During the campus visit to Maui College, the spotlight was on the dynamic entrepreneurship program that stood out for its innovative approach and real-world applicability. The visit showcased state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge technology, fostering an environment conducive to creativity and business scaling. An engaging session led by experienced faculty highlighted the program's emphasis on hands-on learning, mentorship opportunities, and industry partnerships, providing students with a well-rounded education in business development and entrepreneurial skills. The interactive discussions and networking events with successful alumni and local entrepreneurs further demonstrated the program's commitment to empowering students to become future leaders and innovators in the business world. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada
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During the campus visit to Kapiolani Community College (Kapiolani CC), the vibrant atmosphere and innovative educational opportunities were immediately apparent. The agriculture program stood out with its hands-on approach, showcasing sustainable farming practices and cutting-edge research in tropical agriculture. The Culinary Innovation Center impressed visitors with state-of-the-art facilities, where students were engaged in culinary arts, food science, and culinary innovation projects. The visit provided a comprehensive understanding of Kapiolani CC's commitment to excellence in agriculture and culinary education, making it a standout institution for aspiring professionals in these fields. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada Our visit to Leeward Community College was a feast for the senses. "The Pearl," the culinary program's fine dining gem, showcased the students' culinary expertise charmingly and professionally. The campus was a canvas of vibrant experiences – from an on-campus museum weaving innovation and culture to a hands-on Ti Leaf Lei-making session with Kumu Momi, promoting Native Hawaiian artistry and connection. Community murals adorned the campus, embodying unity and diversity. Leeward Community College emerged as a culinary hub and a dynamic space that seamlessly blends excellence, cultural appreciation, and community engagement. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada Embarking on a journey to Pālamanui College on Hawai'i Island was a captivating experience that unfolded against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes. As we set foot on this beautiful campus nestled amidst rare trees around volcanic rock, the allure of Pālamanui became immediately apparent. The distinctive surroundings, with unique flora set against the backdrop of volcanic formations, created a truly one-of-a-kind atmosphere fostering a sense of tranquility and inspiration. Our visit included a delightful exploration of the modern facilities and state-of-the-art learning spaces, reflecting Pālamanui's commitment to providing an enriching educational experience. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada Our recent visit to the Kauai Community College campus, nestled in the charming town of Lihue, was a testament to the island's educational richness. Exploring the campus against the backdrop of Lihue's beauty was an invigorating experience. Our time spent here further cemented our commitment as Wo Learning Champions to support and advocate for educational opportunities that honor the cultural heritage of the islands while fostering progressive learning initiatives. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada Our visit to Windward Community College's campus on the beautiful side of O'ahu was nothing short of inspiring. As Wo Learning Champions, our journey was brimming with curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. Surrounded by the lush greenery and the breathtaking Ko'olau Mountains, the vibrant energy of student and faculty life harmonized with the tranquility of nature, creating an ideal environment for learning. Aloha Nui Loa!
Hawai‘i CC: Ian Hirakawa & Mari Giel Honolulu CC: Tiani Akeo-Basques & Drake Zintgraff Kapi‘olani CC: Maegen Walker & Chad Yasuda Kaua'i CC: Eric San George & Kailana Soto Leeward CC: Adam Halemano & Michele Mahi Maui College: Juli Patao & Morgan Andaluz Windward CC: Lisamarie Bensman & Miki Cook Convener : Joyce Yamada For the final meeting of the Wo Learning Champions Generation XIV, Honolulu Community College welcomed us to their Marine Education Training Center (METC). During our visit, we had the privilege of sailing on their waʻa (canoes). Thank you for this wonderful experience!
