Purposes of the Program

The Hawaii-Okinawa High School Student Exchange Program was established by the State Legislature in partnership with the Department of Education (DOE) and the Hawaii United Okinawa (HUOA) in 1990 to:

  1. Provide student with the opportunity to learn first-hand about the diverse
    cultures of other countries of the world.
  2. Foster and sustain good relationships and cultural exchanges between foreign
    countries and the State of Hawaii.
  3. Foster global awareness and a sense of “internationalism” in today’s youth.

HOSEP Phase I

HOSEP Phase I

We are currently seeking families who would like to host one or two Okinawan students from 2/06/27 to 2/21/27. As host families, you can learn first-hand about the diverse culture of Okinawa, and at the same time, share your wealth of knowledge and experience of Hawaii’s diverse culture as well.
Here are the expectations of host families:

  • The host family must have a student who is attending a public or private high school on the island of O’ahu.
  • Attend Orientation Meeting for Host families on Tuesday, January 19, 2027
  • Attend Orientation/Welcome Get together on February 6, 2027.
  • Host Student(s) from February 6 to 21, 2027
  • Consider yourselves as “family” for your Okinawan student.
  • Okinawan student will attend school with Hawaii host student (5 days).
  • Attend Aloha Party at Hawaii Okinawa Center on Thursday, February 18, 2027.
  • Bid them Aloha on (date to be announced) as they depart for their homeland on Sunday, February 21, 2027.
  • Share your family’s Aloha and enjoy your Okinawan student!
  • For more information about the HOSEP, including the opportunity to go to Okinawa in June, please contact HUOA at info@huoa.org.

    Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be immersed in the Okinawan culture, and gain valuable experiences and memories as you foster a good relationship with your exchange student from Okinawa!

    Phase II of our Student Exchange Program will be our Hawaii students going to Okinawa in June.

    Just the same as the Hawaii United Okinawa Association does when the Okinawan
    students are with us in Hawaii, the Okinawa Prefectural Board of Education will arrange
    for host families and cover the expenses for field trips, welcome gathering, sayonara
    party, etc. Students will be responsible for their own plane fare to Okinawa.