Kala March 2013

A Student Publication of the University of Hawai`i • Honolulu Community College • March 2013

Report puts HonCC on notice School must fix several problems by October

By Mathew Ursua

Ka La editor

Honolulu Community College has received a warning that it must correct a number of administrative deficiencies. Failure to fix the problems could ultimately result in the school being put on probation or even losing accreditation.

In a letter to the school in February, the school’s accrediting agency said HonCC must complete a follow-up report by October that shows it has resolved the deficiencies.

The Western Association of

Schools and Colleges issued its warning letter after studying the school’s self-evaluation report and visiting the campus in October.

Such warnings are issued, the group said, when a school deviates from requirements, standards or policies “to an extent that gives concern to the Commission.”

Honolulu Community College was the only school in the UH system to receive such a warning this year.

See Warning, Page 2

New dean

Campus cats

Dean's list

Katy Ho, the new dean of student services, wants to hear your concerns.

Page 8

A student leader makes an impassioned appeal: Please don't feed the campus cats.

Are you on the Dean's List. Are your friends?

Check out the whole list.

Page 3

Page 7

Ka La has been voted the best college newspaper by the Hawaii Publishers Assoc.

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 2

March 2013

Ka Lā is the campus newspaper of Honolulu Community College. Ka Lā publishes 2,000 copies every month during the Spring and Fall Semesters.

Ka Lā and all campus publications are funded by student publication fees and advertising. All materials published in Ka Lā may not be reproduced or reused without permission of the HCC Student Media Board.

Ka Lā is published under the supervision of the HonCC Student Media Board: Chairperson Jennifer Kakio Publications Director Mathew Ursua

Ka La photo by Mathew Ursua Buyers were lined up by 7 a.m. on Valentine's Day to await their chances of getting a metal rose, prepared by students in the sheet metal and plastics program at HonCC.

HCC's 'forever roses' a big hit

By Ka La staff

Editor

Once again, Honolulu Community College’s Forever Roses were a big Valentine’s Day hit on campus.

Students from the Sheetmetal and Plastics program made the roses and sold them out in a matter of hours on Valentine’s Day. A hundred people were waiting in line to buy one even before the doors opened at 9:30 a.m.

It all started about seven years ago when a Honolulu Community College student challenged Associate Professor Danny Aiu to make a sheet metal rose.

As a result HonCC has a great fundraising plan which sells the roses on Valentine's Day for the sheetmetal program.

Students in the program spent four chal-

Ieva Bytautaite Faculty Advisers Emily Kukulies Mike Leidemann Staff members Hillary Brown Misty Chiechi Delia Fabro Sohany Figueroa Duke Komomu, Barrett Maioho Amanda Rico Noahlani Siaosi Mathew Ursua March 2013 Contact Information hcckala@gmail.com Student Media Board Building 2, Room 115 Phone: (808) 845-9213 Submissions Ka Lā invites letters to the editor, articles, events, advertising, and classifieds. Ka Lā reserves the right to refuse or edit submissions. Submissions must be signed and include a daytime telephone number and email address.

Editors and writers are responsible for content, which does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HCC faculty or staff.

lenging days creating this year’s “forever roses.”

The roses were made of sheet metal and copper.

"They won’t die in a few days, like real flowers,” said Keene Inafuku, a student. “The hardest part is to make it look like a flower,” said Inafuku. “Bending edges is the most tedious part.”

“I like working with my hands, it helps me design and fabricate,” said Josie Villaro, a sheet metal student who was making roses a day before they went on sale.

These sheet metal roses sold for $5 each. This year there were an estimated 350 roses. New this year were copper roses, which sold for $15.

Journalism 205 students Misty Chiechi, Sohany Figueroa, Duke Komomua and Amanda Riccontributed to this story.

Accreditation report puts school on warning Continued from Page 2

School officials emphasized that the warning does not immediately jeopardize the college as an accredited school nor jeopardize degrees and certificates that it grants.

However, the report says the school must address significant problems, some of which were first noted as far back as 2006, before its accreditation standard

can be “reaffirmed.”

The school was found lacking in areas of program review, distance education and general education.

“I am confident that these deficiencies can be corrected before October 2013, as required by the Commission,” Chancellor Erika Lacro said in an email to students.

Student president Kaleo Gagne said he

doesn’t think the college will lose its accreditation.

