Best Trade Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii (2026 Guide)

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.

Compare Trade Schools Near Honolulu, Hawaii

Cost, Earnings, and Program Length in Honolulu

Among the Urban Honolulu, HI area’s most-employed trades (BLS QCEW 2024), median annual pay ranges from $45,260 to $74,380 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025); the chart above compares the five with the largest local workforces. Published tuition across the trade-relevant schools serving Honolulu ranges from $3,174 to $13,151 per year (IPEDS and College Scorecard); schools that do not publish a rate are marked “Contact school for pricing” in the table below. Typical culinary worker training runs 1-2 years (culinary school or apprenticeship) (TradeCareerPath program data).

Trade Schools in Nearby Cities

• Kaneohe, Hawaii - 8 miles
• Kailua, Hawaii - 9 miles
• Pearl City, Hawaii - 10 miles
• Waipahu, Hawaii - 12 miles

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 refrigerants². 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 continue³.

Median Salaries for Popular Trades

Job growth uses state projections when available and national projections (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034) when state data is unavailable. Median pay for each trade is shown in the comparison table above.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections (2024-2034). Projected U.S. change shown for each trade.

Licensing Requirements in Hawaii

Electricians and Plumbers

• Regulator: DCCA Professional & Vocational Licensing, Board of Electricians and Plumbers⁴.
• 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) requirements⁵.

HVAC/R Technicians

• No standalone state HVAC technician license to work as an employee. Common requirements:
  • EPA Section 608 certification to handle refrigerants².
  • 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 responsibility⁵.

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 directly⁵.

Cosmetology and Barbering

• Regulator: DCCA Board of Barbering and Cosmetology⁶.
• 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 apply⁴⁵⁶.

Online & Flexible Options

• Honolulu CC and Kapi�“olani CC offer hybrid and evening courses in many programs. General education and some technical theory can be online, with labs on campus.
• Hawai�“i Medical College runs hybrid schedules for several healthcare programs, useful for working adults⁷.
• 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 testing².
• Apprenticeships often blend paid on-the-job training with evening related instruction, which helps career changers keep income while upskilling⁴.

Next Steps

• Compare programs and admissions timelines on our state hub
• Explore all skilled trades and pick a path
• New to trade careers? Start here

If you plan to work independently, review Hawaii contractor licensing classifications early⁵. If you plan to work as an employee, focus on accredited training, certifications, and an apprenticeship that matches your goal trade.

Outcome figures such as graduation, completion, and job placement rates are reported by schools and by federal data sources, reflect prior student cohorts, and are not a prediction or promise of future results. Individual outcomes may vary.