According to the 2020 U.S. Census, 362,945, or 53%, of Hawaiians were residing on the continent. NHSS supports Hawaiians in the diaspora who wish to come home for college. The Diaspora Bridge Program is targeted towards Hawaiian students who have been accepted to UH Mānoa, and are starting their academic transition to Hawaiʻi. The bridge program connects Hawaiian students to learn more about Hawaiian culture, programs, resources, and opportunities offered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and the greater community.
UHM offers a Non-Resident Tuition Exemption that provides
in-state tuition for Native Hawaiian students.
https://go.hawaii.edu/eNX
How It Works
Each year in August, diasporic students are invited to participate in our 3-day bridge program which includes:
- Day 1 – Huaka’i around the island to help familiarize students with O’ahu
- Day 2 – Students attend the Hawaiian New Student Orientation and then gather for Dinner
- Day 3 – ʻĀina Work Day in the community
Students can apply to participate beginning in June. More details to come.
Questions? Email us at nhsshelp@hawaii.edu
Native Hawaiian Diaspora Association
The Native Hawaiian Diaspora Association is an independent, haumāna-organized space established at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We welcome Kānaka ʻŌiwi from all walks of life, who have grown up or spent significant time away from Ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina. The organization is an inclusive and safe space for Native Hawaiian Diaspora who are seeking cultural reconnection, healing, and community. Our goal is to center our experiences and empower one another in exploring Kānaka ʻŌiwi identities, build pilina, and understand our kuleana to our lāhui and kulāiwi.
To learn more about the Diaspora association email kahilo@hawaii.edu.