The center conducts interdisciplinary research and provides research-related assistance to faculty and students. It has a special interest in cross-cultural studies. Several faculty members in the sociology department are members of the faculty of one of these centers. Each center develops inter-departmental courses and research activities related to its particular area of focus. Each area center also offers a certificate program for graduate students pursuing degrees in other fields, who seek concurrent specialization and certification of their training in language and area studies.
Some centers also offer scholarships for qualified students in departmental degree programs.
Students should contact the relevant area center for further information and application materials. It offers some fellowships that are available to University of Hawai'i graduate students, and other internships in conjunction with its research projects. Interested students should contact the East-West Center directly for information. Collections total more than 2.9 million volumes, including more than 27,000 journal and periodical titles. Library services include reference and research paper consultation, computerized information retrieval, and instruction in library use.