Hawai`i Community College

🌟 The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawaiʻi (JCCIH) recently presented Hawaiʻi Community College with a $20,000 donation raised through its annual Taste of Hilo fundraiser, providing expanded support for student scholarships and initiatives across the college.

The gift is the largest annual contribution JCCIH has made to Hawaiʻi CC through Taste of Hilo and reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to supporting higher education and student success on Hawaiʻi Island. Scholarships funded through the partnership supported more than 25 students last year, representing programs across the college including Liberal Arts and Sciences, Agriculture, Information Technology, Early Childhood Education, Nursing, Carpentry, Diesel Mechanics and more.

To read the full story, visit: https://hawaii.hawaii.edu/news/taste-hilo-fundraiser-generates-record-20000-gift-hawaii-cc-students

Hawaii Community College is proud to celebrate Dr. Jace Saplan, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, on his recent publication in The Oxford Handbook of Q***r and Gender Studies in Music Education.

His chapter, “Nã Pöhaku Ehã: Nã Mele o Nã Mahu (The Four Stones: The Music of the Mähü),” examines the cultural, historical, and musical significance of mähü within Hawaiian society. Drawing on mele as repositories of identity and place, the chapter explores how music preserves and transmits understandings of Native innovation and genius across generations.

Congratulations, Dr. Saplan, on this meaningful contribution to the field!

Beginning this fall, Hawaiʻi Community College’s Kō Education Center in Honokaʻa will offer a new pathway for North Hawaiʻi students to begin college close to home through the “First Year Here at Kō” program.

The program allows students to complete their first year of general education courses locally through face-to-face morning classes designed to support students balancing academics, work, family, and community commitments. The program also gives students an opportunity to explore future academic and career pathways while completing transferable general education coursework.

To read the full story, visit: https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/news/hawaii-cc-creates-new-college-pathway-north-hawaii-students-first-year-here-ko-program-honokaa

As Hawaiʻi works to eliminate more than 83,000 cesspools by 2050, Hawaiʻi Community College and UH Maui College are preparing the workforce needed to help make it happen.

The colleges recently launched the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Specialist Certificate (OWTSS), a one-year workforce training program that prepares students for careers supporting cesspool conversions and the installation of more sustainable wastewater systems. The program provides a pathway into a growing industry while helping address one of Hawaiʻi’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges.

To read the full story, visit: https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/news/hawaii-cc-uh-maui-college-train-workforce-tackle-hawaiis-cesspool-crisis

Hawaiʻi Community College Chancellor Susan Kazama will step down on July 31 to retire, concluding a 40-year career with the University of Hawaiʻi that has spanned five campuses and nearly every level of higher education leadership.

Kazama, a Hilo native was appointed as the permanent chancellor of Hawaiʻi CC in July 2024 after serving a year in an interim capacity. She is retiring in part to spend more time caring for her elderly parents.

To read the full story, visit: https://www.hawaii.hawaii.edu/news/hawaii-cc-chancellor-susan-kazama-announces-retirement-following-40-years-uh

The grad caps this year did NOT disappoint 🎓😭🌺

So many cute designs, sweet messages, and little details that made each one special ✨

Which cap would you steal? 👀 Drop your favorite slide number below ⬇️

It’s been so special spending this past week celebrating our graduates, and we couldn’t think of a better way to wrap it all up 💛 Congratulations again to the Class of 2026!

Ho’omaika’i to the Hawaii CC Manono Campus Class of 2026! 🎓✨
Sharing a few moments from an evening celebrating the hard work, determination, and achievements of this year’s graduates. Congratulations to the Class of 2026. 🌺

Check out our Flickr link for more images:

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Cheers to the Hawaiʻi CC Pālamanui Class of 2026 🎓✨
From proud smiles to unforgettable moments, here’s a look back at a day filled with celebration, achievement, and new beginnings. Congratulations, graduates — your future is just getting started. 🌺

Check out our Flickr link for more images: