Hawaiʻi Community College Hosts Filipino College Access Event to Bridge Education Gaps

   HILO, HI – Hawaiʻi Community College (Hawaiʻi CC) is proud to announce “Tulungan sa Kolehiyo,” a Filipino college outreach event designed to support Filipino students and families in their journey toward higher education. The event will take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Manono Campus Cafeteria in Hilo.

   Tulungan sa Kolehiyo, which translates to “getting help with college” in Tagalog, aims to educate Filipino parents and community members about the advantages of attending community college while encouraging Filipino high school seniors to pursue their education at Hawaiʻi CC.

   Filipinos make up the largest ethnic minority group in Hawaiʻi, accounting for 25% of the state’s population. They also represent 23.4% of students in Hawaiʻi’s public schools. However, their enrollment in the University of Hawaiʻi (UH) system remains disproportionately low, comprising only 14% of the student body.

 Recognizing this disparity, Hawai‘i CC counselor and event organizer, Dr. Jeanne Batallones, developed "Abot Kamay na Pangarap" (A Dream Within Your Reach) — a Filipino parent and community outreach initiative. Inspired by a report revealing a 29% decline in Filipino student enrollment at Hawaiʻi CC following the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Batallones emphasizes the importance of closing the educational equity gap.

   “It is crucial to create culturally and linguistically responsive outreach and recruitment initiatives,” said Dr. Batallones. “Through these efforts, we hope to increase Filipino college enrollment, transfer rates, and degree completion, making higher education more accessible for Filipino students on Hawaiʻi Island and beyond.”

   The event will feature a keynote address by Allan Bartolome, a Hawaiʻi CC alumnus and Executive Aide to Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary Filipino lunch prepared by the esteemed Hawaiʻi CC Culinary Arts program.

   Tulungan sa Kolehiyo is made possible through funding provided by GEAR UP Hawaiʻi and support from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation. The event is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at https://go.hawaii.edu/bho

   For additional information, please contact Dr. Jeanne Batallones at 808-934-2558 or jbatallo@hawaii.edu. Visit the Hawai‘i CC website at www.hawaii.hawaii.edu.