Lacro has scheduled a open meeting with students for 3 p.m.

March to discuss the report. Gagne said he has questions of his own.

He wants more specific details on the college’s timeline, and he wants to be assured that students will be represented in the process.

Lacro sent students a letter in a mass email on Feb. 19 explaining the situation.

“Please know that we are accredited during the time period we are on warning as we work to correct the deficiencies noted by the Commission,” Lacro said.

The college will have to respond to the commission with a follow up report by mid-October.

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 3

March 2013

Please, don't feed me

A concerned student pleads on behalf of the keiki

By Kaleo Gagne ASUH-HCC President

I have a concern that I would like to express as the student body president of Honolulu Community College.

On Thursday, Feb. 7, I witnessed a faculty member carrying a white plastic container out of Building 5. I saw this individual dump wet cat food in front of the benches that are adjacent to Building 6, the administration building. Within less than 30 seconds, about 60 cats came from out of nowhere. It was like these stray cats knew it was dinner time.

I was in shock, but it got me thinking. With all these cats around campus, how unhealthy is it for our campus and what ramifications can it cause for our college?

While contemplating this issue, I kept thinking about our keiki in the Early Childhood Children’s Center.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, I contacted the Children’s Center site coordinator, Lisa Yogi. I explained

Speak up We want to know what you think of the campus cats.

Tell us what you think needs to be done to solve the problem on campus.

Send your comments to hcckala@mail.com and we'll print your comments in our next issue. to her my concerns about what I saw.

Yogi, who has two cats of her own, said, “I love cats, but not at the expense of the children in the early childhood children’s center.”

She further went on to say, “Recently, we have noticed our children have been bitten by fleas.

Parents have expressed their concern. We think they may be getting the flea bites as they walk with their parents to their offices or cars.

We are concerned that the fleas

could easily invade our classrooms and playground.”

As we continued with our conversation, I wanted to know if there were other cat-related issues that could be of concern for our keiki.

One health issue that is very much a concern is toxoplasmosis, a parasite that has the highest infection in hot, humid climates and lower altitudes. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states: “Cats play an important role in the spread of toxoplasmosis. They become infected by eating infected rodents, birds, or other small animals. The parasite is then passed in the cat's feces in an oocyst form, which is microscopic. Kittens and cats can shed millions of oocysts in their feces for as long as 3 weeks after infection. A toxoplasmainfected cat that is shedding the parasite in its feces contaminates the litter box. If the cat is allowed outside, it can contaminate the soil or water in the environment as well.”

After reading this, I felt it was my duty to express my concern and to pass this information on to faculty, staff and students. The ramifications would be detrimental if this were to become an issue here on campus. It could cause lawsuits for Honolulu Community College, or possibly affect the relicensing of the early childhood keiki center.

And most of all, it could affect our keiki. I can’t imagine what would happen if one of our keiki in the children center came down with this infection, because of an undeveloped immune system.

My job is to be the voice for students, and for our children in the keiki center. I am their voice as well. We need to protect them, because they are our future students of Honolulu Community College.

So I am respectfully asking you to please stop feeding the cats, so our school can be a safe place for everyone.

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 4

March 2013

The way eye see it Noahlani Siaosi Naked girls, under-dressed guys, and tons of cleavage are probably what you will see on TV, the web, and in real life.

According to Teen Health and the Media, two out of three shows that air on TV contain sexual content. The term “sex sells” may actually be finding a long term home here in America. Bu with all the sexual references we see on TV, does it shape the view that we as a nation feel about the relationship between a male and female?

I have plenty of guy friends.

For some reason, I easily make companionship with males.

(Not sure if it’s good or bad.)

All throughout the day, guys -half of whom I consider family -- are constantly dropping by the office to say hi or bring me something. For me, the term “bro” is highly used in conversation with them. When I say bro, I mean that there will be no kind of future relations beyond us. To others, it may not look that way.

My co-workers are constantly telling me that I have so many guys coming to visit.

One of my co-workers even went as far as to ask me if have I slept with any of them yet.

It got me thinking: Is this the view that society has of guys and girls who are really just friends? Do we have to be doing something sexual to be friends?

Apparently, some of my co-workers think so .They feel that at some point in the relationship I have with these guys, the guy either is attracted to me or I am attracted to them. I totally disagree.

