#Hawaii Community College

Kazama’s chancellorship — including as interim — is marked by an era of growth, stability and renewed momentum for Hawaiʻi Community College.

The clock is ticking for all cesspools in the State of Hawaiʻi to be removed and replaced by 2050 as mandated by a 2017 state law.

Troy Branco-Liu for most of his life never imagined leaving Lahaina. However, after the 2023 Maui wildfire upended his community, a University of Hawaiʻi scholarship opened a door the Lahainaluna High School graduate never expected, an opportunity to start over at Hawaiʻi Community College in Hilo on the Big Island, which would ultimately change the course of his future.

The event, highlighting the institution’s role in preparing the Big Island’s workforce, drew more than 100 supporters on April 18 to the I Ola Nō Ke Kino Dining Room at the Manono campus in Hilo.

As of 3:17 p.m., 20 to 25 firefighters were on scene, and chopper crews were still conducting water drops on the blaze that has burned approximately 4 to 5 acres.

“Philanthropy plays a vital role in expanding opportunity and ensuring access to higher education across our state,” University President Wendy Hensel said.

Nonprofit Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi’s CNA+ to LPN Bridge program enables working certified nurse aides to become licensed practical nurses without having to leave their jobs to attend school or take labs.

The program has graduated nearly 1,000 technicians, with a notable rise in women’s enrollment.

The kitchens at Hawaiʻi Community College were sizzling as this fast-paced, mystery-basket competition brought together the island’s food community to celebrate local ingredients, mentorship and creativity.

Enrollment on Big Island campuses was mixed, with Hawaiʻi Community College’s up and the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo’s slightly down.

One of Hawai‘i Community College’s newest programs, whole-animal butchery, will once again be open for enrollment starting Aug. 29.

The university’s statewide system of 7 community colleges was recently ranked 11th in the nation in a 2025 Wallethub analysis, which evaluated 653 colleges nationwide on 18 metrics, including tuition, graduation and transfer rates and post-graduation earnings.

The student was the recipient of the 2025 Masaki and Momoe Memorial Award.

Registration for summer courses at a lowered tuition rate for Hawaiʻi residents is open at all seven University of Hawai‘i Community Colleges, providing students with an accelerated and cost-effective way to earn credits. Hawaiʻi residents pay just $131 per credit (normally $248), and can use this opportunity to save money, get ahead academically and explore new classes—all in a shorter time frame.

The groundbreaking course aims to strengthen Hawai‘i’s local food systems by preparing a new generation of skilled professionals in sustainable meat processing.

The program on the Hilo campus blends academics with hands-on training in agroforestry, forest surveying, silviculture (the growing and cultivation of trees) and Geographic Information Systems.

Summer tuition will match fall and spring semester costs at just $131 per credit for Hawai‘i residents, which will allow students to save money, graduate faster and explore new interests while staying on track academically.

The renovated facilities include two new classrooms, a certified science lab and an instructional kitchen as well as a robust slate of classes for the spring 2025 semester, available in person and via video conferencing.

Susan Kazama has worked in the UH system since 1987 and has been interim chancellor at the Big Island college since July 1, 2023.

Hawai‘i Promise Scholarship covers direct education costs not met by other forms of financial aid, including tuition, fees and an allowance for books and supplies.