Hawaiʻi Community College

Hawaiʻi Community College is a public community college in the State of Hawaii that serves the Island of Hawaiʻi and other islands as part of the University of Hawaiʻi System. The college offers career, technical, and liberal arts programs that connect to regional employers such as Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiʻi Department of Health, and cultural institutions including Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, ʻIolani Palace, and community organizations like Kamehameha Schools. It maintains relationships with federal agencies and service organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Geological Survey, United States Forest Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

History

Hawaiʻi Community College traces its origins to territorial vocational initiatives and World War II era programs connected to the Pearl Harbor attack aftermath, evolving through postwar expansion influenced by policies from the G.I. Bill, Hawaii Statehood processes, and statewide higher education reforms tied to the creation of the University of Hawaiʻi System. Throughout the late 20th century the college adapted curricula to regional needs shaped by events such as the eruption of Mauna Loa and Kīlauea activity, the growth of the tourism industry in Hawaii, and legislative changes from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. The institution collaborated with organizations including East–West Center, Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Hawaiʻi Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, and labor groups like the United Public Workers as it expanded vocational training, workforce development, and community outreach.

Campuses and Facilities

The college operates multiple campuses and instructional sites across the Island of Hawaiʻi and partners with facilities on neighboring islands, coordinating with entities such as Hilo Medical Center, Mānoa Observatory, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and cultural venues like Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park. Main campus buildings include studios, labs, and shops that interface with professional bodies such as the American Culinary Federation, American Welding Society, National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and accreditation agencies tied to the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. The campus infrastructure supports programs that work with Hawaiʻi Community Federal Credit Union, Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Telcom, and emergency services including Hawaiʻi Fire Department and Hawaii Police Department.

Academics and Programs

The college provides associate degrees and certificates in areas connected to industry partners like Prince Kūhiō Plaza employers, the Hilo Medical Center, and tourism operators including Hilton Hotels & Resorts and Outrigger Hotels and Resorts. Academic divisions include applied sciences, industrial trades, health technologies, hospitality, and liberal arts with transfer pathways to University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and out-of-state institutions such as University of Phoenix and Hawaii Pacific University. Specialized training aligns with standards from national and professional organizations including the National League for Nursing, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, American Welding Society, Society of American Foresters, and Project Management Institute. Programs incorporate practices from cultural partners such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, Honolulu Museum of Art, and language initiatives like those connected to ʻAha Pūnana Leo.

Student Life and Services

Student supports include counseling, veteran services liaising with the Department of Veterans Affairs, financial aid aligned with Pell Grant rules, and career placement that coordinates with employers including Hawaiian Electric Industries, Young Brothers, Limited, and Matson, Inc.. Extracurricular opportunities connect students with civic and cultural groups such as Hawaiian Civic Club, Hawaiʻi Mountain Guides, Nā Hōkū Hanohano related arts organizations, and sporting events governed by bodies like the National Junior College Athletic Association. Health and wellness services refer students to providers including Hilo Medical Center, Hawaiʻi Department of Health, and community clinics connected to Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi. Student governance interacts with statewide student organizations such as the University of Hawaiʻi Student Caucus and nonprofit networks like Aloha United Way.

Partnerships and Workforce Development

The college maintains workforce partnerships with public and private employers including Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiʻi County, Hawaiian Airlines, Matson, Inc., Young Brothers, Limited, and federal research agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and United States Geological Survey. It participates in regional economic initiatives alongside Hawaiʻi Technology Development Venture, Hawaiʻi Strategic Development Corporation, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, and workforce boards including the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Board. Collaborative projects have been funded or supported by foundations and grant-makers like the Ford Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and local philanthropic organizations such as Hawaiʻi Community Foundation. Industry advisory councils include representatives from Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, American Culinary Federation, American Welding Society, and health systems such as Hilo Medical Center and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health.

Category:Universities and colleges in Hawaii