The Best CNA Programs in Hawaii: Your Complete 2026 Guide

Hawaii's healthcare sector is adding an estimated 960 CNA positions each year, driven by a rapidly aging population and growing demand for long-term care. The islands support a mix of community college programs and private training providers, offering flexible schedules that accommodate working adults, island geography, and students seeking evening or weekend cohorts.

Most state-approved programs run 150 hours and cost between $2,000 and $3,300, with clinical rotations anchored in nursing homes, hospitals, and home-health agencies across Oahu, Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai. Each island's program landscape differs: Oahu concentrates most training sites in the Honolulu metro and Pearl City corridor, while neighbor islands maintain smaller cohorts with limited start dates.

The job outlook remains strong. Hawaii's median CNA wage of $44,830 exceeds the national figure, yet competition for clinical slots and limited class frequency on smaller islands mean careful timing matters when you apply.

Top CNA Training Programs in Hawaii for 2026

Hawaii's top CNA programs combine state-approved curriculum with hands-on clinical training to prepare you for a growing healthcare field. Our ranking highlights programs that stand out for affordability, flexible schedules, and strong employer connections. Whether you're on Oahu or another island, these schools offer pathways to certification and employment.

How to Earn CNA Certification in Hawaii

Earning your CNA certification in Hawaii is a three-step process: finish a state-approved CNA program, pass a criminal background check, and pass the Prometric Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam. Once you clear these steps, the Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry adds your name, and you can start working in long-term care, hospitals, and home health settings across the islands.

Step 1: Complete a State-Approved CNA Training Program

Hawaii requires 100 total training hours for its CNA Training programs: 30 hours of classroom instruction and 70 hours of hands-on clinical practice. All programs use this same structure, whether you train at a community college, a private provider, or a high school adult education center. Most full-time students finish in four to eight weeks. You must be at least 18 years old to enroll.

Step 2: Pass the Criminal Background Check

Before you can sit for the certification exam, you need to complete a state-mandated background check. The exact process can vary slightly by training provider, but every applicant must submit fingerprints and receive clearance. Plan for this step early: processing times can add a few weeks, and you cannot test until it is complete.

Step 3: Take the Prometric Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam

Hawaii uses the Hawaii Nurse Aide Competency Exam from Prometric, which has two parts: a written (or oral) knowledge test and a skills evaluation. You must register with Prometric and pay the exam fee of $200, plus a $25 application fee to the state, for a total of $225.

Written (or Oral) Knowledge Test

The written exam has 60 multiple-choice questions and allows 90 minutes. If reading is a challenge, you can request the oral version at no extra charge. Both formats cover the same nursing assistant concepts you practiced during training.

Skills Evaluation

A nurse evaluator watches you perform five randomly selected care tasks drawn from a standard set of around 25 possible skills. You must complete each skill correctly and safely. The hands-on nature of Hawaii’s training, 70 clinical hours, prepares you well for this demonstration.

Scoring and Retakes

You need a 70% score on both portions to pass. If you do not pass one part, you can retake only that portion. The written retake costs $50, and the skills retake costs $150. Hawaii allows up to three total attempts within a two-year window after you finish your training. Most candidates pass on the first try with adequate practice.

After You Pass: The Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry

Once you pass the exam, your training program or testing site submits your results, and your name appears on the state registry. Certification is valid for two years. To renew, you must document at least eight hours of paid CNA work and complete 24 hours of continuing education during that two-year period.³ CNAs who hold an active certificate in another state can apply for Hawaii reciprocity with a $25 fee, provided their training meets Hawaii’s standards.

CNA Program Costs in Hawaii: Community College Vs. Private Providers

How much does CNA training actually cost in Hawaii, and is a community college or a private provider the better deal?

The answer depends on more than just the tuition line. Understanding what each pathway charges, and what those charges include, helps you plan a realistic budget before you ever submit an application.

Community College Programs

Hawaii's community colleges are generally the more affordable entry point for CNA training. Because these schools receive public funding, their tuition rates tend to be lower than private alternatives, and residents of Hawaii often qualify for in-state pricing that brings costs down further. That said, tuition alone does not tell the whole story. Check the program-specific pages at schools like Kapiʻolani Community College or Honolulu Community College, where you can find CNA classes in Honolulu, for a full breakdown of fees, because CNA programs sometimes carry lab fees or clinical fees that appear separately from general tuition.

Community colleges also tend to have more flexible payment structures. Many participate in federal financial aid programs, meaning you may be able to file a FAFSA and use Pell Grant funds or subsidized loans to offset costs. If you have never filed a FAFSA before, the financial aid office at your chosen school can walk you through the process at no charge.

Private Training Providers

Private CNA schools and vocational training centers in Hawaii can range considerably in price. Some charge a flat program fee that bundles most materials together, while others list tuition separately from supplies and exam preparation. The higher sticker price sometimes reflects a faster completion timeline or a more flexible schedule, which has real value if you are balancing work or family commitments.

Before enrolling anywhere, ask the admissions team to give you a complete cost summary in writing. A lower headline price can climb once you factor in every required purchase.

The Costs Beyond Tuition

Regardless of which pathway you choose, budget for a handful of additional expenses that most programs require:

• Uniforms and footwear: Clinical scrubs and appropriate shoes are typically required and are rarely included in tuition.
• Textbooks and supplies: Some programs lend materials, but many expect you to purchase your own.
• Certification exam fees: The Hawaii Nurse Aide Registry requires candidates to pass a competency exam, and that exam carries its own fee paid directly to the testing vendor.
• Background check: A criminal background check is standard and usually comes out of pocket.

These extras can add up to a noticeable sum, so contact the admissions office of any program you are seriously considering and ask for a complete cost-of-attendance estimate, not just the tuition figure.

