Hawaii — The Aloha State
Ohana Care Maui offers completely free CNA training and covers your Prometric exam fees. Kapi'olani Community College starts under $600. Hawaii pays $43,360/year average — but the real story is that this career can be your launchpad to a nursing career in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
Being a CNA in Hawaii is unlike anywhere else in the country. You're caring for patients in a place where the culture of mālama — to care for and protect — is deeply embedded in daily life. Healthcare demand across the islands is strong and growing, with an aging population, a large long-term care sector, and a consistent need for direct care workers on every island from Oahu to Kauai. The path to CNA certification in Hawaii is accessible, and Ohana Care Maui's free program makes it possible with zero upfront cost.
Programs by island
Hawaii requires a minimum of 100 training hours. Programs are available on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island (Hawaii County), and Kauai. Kapi'olani Community College requires 12 college credits or a vocational certificate as a prerequisite — unique to Hawaii. Most other programs require only a high school diploma or GED.
Most programs, most jobs. Kapi'olani CC (~$553), American Red Cross ($1,250), CareGiver Training School ($800), Healthcare Training Career Consultants, Professional Healthcare Educators, Leeward CC, Windward CC.
Programs from ~$553Ohana Care Maui — FREE training + exam fee covered. Maui Adult Education Program. UH Maui College CNA-to-LPN bridge available for working CNAs. Fewer programs but strong long-term care demand.
Ohana Care Maui: FREEHawaii Community College (Hilo). American Red Cross Big Island sites. Lower COL than Oahu. Hilo is primary healthcare hub with steady nursing home and home health demand. Lower CNA wages but lower rent.
Programs ~$800–$1,500Kauai Community College. American Red Cross Kauai site. Smaller island, fewer programs, steady demand. ZipRecruiter data shows Kalaheo (Kauai) CNA wages among the higher island averages. Less competition for jobs.
Programs ~$800–$1,500| Program | Island | Cost (approx.) | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohana Care Maui | Maui | FREE + exam fees covered | Varies | Work commitment required after certification |
| Kapi'olani Community College (KCC) | Oahu | ~$553 (credit course) | 150 hours | Requires 12 college credits or vocational cert as prereq |
| CareGiver Training School Corp | Oahu (Honolulu) | ~$800 (uniform + supplies included) | 104 hours | Day, evening, and weekend options — 13 days or 4 weeks |
| American Red Cross Hawaii | Oahu, Big Island, Maui, Kauai | ~$1,250 (scholarships available) | 130 hours | Multi-island, job fairs for graduates, well-known name |
| University of Hawaii Community Colleges | All major islands | ~$800–$1,400 | 100–150 hours | Windward CC, Leeward CC, Hawaii CC, Kauai CC |
| Employer-Sponsored Programs | All islands | FREE (federal requirement) | Varies | Long-term care facilities — free training + employment |
Ohana Care Maui provides completely free CNA training and covers the Prometric exam fee — meaning you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket. A work commitment is required after certification, which is standard for employer-sponsored programs. If you're on Maui or willing to be on Maui, this is your first call before paying for any program. The name says it all — ohana means family. They want to bring you in and train you as one of their own.
Kapi'olani Community College's CNA program has an additional prerequisite that most other programs don't: you must have completed at least 12 credits of college-level coursework with a 2.0+ GPA, or hold a vocational certificate. If you're a recent high school graduate without college credits, you'll either need to take a few community college classes first, attend an information session to clarify options, or choose a different program without this requirement (CareGiver Training School, Red Cross, or employer-sponsored). Don't let this catch you off guard — check with KCC directly before applying.
2026 salary data
Hawaii CNA wages average $43,360/year ($20.85/hr) according to ZipRecruiter April 2026 data — higher than many states on paper. The honest reality: Hawaii's cost of living is the highest in the US, and after rent, purchasing power is below the mainland average. The real financial play in Hawaii is using CNA as a stepping stone to LPN or RN wages, where the math improves significantly.
| Island / City | Avg Hourly | Avg Annual | Real-World Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu (Oahu) | $25–$27/hr | ~$52,000–$56,160 | Highest wages, highest COL — rent $1,800–$2,200/mo for 1BR |
| Waimea (Oahu) | ~$26–$29/hr | ~$54,080–$60,320 | ZipRecruiter shows this area 12.3% above state average |
| Maui | ~$21–$25/hr | ~$43,680–$52,000 | ZipRecruiter shows Maui above statewide average; Ohana Care hire = free training |
| Hilo (Big Island) | ~$19–$23/hr | ~$39,520–$47,840 | Lower wages, lower rent ($1,200–$1,500/mo) — better purchasing power |
| Kona (Big Island) | ~$20–$24/hr | ~$41,600–$49,920 | Tourism economy, higher demand in resort senior living |
| Kauai (Kapaa / Lihue) | ~$21–$25/hr | ~$43,680–$52,000 | ZipRecruiter Kalaheo shows above-average wages; less competition |
| Travel CNA Contracts (Oahu) | $30–$48/hr | ~$62,400–$99,840 | Contract rates — ZipRecruiter Kapaa $48.42/hr likely reflects travel CNA rates |
Sources: ZipRecruiter (April 2026), CNAClasses.com Hawaii Salary Guide, Research.com (2026). After Hawaii's highest-in-US rent, $43,360 has the purchasing power of ~$23,400 on the mainland. LPN and RN advancement significantly improves the Hawaii financial picture.
The honest COL conversation
This is important and most CNA sites won't tell you. Here's the truth about CNA wages in Hawaii, and what to do about it.
Hawaii's average CNA salary of $43,360/year sounds solid. But median 1-bedroom rent in Honolulu runs $1,800–$2,200/month. After rent alone, you have $700–$1,300/month for everything else. On the Big Island (Hilo), rent drops to $1,200–$1,500/month, giving you more breathing room. At $43,360/year, Hawaii CNA pay has roughly the same purchasing power as $23,400 on the mainland — below the national CNA average of $35,760.
Landing your first job
Financial aid & free options
Your next step
In Hawaii, advancing beyond CNA is the key to financial stability. The UH Maui CNA-to-LPN bridge is one of the best opportunities in the state — designed specifically for working CNAs who want to advance without starting over. Hawaii RN salaries consistently rank among the highest in the country.
100–150 hours. Prometric exam. Fieldprint Hawaii background check. OHCA registry. 4–12 weeks. Ohana Care Maui = free.
UH Maui College CNA-to-LPN bridge — designed for working CNAs. Credits CNA training. ~12 months. Hawaii LPN median: $61,000+/year. The math improves significantly here.
UH Manoa, KCC, Leeward CC, Hawaii CC offer ADN and BSN programs. Hawaii RN median: $107,000+/year — among the highest in the nation. The financial picture transforms completely.
Think of Hawaii CNA certification not as the destination but as the door. Get certified — ideally through Ohana Care Maui's free program or KCC's $553 option. Work as a CNA while building hours and hospital relationships. Immediately apply to UH Maui's CNA-to-LPN bridge. LPN salary in Hawaii: $61,000+/year. Then RN: $107,000+/year. At RN wages, Hawaii's cost of living is very manageable. The CNA is how you get your foot in the door of one of the best healthcare career environments in the country.
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