Our experienced Italian teachers offer private lessons during the course breaks, tailored to help you catch up or move forward with your Italian. All teachers are native Italian speakers, hold Italian university degrees, and bring solid teaching experience. Design lessons that suit your goals and interests, from conversational skills to advanced grammar.

Flexible Topics & Format: Customize your lessons by choosing the topics, learning format (in-person or online), and setting (indoors, outdoors, walks, even the beach!).

Rates: $60 per hour for individual lessons. Discounts for groups: $30 per person/hour for two students; $20 per person/hour for three students. Directly to the teacher.

Duration: Minimum three-lesson commitment, paid in advance as a package.

Location: Lessons available in Honolulu, Hawaii Kai, or online, with ample neighborhood parking options.

Optional Book: "Italian Grammar in Practice" by Susanna Nocchi (2022, interactive ebook version available). Purchase online from Alma Edizioni, Libreria Pino, or other retailers.

Dates: To be scheduled during course breaks, when regular group lessons are not in session.

Note: Lesson arrangements, including scheduling and cancellations, are directly managed between student and tutor. The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii assumes no responsibility for any liability, costs, or damages related to these private lessons, and refunds are not available.

Questions: Contact us at info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

Become a member to enjoy this Member-Only event!

Join us for a private tour of the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) by Dr.Nancy Miwa, FOISOH member and HoMA docent. She will lead us on a tour of a special exhibit featuring a new galley, the Samuel H. Kress Foundation Collection. Samuel H. Kress (1863–1955) was a businessman and collector of primarily Italian Renaissance works who gifted portions of his collection to regional and academic art museums throughout the United States. The Honolulu Museum of Art’s collection, established in 1961, features 16 paintings dating from the early 14th century to the late 18th century. Works include landscapes by Carlo Bonavia, portraits by Francesco de’ Rossi and Giovanni Battista Moroni, as well as paintings of the Madonna and Child and other religious subjects by artists such as Francesco Granacci and Piero di Cosimo.   

Nancy Miwa: After spending several years in the political and nonprofit arenas, Dr. Miwa returned to graduate school to study the history, theology, iconography, and literature of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. She moved to Honolulu ten years ago and immediately trained as a docent at the Honolulu Museum of Art. Her travels have taken her all over the world, but she particularly enjoys her visits “home” to Italy.

RSVP: Mandatory and only if you’re completely sure and committed to the event because there are only 20 spots available due to the gallery size.

COST: Registrants will pay the museum’s entrance fee directly to the museum at the time of the event: free for HoMA members and minors; $15 for Hawai‘i residents with ID; $25 for others.  

TIME: The tour will start at 5:00pm punctual and will continue at 6:00pm in the museum café to enjoy pupus and drinks (self-paid, cash).

PARKING: Visit the HoMA website for direction, parking.

NOTE: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

Join our membership so you can attend our language courses! All Italy lovers are welcome!

Get prepared for your Italian adventure! In this language class, you'll learn essential phrases and vocabulary for traveling to Italy. From booking reservations and buying tickets to navigating hotels, restaurants, shops, and handling important documents—this course has you covered for a smooth and enjoyable trip.

REGISTRATION: Required. Max 12 students, classes often sell out, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated. All students must be members, no guests are allowed, not even for Dual members.

DATES: Eight Tuesdays. Pizza party at the end of the course.

LEVELS: Sign up for the class that you think fits you best. On the first day of class, you can try other levels and change class if you wish. In addition to your level, you can also audit other levels throughout the whole course (listening only, no talking).

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 10.
• Intermediate Level 2-3 (6-7:30pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 1—we’ll cover chapters 11 on but mainly focus on conversation.

BOOK: “Italian grammar in practice” by Susanna Nocchi (2022, Alma Edizioni, English edition)--includes an interactive e-book which allows you to access all contents, audio files, and exercises with self-correction online.

PARKING: Abundant free parking on site.

INSTRUCTOR: Daniela Rocco Minerbi pursued classic studies at the Liceo Classico where she studied Latin for eight years and ancient Greek for five years. She earned a 5th Year Piano Diploma at the Conservatorio Giuseppe Verdi, and obtained her Doctoral Degree in Architecture at the Polytechnical University in Milano. She has been Italian Court interpreter, hospital interpreter, and translator for the Government and for private firms. She has taught Italian language and culture at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (UHM) and Kapiolani Community College outreach programs. At UHM, she also taught Painting in Italian and co-taught in Psychology, Architecture, and Peace studies. Daniela has organized peace seminars and is the co-author of the book “Macrohistory and Macrohistorians: Perspectives on Individual, Social, and Civilizational Change” (Galtung et al., 1997). As an artist, she has won prizes and awards, has had art exhibitions, and has been curator of several art shows in both Italy and Hawaii. She loves to perform piano four hands and two pianos. Daniela provides consulting services in Architectural Design.

NOTE:  The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

Join our membership so you can attend our language courses! All Italy lovers are welcome!

