{"id":235430,"date":"2026-06-02T14:11:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:11:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=235430"},"modified":"2026-06-02T14:32:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:32:06","slug":"hoapili-teacher-pathways-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/06\/02\/hoapili-teacher-pathways-program\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> expanding tuition-free courses towards elementary teacher education"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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(Photo credit: Leeward Community College)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> is extending UH<\/abbr> Maui College\u2019s successful Hoapili Teacher Pathways program<\/a> statewide across all 10 UH<\/abbr> campuses to combat the critical teacher shortage across the islands. This systemwide collaboration offers a clear and supported pathway for Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> residents to earn their elementary education teacher license, including tuition-free courses.<\/p>\n

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Recent UH<\/abbr> Maui College graduate in Hoapili Teacher Pathways Program Pumehana Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Hoapili program, launched in 2023, has already demonstrated its effectiveness by helping more than 60 students earn their teacher licensure and education fields. The initiative has served more than 360 students, attracting non-traditional students such as long-term substitute teachers, educational assistants, emergency hires, and parents in both Hawaiian and English educational contexts. UH<\/abbr> is scaling this proven model statewide to “grow our own” kumu (teachers) on every island.<\/p>\n

A dedicated program coordinator and campus counselors work one-on-one with students to build a tailored academic plan. To learn more or apply, visit UH<\/abbr>Kumu.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Eliminating financial barriers<\/h2>\n

Guided by the mission, “I ulu n\u014d ka l\u0101l\u0101 i ke kumu”—Our keiki grow because of their kumu,” the pathways program is designed to eliminate common financial and geographical barriers. Core courses toward elementary education teacher licensure are offered tuition-free and delivered entirely online, with classes intentionally scheduled during after-work hours to accommodate full-time working adults balancing busy lifestyles.<\/p>\n

Students can enroll full- or part-time, and there are no prerequisites required to join. The program also provides free substitute teaching certifications and free para-educator testing (ParaPro Assessment) for those seeking immediate entry into the workforce. Participants can start at any UH<\/abbr> Community College and seamlessly transfer to a four-year UH<\/abbr> campus”—including UH<\/abbr> Hilo, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa and UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span>—to complete a bachelor of education degree in elementary education.<\/p>\n

“The Hoapili program began as a way to provide a bridge to teacher licensure for individuals who are passionate about education but unable to attend college in the traditional sense,” said Lui Hokoana, interim vice president for the UH<\/abbr> Community Colleges. “Expanding this proven, Maui-born solution to all 10 campuses allows us to scale our efforts and build a robust, sustainable pipeline of local teachers for schools across the state.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Working adults can now earn their teacher license from UH<\/abbr> with free core classes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":235439,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[204,61,62,63,64,65,933,71,9,60,947,59,66,603],"class_list":["post-235430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-education","tag-hawaii-community-college","tag-honolulu-community-college","tag-kapiolani-community-college","tag-kauai-community-college","tag-leeward-community-college","tag-teacher-education","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-uh-manoa","tag-maui-college","tag-uh-system","tag-uh-west-oahu","tag-windward-community-college","tag-workforce-development","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t