Aloha, Hawai‘i CC: Sherise Tiogangco & Tanya Dean Honolulu CC: Kaʻiulani Murphy & Gretel Sia Kapi‘olani CC: Jerilynn Enokawa & Kim Koide Iwao Kaua'i CC: Jeffrey Anderson Leeward CC: Kazuko Nakamitsu & Christina Keaulana Maui College: Liana Horovitz & Paul Thornton Windward CC: Michelle Noe Tupou & Kevin Takayama Convener : Joyce Yamada Wo Learning Champions Generation XIV got off to a unique start in 2020 amidst the closure of the UHCC campuses statewide. We finally resurrected the ever-important campus visits this Fall 2022-Spring 2023. Although we can not capture ALL the amazing things we learned and experienced together, below are just a FEW of the highlights thus far. Aloha, Hawai‘i CC: Sherise Tiogangco & Tanya Dean Honolulu CC: Kaʻiulani Murphy & Gretel Sia Kapi‘olani CC: Jerilynn Enokawa & Kim Koide Iwao Kaua'i CC: Jeffrey Anderson & Mahiʻai Naihe Leeward CC: Kazuko Nakamitsu & Christina Keaulana Maui College: Liana Horovitz & Paul Thornton Windward CC: Michelle Noe Tupou & Kevin Takayama Convener : Joyce Yamada Kaua'i Community College'Ulutopia is a research field at Kaua'i Community College for Breadfruit where almost all of the field activities such as planting, irrigating and data recording are implemented with the participation of undergraduate students. WoLC had the opportunity to pick our own 'ulu and take them home with us! Kapi'olani Community CollegeAt Kapi'olani CC we got to say our official farewells to our fearless leader Louise Pagotto and plant an 'ulu tree in her honor to symbolize how her influence will continue to bear fruit on the campus. WoLC was also treated to some hands on massages from KapCC students in the Massage Therapy Program. Maui CollegeAt Maui College, WoLC had the opportunity to create kapa, a bark cloth made with a felting technique of soaking and beating the woody fibers and then smoothing them out by hand into sheets. Intricate designs were pounded or block stamped into the cloth. Leeward Community College At Leeward CC, we toured the Shade House which includes some of the rarest of our endangered native plant species. It serves as an education/conservation propagation center for the Horticulture, Botany, Environmental Science, Agriculture, Biology and Hawaiian Studies classes. Leeward CC faculty and staff donated local flora and one of our sustainable agriculture students extracted a banana tree for use as the base to make our very own 100% locally sourced native flora centerpieces. Windward Community CollegeWoLC were treated with an amazing tour of Windward CC's state-of-the-art library complete with a green screen, podcast technology, and other AV equipment.
Story and photos by Jamie Sickel, Kapi‘olani CC We returned to Maui this month for what turned out to be a beautifully sunny day of reflection and progress on our Wo work at UHMC - mahalo to Whitney and Jeff for planning our day and hosting us again! Our day began with an insightful breakfast and talk story with Deans Kahele Dukelow (Arts and Sciences, Wo Gen VII) and Laura Lees Nagle (Career and Technical Education). They shared Ka‘ao Framework for student success, which consists of 4 parts, taken from the story of Maui: Hua (your "why", motivation or catalyst for transformation), Ha‘alele (a departure from the community - into this new college journey), Huaka‘i (a series of "lifes and deaths" - the challenges you confront and how your grow from them), and Ho‘i (a reintegration back into the community - how you will give back). Kahele and Laura shared their own Hua - what motivates and drives them - and their journey to their current leadership positions. Afterward, we headed out to ‘Īao Valley, where Neil Stotts (Wo Gen XII) served as our guide for the morning. He shared with us his own reflections on his journey at UHMC, specifically through the tenure and promotion process, and how he felt that parts of who he was in the past had to die in order for him to grow. We were encouraged to reflect on our own hua and huaka‘i as we wandered through our beautiful surrounds.
As we walked down to where we began, we came upon a circle of rocks where we gathered to reflect and share our hua and our thoughts from the morning. I've been reflecting quite a bit since this conversation about my own purpose, my journey, and the parts of myself I might need to let go of in order to move forward and grow.
In the not-so-distant future, we will pass the torch to a new generation of Wo Learning Champions. We have just one more meeting left to our generation alone before the final, all-generation Wo gathering that will mark the end of our time together as current Wo Learning Champions. I will try not to focus on the end, but remain present during the remainder of our journey...what an amazing journey it is!
