Hawaii / Health information management programs

Best CAHIIM-accredited health information management programs in Hawaii, ranked (2026)

Hawaii has 1 CAHIIM-accredited HIM program, at the associate level. We score every program on our seven-factor methodology. The single UH Leeward CC AAS scores 76/100.

Taylor Rupe, founder of healthinformationmanagementprograms.com

by , founder & editor

updated

Hawaii
1

Programs ranked

76

Top score

$63K

HI median HIM wage

400

HIM jobs in HI

Key Takeaways

  • University of Hawaii Leeward Community College AAS is the only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Hawaii. Pearl City, Oahu. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Both campus and online delivery. Scores 76/100 on our seven-factor methodology.
  • UH Leeward is the only HI HIM program offering both campus and online delivery. The campus location in Pearl City sits in the heart of central Oahu, with easy access to the Honolulu hospital corridor.
  • No CAHIIM BSHIM or MS in Hawaii. HI students who want the RHIA credential or MS in HIM ladder via online out-of-state programs. Weber State (Ogden UT) and WGU (Salt Lake) are the most common in-region BSHIM options for HI students.
  • Median HIM salary in Hawaii is 63,180 per BLS OEWS May 2025, well above the national median of 51,140. 90th pct 91,650 (the highest of any state in the country, reflecting HI's exceptional cost of living).
  • Hawaii Pacific Health is the largest non-profit health system in Hawaii, including Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children (the only women's and children's specialty hospital in HI), Pali Momi (Aiea), Straub Medical Center (Honolulu), and Wilcox Medical Center (Kauai).
  • Queen's Health System is HI's historic flagship, anchored by Queen's Medical Center at Punchbowl. Other facilities: Queen's West Oahu, Queen's North Hawaii (Big Island), Queen's Medical Center Molokai.
  • Adventist Health Castle (Kailua) is the major non-Hawaii Pacific / Queen's system on windward Oahu. Kaiser Permanente Hawaii operates an integrated insurer-provider model.
  • HI does not license HIM staff. AHIMA credentials (RHIT, RHIA, CCS) function as the de facto standard. HHIMA is the Hawaii AHIMA component.

How we ranked

Our ranking methodology in one paragraph.

Every program is CAHIIM-accredited. We score each one 0-10 on seven factors: CAHIIM accreditation maturity (25%), program director credentials (15%), degree-level pathways (15%), delivery flexibility (15%), employer pipeline (15%), cost-effectiveness (10%), institutional reputation (5%).

Read the full methodology →

Programs taking applications in Hawaii now

HIM, health informatics, and medical coding programs currently accepting students.

The CAHIIM program in Hawaii

The single CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Hawaii.

RankInstitutionDegreeCityScoreCAHIIM
#1 University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College AAS Pearl City 76/100 Initial
#1
76/100

Overall score

University of Hawaii, Leeward Community College

Best (only) in-state AAS (UH Leeward, campus + online, Hawaii Pacific Health + Queen's + Adventist Castle pipeline)

AAS Pearl City, HI Campus Based, Online CAHIIM Initial Next Review 2027-2028

Why it ranks #1

University of Hawaii Leeward Community College AAS in Pearl City, on Oahu. The only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Hawaii at any level. Initial CAHIIM, next review 2027-2028. Both campus-based and online delivery (the only HI HIM program offering both modalities). Program director Chanel Santiago holds RHIA. Part of the University of Hawaii Community Colleges system. Strong reach into Hawaii Pacific Health (the largest non-profit system in HI, including Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi, Straub, and Wilcox in Kauai), Queen's Health System (Queen's Medical Center, the historic Punchbowl flagship), Adventist Health Castle (Kailua), Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Kuakini Medical Center, and the state-owned Hawaii Health Systems Corporation hospitals.

