Hawaiʻi Community College chancellor announces retirement

Susan Kazama concludes an epic 40-year career with University of Hawaiʻi this summer when she steps down from her post as Hawaiʻi Community College chancellor to retire.

She will leave behind a legacy that will be a hard act to follow.

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

The Hilo-born longtime educator was appointed in July 2024 as chancellor — overseeing a college that stretches around the island including the Manono campus in Hilo, Pālamanui campus in Kona and Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a — after returning home to the Big Island to serve for a year as interim chancellor.

“Returning home to lead a college in the community that raised me has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” she shared in a message to the campus. “Looking back on four decades at the University of Hawaiʻi, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve students and communities across our state, and especially for the chance to return home to lead Hawaiʻi Community College.”

Hawaiʻi Community College under her watch was not only able to simply rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, it thrived.

Kazama led the school to an 8.7% spike in enrollment, an outstanding achievement on its own coming out of a period in Earth’s history that changed almost every aspect of life, not the least of which was education.

She didn’t stop there either, going on to lead the school to record-high student retention and success rates coupled with a full 7-year reaffirmation of accreditation by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.

Among her most significant accomplishments was securing an agreement for a 16-acre land acquisition dedicated to sustainable agriculture, creating new opportunities for hands-on learning while supporting food security and workforce development on Hawaiʻi Island.

She also strengthened community relationships, expanded philanthropic support and helped advance Hawaiʻi Community College’s mission as a premier Native Hawaiian-serving institution rooted in culture, innovation and opportunity.

Kazama’s time at the institution’s helm reflected a strong commitment to student success, workforce development and community engagement.

She expanded educational opportunities at the Pālamanui campus and Kō Education Center, launched the college’s first drone certification program, supported multiple butchery cohorts and helped secure scholarship funding through community partnerships.

Her tenure with University of Hawaiʻi spanned five campuses and nearly every level of higher education leadership, beginning in the libraries of Maui Community College and Honolulu Community College. She then joined University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library.

Kazama later served as library and learning resources director at Kapiʻolani Community College and went on to serve in senior leadership positions throughout the university system, including interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kapiʻolani and Honolulu community colleges before coming home and accepting the positions at Hawaiʻi Community College.

She is nationally recognized for her expertise in accreditation, having served as a commissioner, vice chairperson and chairperson of the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges and helping shape accreditation standards and policy for community colleges throughout the western United States and Pacific regions.

Kazama was born and raised in Hilo. She was a member of the first graduating class at Waiākea High School, continuing her education at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

She is retiring — effective July 31 — in part to spend more time caring for her elderly parents.

Throughout her career, Kazama focused on strengthening student success, institutional effectiveness and community partnerships, leaving a lasting impact on the University of Hawaiʻi System and students it serves.

“What I leave with most strongly is this lesson: the leadership of a kauhale [village] means we must work together on behalf of student success, trust, culture and institutional transformation,” Kazama said. “The things that matter most can never rest on the shoulders of a single person. They require all of us.”

“Mahalo to Chancellor Kazama for her dedication and service to the University of Hawaiʻi and her steadfast leadership at Hawaiʻi Community College,” said

Interim University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges Vice President Lui Hokoana thanked Kazama for her dedication and service to the university system and steadfast leadership at Hawaiʻi Community College.

“Susan’s deep roots on Hawaiʻi Island and her commitment to building pilina [relationship] have profoundly elevated the campus and its students,” said Hokoana. “We are deeply grateful for her dedication and wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement.”

An interim chancellor for Hawaiʻi Community College will be announced in the weeks ahead to ensure a smooth transition.