Orientation FAQ's

Orientation is the official introduction to the student experience at HPU. You will have a chance to explore campus, get more familiar with degree programs, hear about university services, and make new friends. Orientation is educational and fun, and is required for all new undergraduate full-time students (first-year, transfer, and visiting/international).

Yes. All new, undergraduate full-time first year, transfer, and visiting/exchange students are required to attend in the fall or spring, depending on when you are admitted. Studies have shown that one of the best ways to ensure college success is to get involved and connected with the University community as quickly as possible. HPU's upcoming New Student Orientation is the best place to learn more about the many curricular and co-curricular opportunities, programs, and services that are available to you!

New graduate students will be contacted about their graduate student orientation program. 

Registration is required and students are highly encouraged to register prior to arriving on campus in January. Students can register starting December 1, 2024.

MyHPU is the internal hub/portal for communication and information from the university. You need access to your MyHPU account to access essential functions, like checking grades, registering for classes, etc. You should have already received your MyHPU username via email and prompted to create a password. If you not, click HERE to confirm your identity if you know the email address associated with your application.

Across the U.S., it has become commonplace for family members to go with their students when they are moving to or beginning at university, as they have lots of questions and want to see the campus (and might struggle a little bit with letting go).

Fall Orientation: While it is optional to attend, family members/guests may register for the parent and family orientation program. Family member/guest registration will open July 5.

Spring Orientation: There is not a specific parent or family program offered during Spring Orientation. However, university offices will be open and available to answer questions.

Parent/ Family Members can use the link included with the student registration form to sign up and pay for family members to attend. Costs is per person.  Family member can also register here.

Orientation is all about meeting students, faculty and staff; familiarizing yourself with the University environment; and learning about HPU's academic and co-curricular services and resources. You'll learn a bit about the university and the transition experience, tour the campus and hear from various staff about how they can support students. You'll have a chance to break into smaller groups to pick topics that matter to you, as well as get a quick overview of some of our key offices. 

Orientation is all about relationships - with staff, with faculty, and with peers. We hope you utilize this time to make friends and build lasting connections that will help you feel a true part of the University community.

All new, full-time undergraduate students are charged a one-time new student orientation fee of $200. This amount is charged to students' accounts in July for fall and December for spring. New first-year, transfer and visiting/exchange students are required to attend new student orientation. Students will receive a lanyard, name badge, lei, and new student t-shirt during orientation. This fee also includes some meals, transportation, and participation in various required and optional activities throughout the event.

New students and guests are welcome to drive and park at Aloha Tower Marketplace for orientation. HPU will provide parking validation in Piers 5&6 parking lot during the orientation program dates. Validations will be available at check-in or the Welcome Center. ATM Parking Map

Yes! Not only are you able to visit offices in the days leading up to Orientation, but we also make sure there is time at the end of Orientation to handle university business, like scheduling an academic advising appointment, checking in with certain offices if you have questions, getting your student ID, etc.

As indicated in other areas of the FAQs, Orientation is required, however we've intentionally left the weekend free to make sure you have time to do what you need to feel prepared for classes that begin that next Monday.

We know your family is probably excited about the chance to travel to Hawaii and explore. However, we want you to think about the fact that the timeframe for developing relationships and finding friends is relatively short in the beginning. It might sound amazing to head to the North Shore with the family, but you will likely find a new friend during Orientation, and you won't want to miss out on learning more about them while grabbing lunch on Fort Street together. Or perhaps your new roommate also loves to surf and you want to hit up Diamond Head on Saturday together. Make sure you are physically, mentally and emotionally present and invested in your Orientation experience. It's a great chance to branch out on your own.

First, go to the New Student Checklist page for a list of things you'll want to accomplish between now and when you arrive for Orientation. Second, we also encourage you to visit our Traveling to HPU page. If you are an International Student, make sure you check out the Office of International Students and Scholars page, as they have some vital details that are unique to international students.

Students traveling to HPU from outside Hawai'i should fly into Honolulu International Airport (HNL).

Each year, HPU negotiates a reasonable rate for students, staff and faculty to use VIP Transportation from the airport to Waikiki, the Downtown campus or the Hawaii Loa campus. Please visit our Traveling to HPU page for more information.

When you arrive will depend on your housing arrangements.

• New Students Living On-Campus: Please email the Housing and Residence Life Office for recommended arrival information. housing@hpu.edu 
• New Students Living Off-Campus: This is up to you and depends on the terms of your rental agreement. New students planning to live off-campus should plan accordingly and allow enough time to get settled in prior the start of new student orientation. Click on the following links for more information about hotel discounts and off-campus housing resources.
• International Students (Living On- or Off-Campus): Email iss@hpu.edu for more information or visit the Office of International Students and Scholars website.

There are a few options available to you. The best option is to first take a look at the Housing and Residence Life pages. There is information for you if you want to try and live on-campus (rooms, rates, photos, living environment, etc.) and there is also information for those of you planning to live off-campus (links for searching, safe practices, ads for open apartments).

Unless you have a confirmed on-campus housing agreement with Housing and Residence Life for the academic year, HPU does not provide any type of housing during orientation. Students should plan to organize their housing prior to arriving, or look at hostel options for short term while they search. Parents and families visiting the island have a wide variety of needs and length of stay, so we encourage research on the wide range of hotel options available in Honolulu.

Great question! One of the difficult things about living in paradise is the price tag. The best bet for organizing reasonably priced accommodation is to get it sorted as early as possible. Many locations in Honolulu do offer discounts for military as well. Visit the Traveling to HPU page for information on some local hotels that provide discounts to HPU students and families.