Unique Among Its Peers
ʻIolani's Residential Life Program continues to be a unique and enriching experience, embodying the island culture of ʻohana. Students in the program learn to live together as a family, embracing the One Team spirit while balancing study, play, and rest.
The program fosters deep cultural understanding and offers students the opportunity to engage in a world-class education as part of a globally recognized community.
A Global Village
Our boarding program attracts students from around the world, creating a vibrant melting pot of cultures. Recent students have represented countries including:
- Canada
- China
- England
- France
- Hong Kong
- Ivory Coast
- Japan
- Korea
- Mexico
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Ukraine
- United States (including four major Hawaiian islands)
- Uzbekistan
- Vietnam
A Home Away From Home
Built on the spirit of aloha and our One Team philosophy, ʻIolani has more than 150 years of history embracing students from around the world. ʻIolani was iriginally founded by King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma as a boarding school from 1863 through 1959. The school's most famous alumnus, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, was a boarding student who graduated in 1882. ʻIolani's boarding program was re-established in 2018 as part of a strategic planning process that sought to "provide all students with meaningful, sustainable, and reciprocal global relationships that stimulate the exchange of ideas, foster a deeper cultural awareness and build students' desire to improve the world around them." ʻIolani's reputation as a top boarding school has grown significantly, with niche.com ranking it among the top 40 boarding schools in the United States.
Supporting Extraordinary Experiences
Outside of academics, students immerse themselves in activities that bring them closer to each other and to local culture. These experiences may include island excursions, visits to local restaurants, and cultural events. By supporting our Residential Life Program, you're investing in a diverse, globally-minded community of future leaders. Your contribution helps maintain our world-leading programs, supports scholarships and financial aid, and enables us to offer a relationship-based education with small class sizes. As we approach our fifth annual giving day, we invite you to be part of this transformative experience. Your gift to the ʻIolani Fund directly impacts every student, every day, helping to create the foundation for an incredible future.