Program Director

Chanel Santiago , RHIA

Address

96-045 Ala Ike, Health Information Technology Program BE 213, Pearl City, HI, 96782

Contact

(808) 455-0621
chanels@hawaii.edu

Score breakdown

Accreditation (25%)7/10
Director credentials (15%)7/10
Pathways (15%)4/10
Delivery (15%)10/10
Employer pipeline (15%)9/10
Cost (10%)10/10
Reputation (5%)7/10
Overall76/100

Visit program at leeward.hawaii.edu → · CAHIIM directory listing

Best for…

Best Hawaii HIM pathways by category.

Best (only) in-state AAS

UH Leeward Community College

Pearl City, Oahu. Initial CAHIIM. Both campus and online delivery (the only HI HIM program with both modalities). RHIA director.

Best campus + online flexibility

UH Leeward

UH Leeward is the only HI HIM program offering both campus-based and online delivery, useful for students on Oahu who want in-person practica plus flexible coursework.

Best Hawaii Pacific Health pipeline

UH Leeward AAS

Hawaii Pacific Health (Kapiolani, Pali Momi, Straub, Wilcox) is the largest non-profit system in HI. UH Leeward's Pearl City campus is geographically central for HPH practica.

Best Queen's Health System pipeline

UH Leeward AAS

Queen's Medical Center Punchbowl is the historic flagship of HI healthcare. Queen's West Oahu is close to the UH Leeward campus.

Best Adventist Health Castle / windward Oahu pipeline

UH Leeward AAS

Adventist Health Castle (Kailua) is the anchor for windward Oahu. UH Leeward graduates feed into Adventist Castle's HIM operations.

Best Kaiser Permanente Hawaii pipeline

UH Leeward AAS

Kaiser HI operates an integrated insurer-provider model. KP's coding and HIM workflows differ from fee-for-service systems and benefit from RHIT training.

Cheapest CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in HI

UH Leeward (by default)

University of Hawaii community college resident tuition. Hawaii Promise (free UH community college tuition) applies for qualifying students. Pell-eligible.

If you want a BSHIM or MS in HI

Go online out-of-state

No CAHIIM BSHIM or MS in HI. Common ladders: UH Leeward AAS into Weber State / WGU / Davenport / Rutgers BSHIM, then DSU / Davenport / Rutgers / SWOSU MS.

Credentials

HIM credentials and certifications in Hawaii (RHIT, RHIA, CCS).

Hawaii does not license HIM staff. The Hawaii Health Information Management Association (HHIMA) is the state AHIMA component.

CredentialFull NameEducation RequiredTypical HI Role
RHITRegistered Health Information TechnicianCAHIIM AAS (UH Leeward in-state)Records, ROI, coder at Hawaii Pacific Health / Queen's / Adventist Castle / Kaiser HI
RHIARegistered Health Information AdministratorCAHIIM BSHIM (no in-state, online out-of-state needed)HIM supervisor, privacy officer, compliance
CCSCertified Coding SpecialistRHIT/RHIA + coding experienceInpatient/outpatient coder, coding auditor

Salary data

Medical records specialist salary in Hawaii.

BLS OEWS May 2025 HI estimates for SOC 29-2072:

  • Median: $63,180 (national: $51,140, +$12,040)
  • Mean: $65,590
  • 10th pct: $45,700 · 90th pct: $91,650
  • Statewide employment: 400

Hawaii's 90th pct ($91,650) is the highest of any state in the country, reflecting HI's exceptionally high cost of living. Note however that the high nominal wages do not translate to higher real purchasing power. Honolulu and the broader Oahu corridor anchor the upper end; Maui (Maui Memorial), Big Island (Kona Community, Hilo Medical), and Kauai (Wilcox) pay near the HI median.

Salary distribution

Medical records specialist salary in Hawaii vs. national median (BLS OEWS May 2025).

$30K$40K$50K$60K$70K$80K$90K$100K Hawaii MED $63K National MED $51K

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Chart range extended to $100K to accommodate Hawaii's 90th pct.

Workforce

Hawaii health information management job market and top hospital employers.

Hawaii Pacific Health. The largest non-profit health system in Hawaii. Member hospitals: Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children (the only women's and children's specialty hospital in HI), Pali Momi Medical Center (Aiea), Straub Medical Center (Honolulu), Wilcox Medical Center (Kauai).

