HILO, Hawai‘i — Hawai‘i Community College is celebrating a successful first year of its Marine Option Program (MOP), where students gained extraordinary hands-on experience through real-world research, primarily with endangered sea turtle health and population studies on Hawai‘i Island’s shores.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai‘i (JCCIH) presented a check for $10,000 to Hawai‘i Community College on Thursday in support of the college’s Culinary Arts Program. The donation, raised through the annual “A Taste of Hilo” fundraiser, will provide scholarships and program funding for culinary students. This year, 20 students received scholarships through the initiative.
The inaugural class of Hawai‘i Community College’s new butchery course at the Kō Education Center in Honoka‘a celebrated their graduation this week, marking a historic milestone as the first program of its kind in the state. This groundbreaking course represents a significant step forward in strengthening Hawai‘i’s local food systems by preparing a new generation of skilled professionals in sustainable meat processing.
Summer is the perfect time to fast-track your education and save money!
Tuition will match fall and spring semesters at just $131 per credit for Hawaiʻi residents and $345 per credit for non-residents, allowing students to save money, graduate faster, and explore new interests while staying on track academically.
Hawai‘i Community College is making a lasting impact on sustainable agriculture in Hawai‘i through its pioneering use of Korean natural farming (KNF). Since 2016, the college’s agriculture program has trained students in KNF techniques, producing nearly 100 graduates, some of whom are now actively revitalizing Hawai‘i’s farmlands with environmentally friendly methods.
Cathryn Krueger found her passion at Hawaiʻi Community College.
“When I took my first agriculture class, everything in my life changed,” said Krueger, who is Native Hawaiian. “I just fell in love with being in agriculture and working with the land.”
Hawai‘i Community College’s Tropical Ecosystem and Agroforestry Management (TEAM) Program marks its 25th anniversary in 2025. As the only program of its kind in the University of Hawai‘i’s community college system, the TEAM program plays a vital role in training local students for careers in conservation and natural resource management in Hawai‘i.
Honoka‘a, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Community College is proud to unveil the newly renovated Kō Education Center (KōEC), which now boasts two additional classrooms, a certified science lab, and a remodeled instructional kitchen. Alongside these upgrades, the college announces a robust slate of courses for Spring 2025, designed to make education more accessible to the North Hawai'i community.
Revitalized Facilities to Serve Students and the Community
The $4 million renovations, which are six years in the making, include:
Hawai‘i Community College proudly releases the names of the following students who have achieved Dean’s List honors for the Fall 2024 semester. The Dean’s List requires students to have completed 12 or more credits for a letter grade achieving a grade point average of at least 3.5 (B+) for the semester. The attached 293 students have attained this distinction. Please join us in congratulating them!
For over 25 years, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Hawai‘i (JCCIH) has been a vital partner for Hawai‘i Community College, providing over $200,000 in scholarships and program development through the annual “A Taste of Hilo” fundraiser. The event not only supports the college but also gives culinary students invaluable, hands-on experience by hosting food stations and showcasing their growing skillset.