Founded in 1976, the International Hospitality Center (IHC) is a private, non-profit, community-based, volunteer organization. Our mission is to provide professional programming, hospitality and homestays, cross-cultural orientations and special training programs for government and foundation grantees, distinguished guests and sponsored exchange students.

With the help of 1,200 community volunteers, we bring cultural experiences to homes across the state of Hawaii and the mainland United States.

IHC is funded entirely by fees for administrative services.  These funds help defray the expenses incurred in placing our participants for a wide variety of sponsoring educational, cultural exchange, and government agencies.

Barbara Bancel, the founding executive director since 1976, is aided by an advisory board, composed of community leaders, who suggests policy, new programs and assists with community relations.

Volunteers wishing to host cultural exchange students may take part in Academic Semester and Year Programs under the auspices of IHC and in cooperation with major international exchange sponsors.

To learn more, please contact us at (808) 521-3554 or email us at ihc@priory.net.

Check out our most recent edition of News Notes by downloading the pdf.