Story and photos by Jamie Sickel, Gen XIII, Kapi‘olani CC
Video by Kimberlee Bassford, Gen XIII, Windward CC
Happy new year! Our first gathering of the new decade was at Windward CC. We were all abuzz and excited to be reuniting after the holiday break. Our morning began with a breakfast of fresh fruit and baked goods and a seriously refreshing and inspiring talk story sesh with Windward CC chancellor, Ardis Eschenberg, who shared her journey into administration and to Windward CC.
Ardis, much like our Wo coordinator and Kapi‘olani CC chancellor Louise Pagotto, echoed what we also previously heard from Leeward CC chancellor, Carlos Peñaloza - she never intended to become an administrator. I've found this a common admission among our leaders who most selflessly and passionately serve. Ardis spoke openly about the challenges she faces as an administrator as well as the affirmations she has experienced that tell her that her service - as part of a dedicated and supportive community at her campus - is positively impacting lives. She encouraged us to consider how we can lead - from any position - and effect positive change in support of our students, our colleagues and our communities.
After an energizing breakfast and conversation, we headed out for some rewarding physical labor! Hawaiian Studies associate professor Kalawai‘a Moore introduced us to the Hawaiian Studies Mala (garden), where we would be getting a hands-on orientation to uhau humu pōhaku, or Hawaiian dry-stack masonry. Kalawai‘a divided us up into three teams: 1 team was in charge of stringing a line to which we would align our pa pōhaku (rock wall); another team would dig the trench in which our foundation stones, or niho, would be placed, and a third team was in charge of selecting these stones for transport to the site. It was hard work (well...for the trench-digging team!), but it was also gratifying.
Kalawai‘a explained to us that the large foundation stones are called niho (teeth) because they sit in the trench like teeth in gums, anchoring the wall into the earth. After the trench was prepped and a sufficient number of niho were ready for placement, we worked to identify the best position and move them into the trench. This was no mean feat, and it took a concerted team effort (with a lot of encouragement and correction from Kalawai‘a) to get the pōhaku into place. As I looked around us at the thoughtfully constructed pa pōhaku made by students, staff and faculty, I had an entirely new appreciation for the knowledge, strength and teamwork that went into these structures.
After a quick clean-up, we headed over to Hale ‘Iolani to drop in on Jordan Souza and his students in the woodcarving studio. We began in the classroom, which was full of impressive carvings and projects from Windward CC students and faculty. Jordan talked about the focus on Hawaiian cultural woodworking and wood carving in the classes he teaches. He showed us not only a variety of carving types, but mediums as well, including shell, rock, coconut and many types of wood traditionally used in Hawaiian woodworking (which Jordan emphasized extend well beyond koa!). In fact, he discussed a number of native trees traditionally used in Hawaiian tools and resources that are threatened or in danger of dying out. He stressed the importance of efforts to preserve these trees, a point he emphasizes in his teaching as well.
From the classroom, we moved to the studio to see where the magic happens. Here, Jordan explained more about the program and how he aims to strike a balance between honoring and teaching Hawaiian culture and being inclusive of all learners. The nature of the woodworking courses are so multi-faceted - they foster the development of not only woodworking and carving skills, but critical thinking, design, research, and an understanding of relevant language and vocabulary as well as cultural, environmental, community and global issues. We also visited the storage area where a variety of woods, including rare and extinct specimens, are stored, along with the tools, both modern commercial and handmade by the students and faculty. From there, we made our way outside, where the students and faculty in the program have really made their own special space. They really have a special community in which they cultivate their own plants, store and prep wood donations, and serve as caretakers of the space. Jordan emphatically encouraged all of us to return any time, noting that this is a community space and we would always be welcome. It was obvious that this group is more than just a college class or program - it's an ‘ohana.
After our inspiring morning with Windward admin, faculty and students, we moved back to our home base for a beautiful lunch, courtesy of Chef Dan Swift and the Windward CC Uala Leaf Cafe. During and after lunch, we discussed some proposals, made decisions on applications for Wo funding and dug further into planning for our project #whyUHCC, which now has a dedicated page here on the site and will be rolled out to our campuses soon and via social media (follow us on Instagram!) at the Hawai‘i Student Success Institute (HISSI).
It was an uplifting, energizing and productive meeting, and I left refreshed, a little muddy and full of gratitude!
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