Hawai‘i Community College revitalizes Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a
After $4 million and 6 years, Hawai‘i Community College is unveiling a newly renovated Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a on the Big Island’s Hāmākua Coast.
“We’re excited to bring these resources to North Hawai’i,” said Pele Kaio, point of contact for Kō Education Center. “This is more than an upgrade — it’s a commitment to our students and the broader community. The new facilities will empower students, support local organizations and enhance educational accessibility.”
Kō Education Center facilities now boast:
- Two new classrooms: Supporting general education and specialized courses, including health programs for nursing education.
- Certified science lab: With biosafety level 1 certification, and level 2 in the works, this lab will host biology, chemistry and microbiology courses, opening new opportunities for science, technology, engineering and mathematics students.
- Instructional kitchen: While not yet certified for food sales, the kitchen will support culinary instruction including a planned butchery course — the first of its kind in the state.
Kō Education Center is also revitalizing its academic programming, with a robust slate of classes available in person and via video conferencing for the spring 2025 semester, making education more accessible to the Hāmākua community.
Courses include:
- English: English 100 (Composition I) and English 102 (College Reading Skills) via video conferencing.
- Hawaiian Studies: Hawaiian Studies 103 (Hawaiian Practices: ‘Ohe Kāpala Designs and Printing) and Hawaiian Studies 270 (Hawaiian Mythology) in-person.
- History: History 151 (World History up to the 1500s) and History 152 (World History since 1500) via video conferencing.
- Mathematics: Math 100 (Survey of Mathematics) in-person.
- Oceanography: Oceanography 101 (Introduction to the Marine Option Program) and Oceanography 193 (Marine Option Program Skill Project) via video conferencing.
- Psychology and Sociology: Psychology 100 (Survey of Psychology) and Sociology 100 (Survey of General Sociology) via video conferencing.
- Speech: Speech 151 (Personal and Public Speech) via video conferencing.
“These upgrades and courses reflect our commitment to supporting local education and workforce development,” said Hawai‘i Community College Interim Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences Carrie Mospens. “We want to provide a space where students and community members feel supported and empowered. Our goal is to support the community by offering opportunities close to home and creating a sense of connection and accessibility for our students.”
Butchery course co-instructors Wade Cypriano and Bill Wong at the Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a. (Photo Courtesy: Hawai‘i Community College)- The upgraded kitchen facility at Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a will support culinary instruction. (Photo Courtesy: Hawai‘i Community College)
- Pele Kaio, Kō Education Center point of contact, says upgrades to the facility in Honoka‘a were years in the making. (Photo Courtesy: Hawai‘i Community College)
Those who applied and were accepted to Hawai‘i Community College already can still register for the courses at Kō Education Center.
The first day of instruction for the spring 2025 semester is Jan. 13. The last day to add or register late for a semester-length courses is Jan. 21.
Call the Hawai‘i Community College Information Center at 808-934-2500 to register for classes. You can call 808-775-8890 or email to koec@hawaii.edu for additional information about Kō Education Center.
Visit the Hawai‘i Community College website for even more about what the college has to offer on the Big Island.
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