed contractor. See the Contractors License Board for classifications, experience, and Responsible Managing Employee (RME) requirements7.

HVAC/R Technicians

  • No standalone state HVAC technician license to work as an employee. Common requirements:
    • EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants4.
    • Employer or union apprenticeship training and proof of OJT.
  • To contract independently for HVAC, you need a Hawaii C-52 Ventilating and Air Conditioning contractor license through the Contractors License Board, including experience, exam, and financial responsibility7.

Welders

  • No state welder license to be employed as a welder.
  • Employers and projects often require AWS structural or pressure certifications; marine work may require additional site or federal clearances.
  • Welding contractors must hold the appropriate Hawaii contractor classification if bidding work directly7.

Cosmetology and Barbering

  • Regulator: DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology3.
  • Complete a board-approved program, meet required training hours, pass written and practical exams, then apply for licensure.
  • Maintain license renewal as required by the Board.

Always review the latest forms, fees, and experience requirements on the DCCA website before you apply673.

Online & Flexible Options

  • Honolulu CC and Kapiʻolani CC offer hybrid and evening courses in many programs. General education and some technical theory can be online, with labs on campus.
  • Hawaiʻi Medical College runs hybrid schedules for several healthcare programs, useful for working adults2.
  • PCATT delivers short evening and weekend bootcamps for IT certifications, which pair well with facilities or low-voltage roles.
  • For HVAC, many technicians complete EPA 608 self-study modules online before testing4.
  • Apprenticeships often blend paid on-the-job training with evening related instruction, which helps career changers keep income while upskilling6.

Next Steps

If you plan to work independently, review Hawaii contractor licensing classifications early7. If you plan to work as an employee, focus on accredited training, certifications, and an apprenticeship that matches your goal trade.

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Hawaii statewide data, May 2023. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  2. U.S. Department of Education, College Navigator, institutional accreditation and program listings for the schools named. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  3. Hawaii DCCA, Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, licensing requirements and exams. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

  4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 608 Technician Certification. ↩ ↩ ↩

  5. O*NET OnLine, occupation outlook profiles for Electricians, HVAC Mechanics, Plumbers, and Welders. ↩

  6. Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers. ↩ ↩ ↩

  7. Hawaii DCCA, Contractors License Board, license classifications and RME requirements. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩

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Brad Fishbein Licensed Mold Assessor

Meet the author: Brad Fishbein is a Florida Licensed Mold Assessor and council-certified Microbial Investigator. He’s the founder of TradeCareerPath.com and has completed over 5,000 mold inspections since 2009. Brad now helps homeowners and tradespeople make smart decisions about mold, licensing, and skilled career paths.