Hawaiian Culinary Degree Directory

Hawaii’s geographic position in the South Pacific and its importance as a world-wide travel destination have resulted in the state becoming a major hub of international travel and tourism. Millions of visitors are welcomed to the islands each year with gracious hospitality and fine cuisine. It’s no wonder that schools in Hawaii have led the way in integrating the science and management of culinary arts, hospitality, tourism, and transportation into a super-industry called Travel Industry Management (TIM).

Food Service Industry and Programs

Across the nation, the food service industry umbrella typically includes the culinary arts, hospitality, and nutrition science. In Hawaii, the state’s strong reliance on the service and tourism industry means that hospitality and culinary training programs dominate. The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) hosts the state’s only accredited food and nutrition program in which students can earn a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate in the food sciences and nutrition.

Associates and Certificates

Culinary arts programs are located at a handful of community colleges throughout the state and typically offer multiple degree or certificate options in a range of specialties. The Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Kapiolani Community College in Honolulu offers an Associate in Science degree, a Certificate of Achievement, and a Certificate of Completion. These programs take between two and four semesters each, and give students the opportunity to specialize in culinary arts, patisserie, dining room service, or school food service.

Travel Industry Management

For foodies who prefer the office to the kitchen, a degree in Travel Industry Management may be the answer. TIM programs give students a broad foundational understanding of food service, hospitality management, and transportation management. Graduates are prepared for management positions at restaurants, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and airline companies, all of which have a significant presence in Hawaii.

At Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu, students can earn a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Travel Industry Management. Courses cover hospitality management, accounting, human resources, information technology, food and beverage service, food purchasing, and transportation management. Graduates will be eligible for entry-level management positions in the industry.

To advance an existing career (or to start out at a higher level) in the hospitality trade, students can earn an additional two-year Master of Science degree in Travel Industry Management at UHM. The Master’s programs here focus on specific aspects hotel and resort management or tourism and transportation management. Both TIM programs at UHM and Kapiolani Community College are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA).

Internships Galore

Besides a great education at any of these schools, students have numerous internship opportunities to get their foot in the door. Hundreds of local restaurants, hotels, and resorts offer ongoing internship opportunities for students. This is a great way for students to make professional connections and learn the trade.

Graduates are likely to find a job they love in any of the thousands of restaurants, resorts, schools, and hotels in Hawaii. Typical food industry salaries in Hawaii range according to position, city, and experience. A Registered Dietitian earns an average annual salary of $71,230; a first-line supervisor will earn about $44,200; a head chef will earn approximately $78,640 and a restaurant cook earns an average salary of around $35,900.

2019 wage data sourced from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Current wage conditions in your area may vary.

On-Campus Schools

Hawai’i Community College
200 West Kawili Street
Hilo, HI 96720-4091
(808) 974-7611
hawaii.hawaii.edu
Food Service
Hotel Operations

Hawaii Pacific University
1164 Bishop Street
Honolulu, Hawai’i 96813
(808) 544-0200
hpu.edu
Travel Industry Management

Kapiolani Community College
4303 Diamond Head Road-Suite 114
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 734-9480
www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu
Culinary Arts
Hospitality Management
ACF & ACPHA Accredited

Kaua’i Community College
3-1901 Kaumualii Highway
Lihue, Hi 96766
(808) 245-8311
http://www.kauaicc.hawaii.edu/
Culinary Arts and Management

Leeward Community College
96-045 Ala Ike
Pearl City, HI 96782
(808) 455-0687
www.leeward.hawaii.edu
Culinary Arts
ACF Accredited

Maui Community College
310 Kaahamanu Avenue
Kahului, HI 96732
(808) 984-3225
maui.hawaii.edu
Culinary Arts
ACF Accredited

University of Hawaii-Manoa
Ag Sciences III, 1955 East West Road, Room 3141
Honolulu, HI 96822-2218
(808) 956-3847
www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hnfas/degrees/undergrad/dietetics.html
Nutrition and Food Science
Travel Industry Management
ADA & ACPHA Accredited

Online Programs

American Culinary Federation
The ACF has over 200 chapters in the United States; its main campus is located in Florida
180 Center Place Way
St. Augustine, FL
904-824-4468
www.acfchefs.org
Continuing Education
Chef Certification
Chef Educators
Food Safety Certification
ACFEFAC Accredited

The Art Institutes of Pittsburgh – Online Division
The Ai has over 40 campus locations across North America, plus this online campus
420 Blvd of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA
412-291-6200
www.aionline.edu
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Culinary Management
MSCHE Accredited

Ashworth College
430 Technology Pkwy
Norcross, GA
770-729-9400
www.ashworthcolleg.edu
Professional Gourmet Cooking and Catering
Hotel and Restaurant Management
DETC Accredited

DeVry University
This University has 90 campus locations in 26 different states
One Tower Lane
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
1-866-338-7934
www.devry.edu
Hospitality Management
HLC Accredited

eCornell
eCornell is an online program and subsidiary of Cornell University, located in New York
950 Danby Road, Suite 150
Ithaca, NY
607-330-3200
www.ecornell.com
Leadership and Strategic Management
Project Leadership and Systems Design
Financial Management
Management Essentials
Human Resources Management
Hospitality and Foodservice Management
Certificate in plant-based nutrition
HRCI and PMI Approved

Johnson and Wales University
JWU has campuses in Providence, Charlotte, and North Miami; its largest campus is in Rhode Island
8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, RI 02903
1-800-DIAL-JWU
www.jwu.edu
Baking & Pastry Arts and Food Service Management
Culinary Arts and Food Service Management
NEASC Accredited

New England Culinary Institute
NECI has two campuses in Vermont; its main campus is in Montpelier
56 College Street
Montpelier, VT 05602
877-223-6324
www.neci.edu
Hospitality and Restaurant Management
ACCSC Accredited

Penn Foster Career School
925 Oak Street
Scranton, PA 18515
570-343-9635
www.pennfoster.edu
Hotel and Restaurant Management
Catering
DETC & CHEA Accredited

Sullivan University
SU has three campuses in Louisville, Lexington and Fort Knox. The main campus for its Global e-Learning program is located in Louisville
2100 Gardiner Lane
Louisville, Kentucky 40205
502-413-8830
1-866-755-7887
www.sullivan.edu
Beverage Management
CCSACS & ACF Accredited

University of Phoenix
This University has campuses in over 40 states, and two locations in Canada
4602 East Elwood Street
Phoenix, AZ
480-968-0587
www.phoenix.edu
Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
HLC Accredited