While its general objective for all students is to develop their knowledge, skills, and attitudes so that they may become effective members of society and active participants in the democratic way of life, Hawai'i Community College does have some major specific educational objectives. These are to provide students with curricula and activities:

• in general education, to aid their intellectual, social, cultural and personal development.
  
• in transfer education, for the first two years of work in liberal arts and professional fields.
  
• in developmental education, to improve skills in reading, writing, mathematics, speaking, and studying.
  
• in career and technical education, through which individuals are brought to a level of competence commensurate with their innate potential, their interests, and the employment needs of the community. This activity includes offering apprenticeships and providing upgrading activities for the employed.
  

History
The forerunner of the College was the Hawai'i Vocational School, established in 1941 by an act of the Territorial Legislature. Its prime responsibility was to provide vocational education for the youth of the island of Hawai'i. Trade programs offered when the school opened were Automotive Mechanics, Carpentry, Dressmaking, Machine Shop, and Sheet Metal & Welding.

The period following World War II saw the growth of new programs designed to meet the expanding needs of business and industry. In 1947, a Diesel Mechanics program was started. Architectural Drafting began in 1951; Food Service in 1952; and Electricity in1955. In 1956, with the advancement in technology and the expansion of educational opportunities into broader fields of technical training; the institution was renamed the Hawai'i Technical School. New programs were added later, Business Education 1958, and the Automotive Body Repair & Painting, Electronics, and Practical Nursing programs in1966.

Under the Enabling Act passed by the 1969 State Legislature (Act 166, SLH), the administration of the school was transferred from the Department of Education to the University of Hawai'i in July 1969, and was renamed the Hawai'i Community College effective May 1970. The Agricultural program began in 1972, the associate of science degree Nursing program in 1974, and the Early Childhood Education program in 1987.

From 1970 to 1990 the College was a part of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. At present the College is one of seven community colleges in the State. Approximately 2,098 students were registered in the College's credit program in the fall of 2000.

Accreditation
Hawaii Community College is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. To review the most current accreditation information, click on the October 2003 - Midterm Accreditation Report.

Programs, Degrees, and Certificates Offered
Hawai'i Community College offers over 30 Degree, Certificate, and Non-credit programs. Students can choose to begin a 4-year baccalaureate degree, and save 25-60% on in-state tuition costs by taking undergraduate liberal arts courses offered here. These general and pre-professional students may earn an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree.

Career and technical majors may earn an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree, an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), an Associate in Technical Studies (A.T.S.), or a Certificate of Achievement (C.A.) in one of the 20 career and technical programs listed below.

Certificates of Completion (C.C.) are also available in Nurse's Aide, Residential Care Home Operator, Hotel Operations, Human Services and Food Services. A variety of non-credit programs, supported by the College, are offered through the Office of Continuing Education.

		Program	Degree(s)
		Accounting Administration of Justice Agriculture Architectural Engineering and CAD Technologies Auto Body Repair & Painting Automotive Mechanics Technology Business Technology Carpentry Cisco Networking Academy Program Cooperative Vocational Education Diesel Mechanics Digital Media Arts Early Childhood Education Electrical Installation & Maintenance Electronics Technology Environment Studies Food Service Hawaiian Lifestyles Hospitality and Tourism Hula Track (HLSH) Human Services Information Technology Lawai‘a Track (HLSL) Liberal Arts Mahi‘ai Track (HLSM) Marketing Marine Option Program Nursing (A.S. Degree) Nursing (Practical) Nursing (Care Home Operator) Substance Abusee Counseling Tropical Forest Ecosystem Management Machine Welding and Industrial Mechanics Technologies	A.A.S. A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.C. C.C.,    C.A.,    A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. A.A.S. C.A. C.C.,    C.A.,    A.A.S. A.A.S. C.C.,    C.A.,    A.A.S. A.A.S. C.C. C.A.,    A.S. A.A.S. A.A. A.A.S. C.A.,    A.A.S. C.C. A.S. C.A. C.C. C.C. C.A.,    A.S. C.C.,    C.A.,    A.A.S.

The following are detailed descriptions of the degrees offered:

Certificate of Completion (C.C.)
A college credential for students who have successfully completed designated short-term career and technical education credit courses or course sequences that provide them with job upgrading or entry-level skills. These courses or course sequences may not exceed 24 credit hours and may not be less than 9 credit hours. The issuance of a Certificate of Completion requires that the student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or better for all courses required in the certificate.

Certificate of Achievement (C.A.)
A college credential for students who have successfully completed designated medium-term career and technical education credit courses, or course sequences that provide them with job upgrading or entry-level skills. These courses or course sequences may not exceed 45 credit hours (unless external requirement exceed this number) and may not be less than 24 credit hours. The issuance of a Certificate of Achievement requires that the student must earn a GPA 2.0 or better for all courses required in the certificate. The final 12 semester hours of work must be completed at Hawai'i Community College. All students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Furthermore, for a certificate in Practical Nursing, a "C" or better must be earned in all courses; while in Business Education, a "C" or better must be earned in prescribed major courses.

Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree
A two-year Baccalaureate direct transfer liberal arts degree consisting of at least 60 semester credits at the 100 and 200 levels.

Associate in Science (A.S.) degree
A two year Technical-Occupational-Professional degree, consisting of at least 60 semester credits, which provides students with skills and competencies for gainful employment, entirely at the Baccalaureate level.

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree
A two year career and technical-Professional degree, consisting of at least 60 semester credits, which provides students with skills and competencies for gainful employment. This degree is not intended nor designed for transfer directly into a Baccalaureate program. A.A.S. programs may, however, include some Baccalaureate level course offerings.

Associate in Technical Studies (A.T.S.) degree
A two year Technical-Occupational-Professional degree, consisting of at least 60 semester credits, which provides students with skills and competencies for gainful employment. This degree must be customized; using courses from two or more existing approved programs and is intended to target emerging career areas, which cross-traditional boundaries. This degree must have educational objectives that are clearly defined by business and industry, and employers who have near immediate needs for specialized training for a limited number of employees. This degree must have advanced approval, and cannot be requested based upon previously completed coursework.