Hawaii Massage Academy

Detailed review as a former student in their Esthetician program! Hawaii Massage Academy is also known as Hawaii Cosmetology Academy.Why I enrolled to this school for my Esthetician license is that I want to expand my skill set and services so I can create my future freelance spa business. (My spa Instagram @Waifuspa.co)*Location*The class is located at the Century center on the 30th floor. When you walk out of the elevator, the door to your left will have a sign that says Hawaii Massage Academy. Remember to take off your shoes once you enter.*Parking*For students, I don't recommend parking in the building because it will cost you $12 per an hour so I recommend you parking around Don Quiote or around the street near the building that's not a tow away zone.*Tuition cost*Compared to other esthetician schools on this island, Hawaii Cosmetology Academy has one of the most affordable tuition that will not put you in debt. For this program if you choose to do their Eyelash extension and Brazilian wax specialty classes you will pay $7000 for tuition which includes books, student kits, and class training. But I chose not to do those classes so my tuition was $4555! If you have a hard time paying in full, you have to discuss with the principal about a payment installment plan (which I did). *Program*I enrolled to their Evening program that starts from 5pm-930pm Monday-Friday for the January to July 2024 term. Our evening teacher Samantha is a sweet old white lady that really cares for her students. She's very understanding so when you come to class late due from traffic, she will not deduct your hours. The textbook work and tests aren't hard and the hands on training has a lot of repetition so you'll be able to learn the techniques quickly. Dinner break is around 630pm or 730pm and it's usually 30min, there's a break room with a microwave and fridge so bring your home meals or buy plate lunch nearby! The first 2 months will be Monday-Tuesday textbook days and Wednesday-Friday hands on training. The 3rd month and onwards you finally start taking in your family and friends as your clients for facials to finish your 600hrs. You're also required to do 35 facials to finish the program. You will have to talk/text to the receptionist and schedule which days you want to come in to do your facial shifts.Sadly there's no class graduation since we all will have different hours and amount of clients taking in so everyone will finish at different speeds. You can even finish the program within 3 months if you can take on a lot of clients and or have your family/friends come multiple times. But it's also okay to take your time but you have till the 7th month to complete all 600 hours.My only complaint is that they don't offer more specialty classes like hydrafacials, microneedling, lash lifts, etc. So you may have to take these classes elsewhere.I hope my review gave you the confidence to enroll and to pursue your Esthetician dreams!

I always come here to get a massage done by Irene! She is a licensed massage therapist and she does an AMAZING job! She seriously works out the knots and any tension I have. She'll always ask if there's a specific place you want her to work on and takes her time to work out the tension. She is STRONG!! Be prepared to feel pain and relief at the same time. I recommend Hawaii Massage Academy to everyone. The prices are great! I've had massages from the students as well and have no complaints. Very relaxing and they all do a great job.

Hawaii Massage AcademyI was experiencing severe pain in my shoulders from a recurring injury from training at the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. The pain was so bad that at hard time sleeping at night. I saw an ad on Facebook for a massage academy in Waikiki. When I looked it up, I also learned about Hawaii Massage Academy. I started with student massages and both academies. One day I was fortunate to have Corieamber, a licensed massage therapist and the chief instructor, massage me at the student rate. She was sooooo good! She uses her elbow and hands to slowly stretch out the kinks in my shoulder and back. While she is petite, her power is not. She has really strong hands, and I had to tell her to go a little softer. Each time I go and she asked me what would I like her to work on today.Tips:1. If you can afford $10 more, just ask for Corieamber she's worth every dollar. 2. If you're on a low budget, start with the students and rotate a different student each time you go. After you had a session with each, chose the two you like best. Students require 420 of hands on massage to get their license. 3. At the beginning of each session, tell your therapist where you are experiencing pain and what you would like them to work on. When my shoulders are real bad, I tell her to spend 100% of the time on my neck and shoulders. When there's no pain I ask for a full body massage.4. Communicate with your therapist to press harder or softer throughout your therapy. Over time they will learn the correct amount of pressure to apply for you.5. Tip generously! The students at the Academy do not get paid they live off of tips. I give $20. Besides, you're getting such a good deal compared to the average rates:Four Seasons $225 for 50 min, Kahala Hotel $225 for 60 min, Turtle Bay $265 for 60 min, Heaven on Earth $78 for 50 min, Google: Average rates on Oahu $50-$150/hr

Finally we came back for a massage.It's been over 4yrs since we been here. Today's was beautiful n felt n feel great.As a former student here, you can't go wrong with the price n for the student working on you.I had Sujin with very strong hands n she worked me great.She knows what she's doing n gets in between the muscles. Her pressure n techniques are awesome. I felt great after she was done with me n will go back to see her again n again as long as she there.Like I said ... when you find the right one .... it helps big time.See you soon

I've been here twice and haven't been impressed with the quality of the massages I got. Once with a student and once with a licensed therapist. They teach/ use a lackluster technique IMO. The first time I went I had an older gentleman who was a student who had hands that were soft and limp like a little child. It was not enjoyable and he did not (could not?) apply more pressure when asked. His breath smelled like rotten teeth and tuna fish and I cut the 90 minute massage short bc it wasn't a good one. I was happy when it was over. Next time I went, I had a licensed therapist so I figured it would be better but again, she was older and her hands were limp and technique was not effective. I tried to give her tips and let her know what she was doing wasn't doing anything for me but she didn't adjust anything. The other thing about this spot is the setup. You park, but you need to ask for a specific stall number pass, then you drive up to the 4th floor and take 1 (very slow) elevator to the lobby and take another elevator to the main office and then pay and they send you to another office to get your massage on a different floor. So you need to arrive about 20 minutes early to deal with all the elevators (4 rides in total) and bouncing around the building. Not very relaxing. Then you pay $2 (cash only) with validation on the way out. Overall it's nice to have an affordable massage place ($30 for student 1 hour and $45 for a license therapist for 1 hour + tip) but you get what you pay for here.

Excellent massage school . We did 60min Masage / facial Mia and Shizuka was excellent licensed and student we had great treatment . Student are great and $10 cheaper than licensed person . I can not believe it's only $35 or $45 . We rebook for 2 days later we want try " back facial " too ! この、マッサージの学校は日本人の校長先生であり、日本人のマッサージの学生さん達も大変マッサージが上手です。余りにもホノルルは高いスパが多いのと、学生さん達はプロの様に上手なので安心してトライして下さい。お勧めです。ワイキキからLyft か、Uber か、タクシーで5分くらいです。great facial also .

One of the best bargains in Honolulu. I really benefits from regular massage and Hawaii Massage Academy makes that possible. And the massages I've received have been awesome. The students do a fabulous job!

Good massage except it's a little too noisy, it's hard to fully relax. The facias are super noisy on the 30th floor. There are makeup class going on and the students are talking and giggling with no regards the there are clients trying to enjoy a quiet moment during their treatment.

Ami and Aya were our massage therapists. They are more than qualified to give a full body massage and you'll leave there refreshed. I've tried 3 others but Aya displayed the best techniques. My wife had Ami which she thoroughly liked. Sadly Ami will soon be leaving and she'll be missed. We opted for the 90 minutes massage and the time just flies. It's over before you know it. This review should have been written months ago and my apologies. Try Hawaii Massage Academy, you will not be disappointed.

You get what u pay for. Student massages are cheap & $30/hr hit and miss, I've had some that were great and some not as great. But hard to grumble for the price . There used to be a LMT in staff if u prefer someone licensed but cost about double