But then again, am I blind to seeing that they might actually have interest in me because I look at them as brothers?

I say no. I know where I stand in my relationship with them. (And I can only speak for myself.) I guess I will never really know because I won’t ever ask them how they once felt or feel about me now.

But it doesn’t matter to me because friendship is all I really want. So to all my readers out there, I ask if it is possible for a guy and a girl to become close friends without feeling some type of sexual attraction to each other at one point in time?

Year of the snake Honolulu Community College students celebrated the start of the lunar new year in February with a variety of campus activities including lion dances and using chopsticks to pick up a grain of rice.

Photos courtesy of Student Life & Development staff

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 5

Let's get fit!

Ka La photos by Angelina Peralta

FEBRUARY 2013

Bootcamp, Biggest Loser help students get fit and healthy If getting fit was part of your New Year's resolution now is the time to join Student Life and Development bootcamp classes every Wednesday in front of the SLD office.

Emily Boll of Boot Camp Hawaii leads the bootcamp with various cardio, weight and stretching exercises.

Best of all, it is completely free, and water is provided during every workout session.

An educational session about healthy eating, staying active and hydation is held prior to every workout.

The Biggest Loser competition is also under way! If you want to join, come by SLD for more info. It is too late to be eligible for the grand prize, but if you join now, you can still enter to win small prizes.

If you're signed up, you can weigh in every week using SLD's scale which also measures BMI,body fat percentage, body age, skeletal muscle percentage, resting metabolism, and vascular fat levels.

SLD has weight logs available so you can log your weight loss. You can also pick up packets which include a few weeks menu plans and recipes.

First, always eat breakfast.

This may be difficult when you're rushing out the door to get to that 8 a.m. classes, but grabbing a granola bar or banana goes a long way in keeping you from overeating throughout the day.

Also, never skip meals.

Again, the typical day of a college students is usually nothing but typical, but you always have time to grab a healthy salad or sandwich from the dining hall.

For those late-night cravings during all-nighters, try healthier alternatives to your favorite late-night foods.

Keep things like pre-cut vegetables and fruit, nuts, pita bread or string cheese on hand so you aren't tempted to buy unhealthy snacks. If nothing else, keep these three things in mind when choosing foods: moderation, variety and balance. Try keeping a good balance of dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and protein every day.

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 6

School calendar Spring 2013 March 1. Excellence in Education Conference. (non-instructional day).

Last day to submit Fall 2012 incomplete make-up work to instructors.

March 6. Wili Leis With Aunty Miranda 1 p.m. Bldg 20, Rm 2.

March 8. Study Strategies Workshop 9 a.m. Bldg 20, Rm 2.

March 9. Wahi Pana: Mariner's Ridge Hike. 9 a.m.

March 12. Lomi Workshop 1 p.m. Bldg 20, Rm 2.

March 13. KCC Nursing Session at HonCC 9 a.m.

Bldg. 6, Room 101.

March 13. Potluck Pa'ina: Sushi, 11 a.m. Bldg 20, Rm 2.

March 19. Easter egg hunt for Keiki Hau’oli Center students.

March 21. Drop Period ends. Last day to drop/ withdraw with a “W” grade.

March 25-29. Spring recess. No classes.

March 26. Prince Kuhio Day. April 1. Last day to change major for Fall 2013 early registration.

April 8. Registration for summer/fall 2013 classes begins.

May 10. Last day of classes.

May 2-3. Study period. No classes, no exams.

Mary 4-10. Final exam period.

May 10. Commencement ceremony at Waikiki Shell.

May 13. Faculty deadline to submit grades for Spring 2013.

Announcements The Student Media Board’s digital signage program is accepting submissions through email: hccsigns@ hawaii.edu. Signs should be submitted in 8.5 by 11inch PDF format with a simple design and message.

March 2013

Cafe staff serves meals, charm

By Barrett Maioho Ka La staff writer

Being no larger than a football field, Honolulu Community College's cafeteria in no way equates to the size of its heart, the cafeteria staff.

Although in constant use, the cafeteria still holds a quaint charm and comfort, as well as a a relaxed feeling and atmosphere.

Providing a pleasant place to dine, the Boulevard Island Cafe is maintained by a loyal and friendly staff, including chefs, line cooks, servers, and cashiers, all bustling about their daily routines.

