Q: I am moving to Honolulu from the Continental U.S., what differences in living accommodations, can I expect to experience?

A: Living in Hawaii, you may note that you spend less time in your living space than in the Continental U.S. due to the fantastic weather and outdoor activities available for you to enjoy. The island atmosphere is relaxed. This casual atmosphere translates to "less fancy" living accommodations for many renters on the island. Don't be surprised to find that your dorm, while attending college, is more basic than rental property you may be accustomed to on the main land. Ohia Student Suites was formerly an inexpensively priced hotel available to visitors exploring Waikiki on vacation. You should expect to find outdated wall coverings, carpet and fixtures in the dormitory. These will not be replaced.

Q: What if there is not a bedspace for me?

A: If a bedspace space is not available, please visit our other location websites: Kalo Terrace Student Suites at www.campushousing.com/kaloterrace or Hana Student Suites at www.campushousing.com/hana

Q: I am arriving prior to the move-in date, can I move in early?

A: We will not be able to accommodate early arrivals and you will need to find alternate accommodations if you plan to arrive before the move-in date designated on the Lease Contract. Please plan to arrive no earlier than 10:00 am on the day of move-in.

Q: May I select the actual dorm room I will live in?

A: Unfortuantely, we are unable to guarantee any specific dorm room, floor or location due to a mix of floorplans and students attending different universities. Your placement in a dorm room is based upon your roommate choices or the questionnaire and you will be placed in a dorm room of our choosing.

Q: Is any student staying at Hawaiian Island Student Suites (HISS) eligible to apply for the financial aid deferment program?

A: No. The financial aid deferment program is an agreement strictly with Hawaii Pacific University. If you attend another university on Oahu, you may use your loan and, or financial aid money for rent, but you will have to follow the payment schedule outlined on your lease.

You may download the financial aid deferment application on our website. You may fax it to (808) 923-8805 or mail it to:
                                Hawaiian Island Student Suites
                                2280 Kuhio Ave
                                Honolulu, Hi 96815
                                Attn: FA Deferment

Once a complete application is received along with the required payment and documentation, please allow one week for the processing of the forms.  You will be contacted at the email address you provide on the form to let you know if you have been accepted or declined for the program.

Q: Why would I need fill out a parent plus loan authorization?

A: For a parent plus loan, we need specific authorization from your parent s in order to have Hawaii Pacific University release fund directly to HISS for rent.

Q: May I have visitors?

A: Yes, on a controlled and limited basis. Please read the Community Policies for further explanation.

Q: May I live with a person of the opposite sex?

A: If you need us to assign you a roommate, we will only match you with a person of the same gender. If you have your own roommate, we will allow coed units.

Q: May I rent a private dorm room?

A: A limited number of private dorm rooms are available. You may always choose to rent a double or triple at double or triple the monthly individual costs.

Q: May I drink alcohol at Ohia if I am 21 years of age?

A: Ohia is an alcohol-free community and consumption is not condoned. This, however, does not mean that citizens of our community always make the best choices and some may choose to consume alcohol. Citizens that violate our alcohol-free community will jeopardize their residency status with us. Please read the Community Policies for further explanation.

Q: May I smoke in my suite/room?

A: Ohia is a smoke-free environment and violations of this policy may jeopardize your residency status with us. Please read the Community Policies for further explanation.

Q: Can I pay by credit card?

A: Ohia accepts Visa, Mastercard and Discover for the payment of the Reservation Fee, Common-Area Maintenance Fee, Application Fee and Rental payments. You may call us or download the form (resident services page) and fax it to us. We offer credit card payments through rentpayment.com. This credit card service will process your payment for an additional fee per transaction.

Q: What is the Common-Area Maintenance Fee?

A: This fee provides for general maintenance up keep of the community areas of the building including desk personnel during select non-business hours.

Q: May I remove the furniture provided from the dorm room?

A: You may not remove the furniture provided from the dorm room.

Q: May I add my own furniture to the dorm room?

A: You are more than welcome to supplement our existing furniture package with personal items and furniture you feel would make your dormitory room more comfortable.

Q: When I move to Ohia, can my parents stay with me in the apartment?

A: No, you will have a roommate(s). People helping you move to Hawaii should make arrangements to stay in alternative accommodations.

Q: Is parking available at Ohia Student Suites?

A: Yes, limited parking is available on-site on a first-come, first-served basis at an additional cost of approximately $100/month. Currently Pro Park manages the parking facility. You must contact them at 971-7755 to inquire about availability. The contract will be signed with them directly. Parking during move-in will be extremely congested and you may consider paying to park across the street at the Hyatt Resort.

Q: My roommate and I are different people and we do not really like each other. Can I be released from my lease?

A: Attending college and deciding to live in a student community often means living with a roommate. At Ohia you not only have a roommate in your bedroom you have apartment roommates as well. All these people in an apartment have diverse experiences and may come from different cultures. Our management staff is trained at helping roommates work through concerns to negotiate resolutions to problems. We encourage you to visit our Roommate Connections area of the website in order to explore what living with a roommate means. You cannot be released from your contract with us for not liking your roommate, so please think about this important subject before choosing Ohia.