Frequently Asked Questions:

• What is Hawaii Student Housing?
  • Hawaii Student Housing is the leader in student housing for the island of Oahu. We are the only off-campus student housing provider in which all housing buildings are privately owned and are 100% dedicated to students. Unlike nearly all other housing (other than university dorms), we are not a hotel or an apartment complex which rents to non-students. We have tailored all of our staff and the functions within the building to address student’s specific needs.

• How close is the beach to the Ohana Dorm and what is the area like?
  • The Ohana Dorm is only 3 blocks from Waikiki Beach. The Waikiki area is similar to any city environment except it offers a vast variety of restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.

• How can I get in contact with Hawaii Student Housing staff?
  • A member of our Professional Resident Assistant staff is available on property 24/7. The on duty staff member will generally be available at the front desk or if assisting another resident (or attending to another matter) may be elsewhere on the property, in which case, you can reach the on-sight staff member by calling the duty phone. The duty phone number is posted at the front desk. Residents may also call the Leasing Staff or Accountant by dialing our main office at (808) 922-4661 during regular business hours. Monday to Friday.

• What is included in periodic maid service and how often is it done?
  • Hawaii Student Housing offers maid service to its residents, approximately twice per month during the months of September through November and February through April. During the maid service our staff cleans the residents’ bathroom floors, toilet and vacuums the apartment (if the floors are cleared of personal belongings). Trash is also removed and disposed of if placed by the front door. The maids do not do laundry or pick-up or move personal belongings.

• If something breaks in my apartment, what should I do and how do I let you know?
  • Our Full service maintenance staff operates on a work order system. All you need to do is let our 24 hour, front desk staff know about any maintenance issue that you are having and our front desk staff will work with you to fill out a work order. Non-emergency items will usually be responded to within 1 business day and emergency items immediately..

• What sort of items does the maintenance service cover?
  • The maintenance is Full Service. From clogging your sink to fixing your dresser drawers, we can do it! However, we do not replace light bulbs as our property does not provide any students lamps for their unit.

• How do I get around in Hawaii?
  • Most residents use the city Bus, for their transportation needs rather than personal automobiles. Other residents use bicycles or mopeds. For those residents using the bus, our facilities are directly on the bus line. If a student purchases a bike, moped, or automobile, we offer parking to our residents at a below market rate on a space available basis.

• How do I pick my roommate and when will I be informed of who my roommate is?
  • If you are requesting to live in a double, triple or triple loft room at the Ohana Dorm, you may pick your own roommate(s) by making a request through our leasing staff. If you do not have a roommate you would like to live with, our leasing staff can match you with one! Students can obtain our roommate matching form on the website and submit this information to our leasing staff. Based on the information you provide us, our staff will do their best to match you with a roommate with similar interests. Our leasing staff does their best to inform students of who their roommate is through email prior to their move in date.

• How do I meet new people?
  • Unlike almost every other off-campus housing option which rents to student, Hawaii Student Housing leases only to students. Because of this we have one of the only off-campus 100% student communities. Students have the opportunity to meet fellow students through our Student Resident Activities or just hanging out in the lobby, by the pool, or on their floor.. Student Resident Activities are planned each week and vary from on-site events such as BBQ’s, movie nights, holiday games to outside events such as group hiking, beach trips and so much more!

• Is there a meal plan?
  • Since all of the rooms we offer have at least a kitchenette and mini fridge, our residents typically do not need or desire a meal plan and in fact see it as an extra and unnecessary expense. However, those residents who are interested in a meal plan can contact www.ocmp.com for private meal plan information. Residents can sign up for this program by looking up their school on the home page and clicking Hawaii Student Housing. OCMP offers meal plans at numerous area restaurants at discounted rates.

• I saw a bug in my unit, what should I do?
  • Hawaii has a very tropical atmosphere; it creates an environment for potential insect issues. As a preventive measure, like most of the hotels in the area, we have a professional extermination company spray the common areas of the building monthly and the interiors of the apartment units 4 times per year. Nonetheless, students are encouraged to keep their apartments clean. You should avoid storing your clothes and other laundry in a pile on the floor. You should make sure not to leave dirty dishes lying around. Any food that is going to be stored should be stored in sealed, airtight containers. You should remove any rubbish other than non-paper waste daily. Despite these “best practices” guidelines, we understand that for some of our residents cleanliness is a top priority and they may not regularly take these preventive measures especially with their hectic student lifestyles. If you are encountering an insect problem, please put in a work order at the front desk and our maintenance staff will respond to your issue.

• There is some discoloration on the wall in my bathroom, what is it and what should I do?
  • Hawaii has a tropical atmosphere; it creates an environment for mildew especially if moist conditions exist. Our staff is trained to observe potential mildew issues and has set up a preventive schedule to discourage mildew including unit air filter changes and making sure ventilation is working properly. Also, our staff looks for signs of mildew with every maid service and every maintenance call they make. Residents are asked not to leave wet clothes (like swimming suits) or other laundry (damp or wet towels) lying in piles on the floor. Also, whenever possible, after showering and dressing, leave the bathroom door open so that any moisture can better dissipate. Despite our preventive maintenance and awareness of this issue and your help at preventing moisture rich conditions in your unit, if you notice something that concerns you, please put in a work order with the front desk if you notice something that concerns you and it will be promptly looked at by our maintenance staff.

• What is an ID check?
  • When you are checked-in, you will be issued a Hawaii Student Housing sticker to place on your student ID. You will be required to show your ID and sticker whenever requested by a staff member. This is a quick and easy method for our staff double check that people in the building are residents of our community.

• My lease refers to the monthly payment that I make to you as an installment, how is that different than rent?
  • It is slightly different. Your Housing Contract is an installment contract as opposed to a month-to-month rental. This is the standard way that most college housing is done. Our Housing Contracts are for a specific period of time called a “Term.” The Terms that we offer in our Housing Contracts generally relate to different school sessions offered at the main universities and colleges in the area. Each Term offered has a Contract Price that it will cost you to stay in our facility for that Term. When you sign your Housing Contract, you are not renting from us on a month-to-month basis, but rather you are leasing for the Term and you owe the Contract Price. Most students and parents cannot afford to pay the Contract Price all at once at the time they enter into the Housing Contract. For this reason, we provide an option for our residents to make Installment Payments so they can spread out the expense of their Housing Contract. We also work those students on financial aid, so they can use their financial aid to help with the expense of Housing. If you have questions about our option for you to make installment payments or about how we can help with your financial aid program, please do not hesitate to call out Leasing Office at 808-922-4661