How to Compare Programs on Cost

Once you have gathered full cost estimates from two or three programs, compare them against the time commitment and schedule each requires. A program that costs somewhat more but fits your work schedule may save you lost wages or childcare expenses that a cheaper option would create. The Hawaii Health Care Association and the Hawaii State Department of Health both maintain information about approved training providers, which can help you build your comparison list. For context on how CNA wages in Hawaii compare to program costs over time, you can review state-level nursing assistant wage data before you commit.

Paying for CNA Training: Hawaii Financial Aid Resources

Training costs are real, but they rarely need to come entirely out of your pocket. Hawaii students have access to an unusually wide range of scholarships, grants, and employer programs that can cover anywhere from a portion to all of a CNA program's tuition. Knowing where to look makes the difference between stalling and enrolling.

State and Federal Grant Programs

If you plan to train at a University of Hawaii community college, the Hawaii Promise scholarship is worth filing your FAFSA for immediately. It is a last-dollar award that covers remaining tuition after other aid is applied, and eligibility is need-based. Separately, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program can pay full tuition for qualifying students entering healthcare training. Contact your nearest American Job Center in Hawaii to find out whether you meet income and eligibility requirements.

The Good Jobs Hawaii grant covers full tuition for eligible Hawaii Island residents,² while the Hana Career Pathways initiative, backed by about $2 million in funding,³ supports workforce training across the state. Native Hawaiian students whose household income falls at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level may also qualify for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Career Pathways Program.²

Scholarships from Local Organizations

Several Hawaii-based organizations offer direct scholarship support for CNA students:

• HCCN Mary Huebner CNA Scholarship: Awards up to $1,100 through the Hawaii Community Caregiver Network.
• Hawaii Healthcare Education and Research Foundation Scholarship: Offered $500 awards in 2025; check for updated cycles.⁴
• Hana Lima Scholarship Program: Award amounts vary; check the current application cycle for details.²
• OHA Career Pathways Program: For Native Hawaiian students meeting income guidelines.²

If you train at UH Maui College, the CNA-to-LPN Bridge Program has dedicated student aid funds of about $200,000 set aside through its grant funding.⁵

Employer Tuition Assistance

Many Hawaii care facilities will pay for your training in exchange for a commitment to work with them after certification. Options currently active in 2026 include:

• Kahala Nui: Covers full tuition for selected candidates.
• Ohana Care Maui: Offers free training.
• Ohana Pacific Health: Provides up to $3,500 in tuition assistance.
• ALTRES: Reimburses up to $1,000 after program completion.
• HMC Home Care: Covers 50 percent of tuition costs.²

Employer sponsorships often come with a service agreement, typically six to twelve months of employment after certification, so read the terms before signing.

Loan Forgiveness for Rural and Underserved Areas

If you plan to advance your career beyond CNA, it is worth knowing early that Hawaii participates in federal programs offering loan forgiveness to healthcare workers who serve in designated Health Professional Shortage Areas. Rural parts of the Big Island, Molokai, and Lanai frequently qualify. These programs are designed for later stages of a healthcare career, but choosing your training location with geography in mind can set you up for those benefits down the road.

For a personalized look at what you qualify for, cnaclasses.org can help match you with programs that fit your budget and location.

Questions to Ask Yourself

How Do CNA Salaries Compare Across Hawaii?

CNA salaries in Hawaii depend heavily on where you work. In urban Honolulu, CNAs earn a median of about $45,365 per year, while those in Hilo on the Big Island typically make $36,200. Experience, facility type, and shift differentials can push earnings higher or lower across the islands.

Finding CNA Classes Near You: Oahu, Maui, Big Island & More

Hawaii's unique island geography creates distinct training landscapes across the state. While Oahu concentrates most of the state's CNA programs in and around Honolulu, each major island offers at least one accredited pathway to certification. Understanding the practical realities of training location can help you choose a program that fits your commute, schedule, and career plans.

Oahu: The Widest Selection and Most Flexible Schedules

Oahu hosts the majority of Hawaii's CNA training capacity, with programs clustered along the H-1 corridor from Kapolei through Honolulu to Windward Oahu. Kapiolani Community College and Leeward Community College both offer well-established programs with evening and weekend options, making them popular choices for working students. Private providers in Honolulu, including those at skilled-nursing facilities and career academies, typically run shorter intensive cohorts that can be completed in four to six weeks. If you live in urban Honolulu, expect a manageable commute to most programs. Students on the Windward side or North Shore may face longer drives, but the island's compact size keeps most facilities within an hour of home.

Neighbor Islands: Fewer Choices, Stronger Community Ties

Maui, the Big Island, and Kauai each support one or two primary CNA training sites, often anchored by a University of Hawaii community college campus. On Maui, programs based in Kahului serve students from across the Valley Isle, though residents of Hana or West Maui should plan for significant travel time. The Big Island's programs in Hilo and Kona offer geographic balance, reducing the need for inter-district commutes. Kauai's single community-college program in Lihue draws students from the entire island, with some learners traveling from Hanalei or Waimea.

Neighbor-island programs often cultivate close relationships with local healthcare employers, streamlining clinical placements and landing your first CNA job. Class sizes tend to be smaller, and instructors frequently know students by name. The trade-off is reduced schedule flexibility: if a cohort fills or conflicts with your work calendar, you may wait several months for the next session.

Online Theory, Island-Based Clinicals

A handful of Hawaii programs now offer hybrid formats, delivering lecture content online while requiring in-person skills labs and clinical rotations at island-based facilities. This model can reduce commute burdens for neighbor-island residents, though you will still need reliable transportation to reach clinical sites multiple days per week. Confirm that any hybrid program you consider holds current Hawaii Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program approval to ensure your hours count toward state certification.

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