Queen's Health System. Anchored by Queen's Medical Center at Punchbowl (Honolulu), the historic flagship of Hawaii healthcare. Other facilities: Queen's Medical Center West Oahu (Ewa Beach), Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital (Big Island), Queen's Medical Center Molokai.

Adventist Health Castle. Kailua. The anchor system for windward Oahu, part of the broader Adventist Health network.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. Integrated insurer-provider model. Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center (Honolulu) and outpatient facilities across Oahu.

Kuakini Medical Center. Honolulu. Independent community hospital with a long-standing focus on serving the Japanese-American community.

Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. State-owned. Operates Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, Hilo Medical Center, and several rural and neighbor-island facilities.

Tripler Army Medical Center. Honolulu. The largest military treatment facility in the Pacific. Federal HIM positions with distinct hiring pipelines.

Health information exchange

Hawaii Health Information Exchange (HHIE).

Hawaii Health Information Exchange (HHIE) is Hawaii's state-designated health information exchange, providing clinical messaging, longitudinal patient record retrieval, and ADT notifications across participating HI providers. Coverage spans Hawaii Pacific Health, Queen's, Adventist Health Castle, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation hospitals, and many independent and rural providers across the islands.

State regulation

Hawaii state laws affecting health information management.

  • Patient access (HRS 622-57 and HRS 622-58). Hawaii's patient records statute grants patients access to medical records with statutory copying-fee caps.
  • Medical record retention (HAR 11-93 hospital licensing). HI hospitals must retain adult medical records for at least 7 years after the date of last discharge; minor records: age of majority plus retention period.
  • Breach notification (HRS 487N). Notice to affected HI residents in the most expedient time possible.
  • No state HIM licensure. HI's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs regulates clinical professions; HIM credentials are AHIMA-issued (RHIT, RHIA, CCS).

Sources

Sources and references.

  1. healthinformationmanagementprograms.com Methodology.
  2. CAHIIM Program Directory.
  3. BLS OEWS: May 2025 HI estimates.
  4. AHIMA Certification Exams.
  5. Hawaii Health Information Exchange (HHIE).
  6. Hawaii Revised Statutes: HRS 622-57, HRS 487N.
  7. University of Hawaii Community Colleges: Hawaii Promise, resident tuition.

FAQ

HIM programs in Hawaii: frequently asked questions.

What is the best CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Hawaii?

University of Hawaii Leeward Community College AAS is the only CAHIIM-accredited HIM program in Hawaii, scoring 76/100 on our methodology.

How many CAHIIM-accredited HIM programs are in HI?

1 active, at the associate level. No CAHIIM BSHIM or MS in HI.

What is the average HIM salary in HI?

Median $63,180 per BLS OEWS May 2025 (well above the national median of 51,140). 90th pct $91,650, the highest in the country. Note: HI's high nominal wages reflect cost of living and do not translate to higher real purchasing power.

Does HI require a license to work in HIM?

No. AHIMA credentials (RHIT, RHIA, CCS) are the standard.

Which Hawaii hospitals hire the most HIM staff?

Hawaii Pacific Health (Kapiolani + Pali Momi + Straub + Wilcox), Queen's Health System (Queen's Punchbowl + West Oahu + Molokai + North Hawaii), Adventist Health Castle, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Kuakini, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Tripler Army Medical Center.

What is HHIE?

Hawaii Health Information Exchange. Provides clinical messaging across participating HI providers statewide.

Can I get a HIM degree fully online in HI?

Yes. The UH Leeward AAS offers both campus and online delivery. For BSHIM or MS, HI students must take a CAHIIM program from out of state.

If I want a BSHIM after my UH Leeward AAS, what's the typical ladder?

Common ladders: UH Leeward AAS into Weber State BSHIM (Ogden UT) or WGU BSHIM (Salt Lake, competency-based, fully online). Davenport and Rutgers are also fully online and accept HI students.