Learn Italian through a detective story. Over eight sessions, we will explore themes of city life, memory, personal heritage, and personal connections to Italy, blending language practice with cultural reflection. Students of Intermediate and Advanced levels may choose to download the kindle version or paperback of Un Attimo Prima di Morire (One Moment Before Dying), a detective story by Armando Guarino, a Naples-based author. The course will feature:

• Guided reading with explanations of vocabulary, syntax, and idiomatic expressions.
• Grammar workshops focused on practical structures and appropriate verb tenses: present for beginner level, past for intermediate level, and conditional/subjunctive for advanced level.
• Creative activities to develop natural spoken and written Italian.
• Cultural insights on Naples and its surroundings, including Capri and the Amalfi Coast, and other Italian cities as narrative settings, with references to music, film and poetry.
• Meet the author—a live online conversation with Armando Guarino, offering students the chance to engage directly with a native speaker.
• This program welcomes learners at all levels—from new explorers to longtime students and those seeking to rediscover the language in a literary context. Our shared goal is to develop the ability to narrate personal stories, to remember and imagine in Italian, guided by a novel that speaks of life, death and rebirth.

REGISTRATION: Required. Max 12 students, classes often sell out, and walk-ins cannot be accommodated. All students must be members, no guests are allowed, not even for Dual members.

DATES: Eight Thursdays. Pizza party at the end of the course.

LEVELS: Sign up for the class that you think fits you best. On the first day of class, you can try other levels and change class if you wish. In addition to your level, you can also audit other levels throughout the whole course (listening only, no talking).

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30-6pm): For students who have no or minimal grasp of the Italian language—we’ll cover up to chapter 10.
• Intermediate Level 2 (6-7:30pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 1—we’ll cover chapters 11-20 but mainly focus on conversation.
• Advanced/Conversation Level 3 (7:30-9pm): For students who have mastered all grammar and vocabulary of Level 2—— we will use Italian exclusively in student-led conversations, across a range of topics and genres chosen by the students. Textbook exercises from Chapter 21 onward are used only at students’ request, and only briefly, to review specific grammar points as needed.

BOOK:

• Italian Grammar in Practice by Susanna Nocchi (Alma Edizioni, 2022, English edition), which includes interactive e-book with access to all contents, audio files, and exercises with self-correction online.
• Un Attimo Prima di Morire by Armando Guarino (Kindle version or paperback_ which includes a QR code with songs and poetry.

PARKING: Abundant free parking on site.

INSTRUCTOR: Iolanda Marinelli, friends and family call her Iole, is one of our Italian Language Teachers. Iole grew up in Italy where she received her Laurea Magistrale (M.A.) in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, and a Teaching Certification in English Secondary Education from Italy Department of Education. In 2006 she made Hawai’i her home. Here she began to teach Italian at Saint Anthony School in 2016, and in 2017 she completed her Hawai'i Certification as Substitute Teacher K-12 and started substitute teaching at public schools on Oahu. She continued to teach Italian and Spanish for the After School Malama Program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and Kailua Elementary School. Iole also served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Association of Language Teachers as Italian Representative. In 2023 she left the Hawai'i Department of Education and began a new career in federal service, building on earlier professional experience in Italy. She brings her experience working with children and adds fun to the Italian classes.

NOTE: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS: Please contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org.

The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is hosting an open house for its language program in celebration of the Week of the Italian Language in the World. Every October, we join the diplomatic-consular network and the Italian Cultural Institutes to celebrate the Italian language. Join us for an informal and fun adventure with Professoressa Iole Marinelli. You will have the chance to observe a lesson from her Fall course, which started two weeks prior and runs through November. This is a great opportunity to get a taste of our language courses and decide whether to join future classes—offered once per season!

LEVELS: All levels of language learners are welcome, including those who are simply curious.

• Beginner Level 1 (4:30–6:00 PM)

• Intermediate Level 2 (6:00–7:30 PM)

• Advanced/Conversation Level 3 (7:30–9:00 PM)

PARKING: Available on site. 

RSVP: Required by October 1st. No walk-ins, and there are only 6 spots available per level.

INSTRUCTOR: Iolanda Marinelli, friends and family call her Iole, is one of our Italian Language Teachers. Iole grew up in Italy where she received her Laurea Magistrale (M.A.) in Foreign Languages and Literatures from the University of Naples “L’Orientale”, and a Teaching Certification in English Secondary Education from Italy Department of Education. In 2006 she made Hawai’i her home. Here she began to teach Italian at Saint Anthony School in 2016, and in 2017 she completed her Hawai'i Certification as Substitute Teacher K-12 and started substitute teaching at public schools on Oahu. She continued to teach Italian and Spanish for the After School Malama Program at Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School, and Kailua Elementary School. Iole also served three terms on the Board of Directors of the Hawai’i Association of Language Teachers as Italian Representative. In 2023 she left the Hawai'i Department of Education and began a new career in federal service, building on earlier professional experience in Italy. She brings her experience working with children and adds fun to the Italian classes.

NOTE: The Friends of Italy Society of Hawaii is not responsible for any liability, cost, and damages which could arise from the programs; and does not provide any refunds, except if it cannot deliver the program, for instance in the case of insufficient enrollment.

QUESTIONS:  Contact info@friendsofitalyhawaii.org