#Hawaii Community College

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.

155 grads were celebrated during the Manono campus spring commencement ceremony in Hilo; 99 walked across stage during the Pālamanui campus ceremony in Waikōloa.

Since 2023, Hawaiʻi CC has donated more than 1,000 lbs of fresh produce from its Mauliola farm to the Hawaiʻi Food Basket.

Big Island college graduations are scheduled for May 10 and May 11.

Two of the finalists are from the Big Island.

The former dentist has his sights on becoming a master sommelier following graduation from Hawaiʻi CC in May.

Hawaii Community College is one of 17 associate’s degree granting institutions across the nation – out of more than 1,200 – to receive the recognition for the 2023-2024 academic year.