For some students, Pacific Music Institute is their first time spending a week away from home. And for neighbor island students who travel to O‘ahu each summer, that experience is even richer thanks to PMI student housing at Hawai‘i Pacific University’s Harbor Lofts at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
Whether you’re flying in from a neighbor island, the Continental U.S., or are an O‘ahu-based student looking to grow your independence and experience, PMI’s residential option is designed to make your week feel like less of a commute; giving you the ability to focus your time and energy on becoming the best musician you can be.
Who can live in the dorms?
Student housing is available for students entering grades 9–12, and is open to all program participants. It was designed primarily for neighbor island students (since PMI is a week-long intensive, the daily travel back and forth just isn’t realistic). We’ve also hosted students who live on O‘ahu and didn’t want to struggle with the daily commute (totally fair!). Living in the dorms means you can be fully present, rested, and ready for each day of music!
‘Alohi Igarta, PMI’s Student Housing Coordinator, put it simply: the housing option exists so students “are able to stay throughout the entire week.” No early morning flights, no energy wasted on the road.
As a musician and alum of HYS, ‘Alohi understands both the pressures and joy of participating in a program like PMI, and brings their tailored perspective to the role. We’re excited to welcome ‘Alohi back as our PMI 2026 Student Housing Coordinator!
Where you'll be staying
PMI 2026 dorms are located at Harbor Lofts, right in the Aloha Tower Marketplace area of downtown Honolulu. Each suite has a shared bedroom, bathroom, common area, microwave, fridge, and sink. Adult chaperones are always nearby, either in a room within your suite or in a private suite on the same floor.
Students will also have access to practice rooms in the Aloha Tower Marketplace and Sharky’s Cove, HPU’s student center, so your music doesn’t stop when the day’s program does.
What's included in the Room & Board Package:
- 10 nights (check-in Friday, July 3 and check-out Monday, July 13)
- Transportation to all PMI-related activities
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week
- Snacks and additional activities
Adult chaperones - Early check-in available for an additional fee
Please reach out to the PMI team about student housing and package rates if your student is participating in a shorter program.
A different side of Honolulu
One of the unexpected gifts of the housing program is where it puts you. Igarta noted that many neighbor island students had visited Oʻahu before, but only in the familiar orbit of Waikīkī. Living near Aloha Tower gave them “a more expansive view of what Honolulu has to offer.”
There’s something meaningful about experiencing your home state from a new vantage point. For students from the Continental US, it’s a chance to learn alongside peers who are discovering the island too. And for anyone, anywhere in the world…well, as Igarta said, “what greater opportunity than to come learn music here in Hawai‘i.”
"Being in the boarding program, I felt it was a good introduction to what college will be like. Learning how to dorm and understanding how time management works."
A little piece of home
Living away from family for a week is real, and Igarta, who lived alongside students as their Housing Coordinator in 2025, saw homesickness firsthand. Their advice? Pack something that keeps you connected. A photo, a small memento, something that reminds you of home when the week feels long. “Having that connection back to home can really help students when they need it,” Igarta shared.
And you won’t be navigating it alone. The Housing Coordinator and other chaperones are on-site throughout the week, available for anything students and families might need: from day-to-day questions to coordinating checkout logistics with parents at the end of the program.
Ready to join?
Room and board packages are available for all PMI programs, so no matter what you’re studying, there’s a housing option for you. Reach out to our team to learn more about availability and rates.