In a late afternoon in February, students ordering and paying for food all looked to be happily eating or busy with schoolwork as one would expect to see in any school cafeteria.

Standing behind the the counter, serving lunch to students, was Miss L, who asked that her full name not be used in this story.

Born in Honolulu and living in Kalihi, Miss L has been working for HonCC's cafeteria for a couple of years now. Her responsibilities include cooking breakfast and certain items on the grill, as well as serving customers.

Ka La photo by JuHYuN IM Workers in the Boulevard Island Cafe strive to keep it friendly and bustling throughout the day.

Always smiling and accommodating, Miss L says that she likes her bosses and the customers at HonCC. However, she says, their equipment needs replacing and the cafeteria could use an airconditioning unit.

After receiving their food from Miss L, students take their tray over to the register to pay. One of the supervisors for the new company that runs the cafeteria is Ryan Rabe, who also works as a cashier.

Sitting behind his register and laughing with his cocashier, Rabe seemed very

light-hearted as he went about his business, ringing up students while talking story with his co-worker Doreen.

Rabe was born in Honolulu and now lives in Kaimuki. After high school, Ryan joinedthe Army as an infantry soldier and later returned to Honolulu as a student at HonCC and a manager at his parent's catering company, the same one that runs HonCC's cafeteria (Boulevard Island Cafe).

A fairly young supervisor at the age of 29, he is responsible for cashiering and janitoring, as well as

many other things that he does when he's not “on the clock,”such as computer work and managerial consulting.

Working at HonCC for about a month, Rabe enjoys the time he has spent here so far, but is still adjusting slightly.

"Compared to the Army, (this place/his job) so chill. Takes some getting used to,” he said. “I enjoy it because the people who come through here are interesting, but the employees...”

His co-cashier, Doreen R, laughs back and compliments his joke with a prompt quip of her own.

Doreen was born in Honolulu and lives in Kalihi.

Doreen's polite demeanor and quick fingers have served HonCC's cafeteria for five years now, with her role as cashier and waitstaff. She says, “I meet a lot of interesting people, mostly honest and friendly, which makes my job easier.”

Although students and faculty may not always agree with the menu or prices, it's good to know that the staff who work in their cafeteria genuinely care about them and enjoy serving each one semester after semester.

Color your cupcake anyway you like

By Amanda Rico Ka La staff writer

Here is a simple and fast way to bring color into your day. Whether for an everyday occasion or an upcoming birthday party these rainbow cupcakes will surely brighten up anyone’s day! They can be done in any color you would like, red and green for Christmas or a themed color.

Experiment. It’s just like coloring in a book; you’ll never know if you don’t try.

To begin, prepare the white cake batter as directed on the box.

Next, divide the batter into individual bowls, with each bowl having the same amount of batter.

Next, add some drops of

Rainbow cupcakes White cake mix Food coloring Cupcake pan White frosting (optional)

one color of food coloring, into one bowl and do the same for the others. Each bowl should have its own color. You can make as many colors as you like.

I chose to pick four main colors: blue, green,yellow, and red.

Once the colors are mixed into the cake batter, place one color at a time into the cupcake pan.

For instance add the red

mixture; add the next color and so forth till you have all the colors in the pan.

Make sure not to over fill.

Bake as directed on the box.

To make the frosting a rainbow color, place the white frosting into individual bowls and mix drops of different food coloring.

Open a piping bag and take one color and run it from bottom to top on one

side of the bag. Place the next color on another side of the bag. Continue with colors until each side is coated, but taking care to keep the colors in separate lines. This will get messy but the important part is to not mix the colors. Once all the colors are in, you should be able to pipe out a rainbow color onto your rainbow cupcake. Once finished, slice a cupcake in half and enjoy the colors of the rainbow!

