Travel Writing in Hawaii
Travel Writing
in Hawaii
overview
overview
Based in Waikīkī, on the south shore of Honolulu, the Travel Writing in Hawaii program will challenge you to be journalists and explorers as you gain the skills you need to share with others what you experience in the only U.S. state that was once a kingdom. You’ll grow as storytellers and travelers and ultimately be able to appreciate the wide differences in perspectives and values found among different cultures. You’ll see the importance of place and history in even the most routine stories you report. And you’ll have the opportunity to pursue personal passions—art, science, politics, business—in a new context.
This program will also offer you the chance to meet local journalists, government officials, and residents, including some of the tens of thousands who identify as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. You’ll learn from them and about them in ways that most tourists never can. The island itself will be our classroom, and the unfamiliar environment will push you to sharpen your skills in interviewing, observation, and writing.
Through discussions and reporting assignments, we’ll explore Hawaii’s history and culture, the way of life of the Polynesian seafarers who first settled the islands, the impact of the arrival of American missionaries, the eventual melding of North American and East Asian cultures, the events at Pearl Harbor during World War II, the unique local climate and ecology, the regional cuisine, and the modern challenges and opportunities created by ever-expanding Hawaii tourism.
Summer 2025 program dates are still in the works!
But the estimated dates for 2025 are:
Students arrive in Hawaii – May 13th, 2025
Students depart Hawaii – May 30th, 2025 (this date is subject to change at this time and we may add a day or two to the end of the program).
Students will receive three hours of elective course during this program. (JOUR 5570- Introduction to Travel Writing).
The objectives for this course are for students to develop as storytellers and travelers; to appreciate the wide differences in perspectives and values found among different cultures; to understand the importance of place and history in even the most routine stories they report; to think critically about gender, sex, race, ethnicity, origin, sexual orientation, and other forms of diversity in relation to travel writing; and to evaluate how digital media are disrupting the travel-writing industry.
This program is open to all undergraduate and graduate majors at any University in the United States. Strong candidates include students who are passionate and interested in journalism or writing. They have a high level of personal responsibility and genuine interest in the educational aspect of this program.
Located on the south shore of Honolulu, the world-famous neighborhood of Waikīkī was once a playground for Hawaiian royalty. Known in Hawaiian as “spouting waters,” Waikīkī was introduced to the world when its first hotel, the Moana Surfrider, was built on its shores in 1901. Today, Waikīkī is Oʻahu’s main hotel and resort area and a vibrant gathering place for visitors from around the world. Along the main strip of Kalākaua Avenue you’ll find world-class shopping, dining, entertainment, activities and resorts.
Waikīkī, on the south shore of Honolulu will be our home base and where we stay for the program
Apply
Applications open before August of each year. Applications for Summer 2025 are due before midnight, Monday, November 4th, 2024.
Costs & Logistics
The program costs vary from year to year depending on number of students enrolled, exchange rates, and logistical cost changes. The ESTIMATED program fee for summer 2025 has not been established at this time and is subject to change from what is advertised to students. The program fee for Summer 2024 was $4,070 (this includes a $150 security deposit paid upon acceptance to the program). This amount is only an estimate and is subject to change until all students are accepted to the program in the Spring.
In addition to the program fee, students are expected to pay 3 hours of in-state tuition and UGA Mandatory Fees through their Athena student accounts after registration. The HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships can be applied towards TUITION only if applicable. **non-UGA transient students may have an additional $250 fee upon registration**
The program fee listed above includes the following:
- Lodging in double-occupancy, air-conditioned rooms with a full bath
- Daily Breakfast, a welcome dinner and closing dinner
- Entrance to educational and cultural activities
- Monthly bus pass
- A dedicated classroom with WiFi access
The program fee listed above DOES NOT include:
- 3 hours of in-state tuition and UGA Mandatory fees (See UGA’s website for updated tuition and fees rates for 2025)
- Airfare to/from Honolulu (Typically around $1,200 – $1,600)
- Meals other than breakfast, and a welcome/closing dinner
- Laundry
- Personal Purchases and weekend travel
- Miscellaneous personal expenses
Student accommodations
Students will stay in double-occupancy hotel rooms in the beautiful Outrigger Waikiki Beachcomber Hotel. Outrigger is ranked #1 on Tripadvisor! The hotel is providing our program a common room that will have a kitchenette for cooking small meals. Outrigger is located just a 5-minute walk to the beach and near restaurants and shopping!
Program Faculty & Staff
Dr. Jonathan Peters
Department Head, Associate Professor
