On Thursday, March 1, 2018, faculty, guests, and community partners gathered to honor distinguished alumni. This yearʻs event, Celebrate! 2018, took place at the Pomaikaʻi Ballrooms at the Dole Cannery.
The following alumni were honored:
Robert “Bobby” Ayonon, Apprenticeship RAC, 1983
Jerald “Kimo” Alama Keaulana, Liberal Arts, 1984
Kurt Kendro, Administration of Justice, 1987
Manuel P. Neves, Fire Science, 1984
Robert Silva, Automotive Technology, 2004
Deborah Lee Keala Spencer-Chun, Liberal Arts, 1985
Arthur Blasie Tolentino, Sheetmetal and Plastics Technology, 1985
Attendees had a wonderful time with dinner, music, congratulatory speeches, and a silent auction. Proceeds from the auction went to the Honolulu CC general scholarship endowment fund.
Achieve the Dream is a wonderful collaborative event that unites more than 2,000 community college practitioners, policy makers, funders, and partners in the commitment of student success. Dream provides an opportunity to connect and share knowledge with colleagues on issues, such as building pathways, advising, improving pedagogy and curriculum.
The conference also provides an opportunity to learn about Dream’s initiatives and Open Educational resources (OER). Over 70 sessions are created with fundamentals of institutional capacities in mind. At this event held in Nashville, Tennessee, from February 20-23, Hawaii was represented in a 20/20 presentation as well as a learning workshop.
For the first time, ATD held a 20/20 presentation given by Brenda Coston from Language Arts and Ming Chi (Coco) from Math. The 20/20 presentation, Embedded Tutors: A Strategy for Student Engagement and Academic Achievement, revealed tips for student success by using tutors effectively in the classroom.
The next presentation involved a workshop given by Faith Saito and Kalei Lum-Ho. This workshop entitled: Kukala’ula: “Growing” Native Hawaiian Scientists revealed the importance of teaching Hawaiian culture to students while promoting sustainable living in Hawaii.
These two presentations were so successful, Hawaii was asked to present again at next year’s conference to be held in Long Beach, California.
The Veteran’s Resource Center (VRC) opened its doors on April 5 for the HonCC community. The VRC will function as a relaxing space exclusively for the military-affiliated (veterans, active duty, reserve/guard, dependents and spouses).
The VRC will also serve as a hub of various information pertaining to Veterans Affairs and military education benefits. The VRC is located in Building 5, Room 140 and will be open on Tuesdays and Wedensdays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and on Thursdays via appointment. For more information, contact VA Counselors Scot Parry or Ralph Gallogly, or just stop by. Check back for more information.
On February 27, HonCC’s Automotive Technology celebrated alumni Dansen “Kaleo” Carvalho Jr. for winning the 2018 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. According to NAPA, criteria for contenders are (but not limited to) being an AutoCare technician, being a Master ASE Technician and community/industry involvement. For more information, see the NAPA ASE Award website at https://napaaseaward.com/nominate-a-technician.
Kaleo obtained his Advanced Level Specialist, Master Automobile Technician, Medium/Heavy Truck Technician, and Undercar Specialist certificates while attending HonCC. Each certification test ranges from $100 to $120 to take. Kaleo passed thirteen of them.
“Keep your mind stuck on automotive and don’t steer away,” Kaleo advised to new and upcoming Automotive Technicians. Kaleo currently works with his father at Dansen’s Auto Repair & Towing in Waianae.
Kaleo said that working in a shop is a different environment from a class setting. In the classroom, instructors are available for assistance, and there is no time constraint, Kaleo explained. However, in the shop with his father, things are different. “My dad had no patience,” he said. Kaleo was expected to complete a task “1000 times over, correctly and fast.”
NAPA also awarded Dansen’s Auto Repair & Towing with the NAPA AutoCare Center of the Year. According to NAPAʻs website, contending shops are pooled from across the nation and judged on a multiple requirements, such as; ASE certification types, the trained staff, and online/social media presence. (https://napaaseaward.com/nominate-a-shop)
Finally, Kaleo said to succeed in the Automotive field; “Forget everything else and do automotive; When you wake up, think automotive. When you eat lunch, think automotive. When you go to sleep, think automotive.”
Various Student Leaders from the University of Hawaii’s community colleges honed their leadership skills at Ho’opili Hou 2018. The conference was from February 8 to February 11, and was it held at Brigham Young University in Laie. The focus of Ho’opili Hou is on the developmental process of becoming a leader and characteristics that can be shaped to help improve oneself.
The activities were collaborative, focusing on teamwork and communication, such as shaping rope into a star while blindfolded and taking turns drawing pieces of an “ideal campus.” Multiple presentations were geared toward understanding personal and organizational mentalities; like personality styles or club management techniques. Other activities included a Malama ‘Aina day at a local Heiau and visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center or watching ‘Ha: Breath of Life’ show.