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 7

march 2013

Congratulations

Dean's List students, Fall 2012

A

Thomas Abarca Tyler Abasial Jan Abo Patrick Acierto Jovi lee Acosta Michele Adams Karmann Afaga Jacob Aga Rodney Agbayan Sean Agpaoa Chasidy Aguilar Kimberly Aguilar Anthony Agustin Christopher Ahn Helene Akamine Aleczander Akana Amy Akina Bryson Akiona Jason Albanese Patrick James Alcaraz Vincent Alexander Candace Alexander Keala Alvaro Jose Amodo Alexander Amoy Ricky Ancheta Johann Andersen Aaron Andrade Daniel Angel Marcus Anguay Troy Antoque Christian Aona Shawn Apau Joshua Apo Kaipoleimanu Apo Joyce Aquino Aaron Arakawa Matthew Ariola Chaz Asato Jonathan Aspree Sakaria AuelaToomey Ashley Augustiro Terence Aveiro

B

Elmin Jan Badua Dick Darrel Baluscang Deayonn Barquis Tonia Barr Liane Barrett Tyler Bassingwaite Keiko Batara Ryan Batt Kristine Bautista Emmanuel Bello Cody Benanua Alexander Berardo Rebekah Berliner Myra Berrios Seth Beurmann Edgar Bilgera Karen Billaber Joshua Bishaw Michael Bland Jarrin Bland-Lessary Alisyn Blosser Daejha Borges Leon Botelho Jasmine Bourke Michael Boyd Jacob Bradley Chris Branch Kaylan Bray Adelaide Brenner Bennie Brennon Delvin Brioso Eric Brown Stephan Brown Sean Brown-Hussey Jacob Brub Rogemar Buccat Marvin Arnold Buenafe Brett Bulseco Yalasia Burke Mike Burns Joseph Bussen Adonis Buttel

Ieva Bytautaite

C

Jordan Cabunoc Karen Cachola Lionel Cadavona Jeffrey Allan Cadiz Clayton Cadorna Janelle Caldeira Bonnie Mar Callangan Guy Campbell Jumar Campollo Ryan Candilasa Micah Caplener Michael Caralos Sur Carbonell Paul Carlson Amber Carlson Shelly Carreira Kenneth Carroll Darrid Carvalho Shawna Casabar Vivian Casido John Casison Alexander Chan Regina Chang Joel Chang Edward Chang Joshua Chapa Mandi Chapin Geena Chau Kristina Chau Elvin Chau Dara Chee Juan Chen Baixin Chen Rattasorn Chinhui Seok-ho Choi Michael Chong David Chong Gwen Choy Allen Chung Margarita Clayton Dominic Coats Amy Colbaugh Kyle Cole Bobbi Collins Cesar Contreras Zachary Coronas Denna Corpuz Jasleen Cruz Alexander Cruz Robert Cunningham

D

Lydia D’Addario Mary Helen D’avirro Jaegan Dacoscos Daniela Daher Stefano Dominique Dameg Keith Daniel Tom Dao Loben Day Derek De Guzman Christian Dela Cruz Shleby Dell Yoshiko Deng Zachary Dial Alona Dinio Kathryn Dresen Deborah Ann Drummondo Tiffanie Duarte Megan Duarte-Awa Vincent Duldulao Marcus Dumaran Randy Duong Robert Duquette Kathleen Duran Gilbert Duropan

E-F

Bryan Leighton Etrata Cathlyn Faagutu Marc Fabian Adrian Faustino Martha Febenito Jomar Felicitas Kaaumoana

Fergerstrom Daniel Ferguson Brandon Fernandez Jessica-Ashley Fernando Charles Ferrer Macfame Ferrer Christophe Frat Kevin Fujita Nicholas Fujita Kimberly Fuller Blake Furtado Howard Furukawa

G

Brian "Kaleo" Gagne Chantelle Galinato Cynthia Ganancial Lareina Gandeza Mark Jesfer Gaoiran Bethany Garces Justin Garo Blake Gingerich Bryah Godoy Contre Gomez Ana Gomez Nina Gonzales Mark Gonzales Jumar Ray Gonzales Jerome Goo Keoni Goo Devan Goto Mark Goya Tony Griffenberg Robert Grilho Benigno Guerrero Jiangli Guo Xiaofang Guo Feigei Guo Mark Guzman Paul Guzzo

H

Lorraine Hahn Kyle Hamada Nicolas Hamamoto Brandon Hanohano Melvis Harbin Brandon Hardy Austin Harshman Nathaniel Harter Daiki Hatanaka Philip Haynes Jayson-Michah Hayworth Meiyun He Guan Hui He Hailing He Mele Heimuli Jason Heleski Jeffrey Higa Karen Higa Devin Higashi Frank Hinshaw Nolan Hirai Chaz Hirata Thomas Ho Kerstan Ho

Brandon Hoida Jason Hong Patrick Hong Daylen Dorn Chanelle Hosea Jason Howard James Hsu Raymond Huang Alissa Huddy Nicholas Hudson Iris Hui Morgan Hutchings

I

Regine Joyce Ibanez Landon Ibara John Ichiyama Brian Iida Jayson Ikeda Kota Ikeda Justin Ikehara Chantel Ikehara Royce-Rodney Ilar Lorenzo Imamura Linda Inamasu Rayce Inamine Bryce Inayoshi Lisa Ishikawa Ryan Isobe

J

Veronica Jakovac Nathan Jamorabon Joshua Javier Raul Juarez Kristoffer Jugueta

K

Kourtney Kaaihue Keith Kabasawa Summer Rose Kaeka-Mau Keoni Kahoano Leland Kahooilihala Star Kajiyama Steven Kalani Kourtney Kalil AJ Kalima-Moses Isaac Kalu Kurt Kaminaka Claudia Kamiyama Yuka Kanno Brandon Kaohi Keli-Grace KaowiliSaniatan Gregory Kates Warren Katz Scot Kawakami Alexander Kawamoto John Kawamura Kevin Kawamura Julie Kawasaki Cameron Kawasaki Stefanie Kawatomari Patricia Kekipi Simeon Kekumu Chantal Keliihoomalu

Leina Kelly Tamaia Keolanui Tiffany Khamphaphanh Lance Kihe Christopher Kim Travis Kimura Jamal Kirk Krystal Koa Mackay Kobashigawa Cynthia Kobylanski Ross Kondo Chris Konno Bryson KonohiaLindLisa Koski Eric Kotake Luisa Krause Testa Ku Chance Kurata

L

Robert Ladds Zachary Lagrimas Alan Lai John Lai Rayton Lamay Justin Lane Irwin Larrison Christina Laseter Leia Latronic Johny LeRandy Leano Thomas Leary Ronnica Lee Eldan Lee Rachel Lee Evelyn Lee James Lee Candace Leung Michael Lewis Jason Li Chai Siang Lim Kevin-James Limatoc Marichelle Limjoco Huanmei Lin Jacob Lockwood Elliot Loo Kristine Lorance Jolene Lovold James Lu Aaron Lum Brant Lum Renn Lum

M

Yuri MiyabaraTreschuk Daniel Magdoloyo Harmony Maghanoy Brandon Magsayo Sautia Mailo Rayna Mailou Mary Jane Makua Precy Maluyo Brian Manangan

Justin Mann William Manning Mahina Manufekai Kariann Markovich\ Blake Marks Nygel Martin Jenny Martin Felicia Matinez James Marzan Manitila Matau Brandon Matsumoto Corey Matsuo Marcela Mattoni De Archilla Ryan Mattos James Mattos Pomaika`i McCandless Tyler McCready Spenser McCready Joseph Mcllhenney Timothy Mccauley Micah Medeiros Shawn Meheula Heath Lynne Membrere Aaron Mendonca Jonathan Merrill Richard Miguel Chad Muhara Roshaun Mikes Igor Miranda Chandler Mitchell Justin Miura Brigette Miyahara Blaine Mizuno Marc Anthony Moises Ryan Mojica Ikaika Mokiao Lori MondenJohn Morales Brad Morikawa

Bronson Pasihon Marianne Pajimola James Palaualelo Charita Palicte Jeff Pamintuan Pamela Pang Zachary Pang Melissa Pascua Matthew Peacock Jacob Pearson Shari Perreira Allison Perry-Tagata Dwayne Pesquira Paul Pestana Anthony Peterson Marilynn Pham Jackylyn Plan Joseph Potts Brian Powell Alina Provenzo Brock Pulliam Edimar Purganan

Randi MoritaSunada Michael Mullaley Lanie Mun Eric Murat Kevin Murata Darin Muromoto

S

N

Selaina Nagaseu Myles Nakagawa Travis Nakaji David Nakamoto Ian Nakamura Shea Namiki June Kevin Narag Jerry Neumann Christopher Nguyen Khoa Nhuyen Nhut Nguyen| Anna Malia Nikolaidis Shannon Nishimura Rhianna O’Connor

O

Matthew Oamilda Ryan Oato Roy Ogasawara Steven Olinger Donovan Olmos Henry On Cheyenne Opiana Cassie Orbistondo Randy Oribello Jason Orita Nikki Oshiro Melissa Osowski Mark Ota Lane Otani

P

Shane Paaulua Jerru Pagaduan Salvador Pagaduan Ronson Pagdilao

Q-R

Terrilayne Quinsaat Brett Radcliffe Xareez Joy Ramos Arthi Reddy Allan James Reganit Ronald Revamonte Jonathan Reyes Amanda Rico Christina Gale Rieta Alphonse Matthew Rigor Ian Ripp Ashley Marie Rivera Melissa Rivera Guadalupe Jr. Rocha Jamie Rodriguez Brett Rose Gabriella Rovin Lianne Rozzelle Wilfried Rumingan Ryan Rutenschroer Randy Sabado Jonathan Sadoyama Christoffer Salvador Maire Aislinn Sana Eric Saniatan Joseph Samuel Santiago Ramic Santiago Darren Santos Salmino Santos John Karl Sapigao Duke Sardinha Brittany Saribay Korie Sasano Alvis Satele Ronald Schmidt Jared Seminara Dominic Seronio Julius Peregrine Serrano Guan Yu Shen Mika Shimabukuro Rance Shimizu Travis Shimizu Stephanie Shimogaki Trisha Shimoni Ray Shiramizu David Shizuma Sage Silverman Mark Sinclair Birgit Sissom-Gray Christian Smith Jordan Solidum Jasmine Ashley Soliven Mary Joy Somera Chester Soriano Marc Soto Derek Spix Allen Sturm Jaimee Suna Kylen Suehiro Racyne Sugai

Jessica Suguitan Donovan Sumida Kaeo Surell Maikai

T

Chad Tabuchi Aaron Tai Gene Takae David Takahashi Erlynn Takahashi Maria Iloisabel Talana Ryan Tamanaha John Tamashiro Leila Tamayori Christine Tamayose Leonard Tampon Jian Jun Tan Patrick Tanaka Dennis Tan Marcus Tani Brandon Taniyama Jonathan Taoka Dayne Tasaka-Shoda Nicole Teixeira Breydon Terai Shannon Teves Desmond Thain Bret Thomas Brian Thompson Ladonya Thrower Athena Vanessa Tilonsky Jason Timm Kuuipo Todd Matagi Toilolo Kristin Tom Jason TorikawaDomingo Robert Toyomura Kyle Toyota My Tran Joseph Tribble Tony Tsao Deashia-Lei Tungpalan-Yadao Richard Tyau

U-V

Weston Uemura Von Dickson Ulsa Ryan Uno Allen Jeffrey Utleg Brandon Vazquez Levi Verwoest Bryson Villanueva Dennis Villanueva

W

Christie Wagner Kaila Wang David Wee Liz Weiss Steven Whaley Natasha Wong Jarett Wong Chrstina Wong Joseph Workman Michelle Wu

Y

Nicholas Yamaguchi Aaron Yamane Jason Yanagihara Kevin Yang Kent Yang Albert Yi Min Yoon Eli Yoshikawa Odyssey Yoshimatsu Vance Yoshizu Wendy Young Alexander Yount Nelson Yuen

Z

Alfred Zembik Dustin Zembik Ulrike Zucherman

KaLĀ • Honolulu Community College, University of Hawai`i 8

March 2013

“We really want to make it a little easier for students, especially new students."

Katy Ho, Dean of Student Services KA LA PHOTO BY MATHEW URSUA

Keeping an open ear -- and mind Katy Ho is here to listen.

As the new Dean of Student Services of Honolulu Community College, Ho’s main focus is to connect with students and, through their feedback, understand what changes students want to see in the school.

“Our main focus is to make sure we are providing really good support services for students, so they feel like this is a home for them, and a place where they can go be successful,” Ho said.

One of Ho’s biggest challenges so far was starting after the Fall 2012 semester had already started and trying to learn about the college and the students.

“One of the things we are working on is providing clarity for

new students about the process of admissions, classes, financial aid, and scholarships,” Ho said.

“It’s not really about big changes but about improving the things we already have,” Ho said.

One of the changes that has already gone into effect is the new general scholarship application which makes it easier for students to apply for scholarships they qualify for.

Another change students can expect to see is welcome stations during the first week of school.

These stations will be set up at key points on campus, welcoming new students and serving as a place

where students can get quick answers to their questions.

“We really want to make it a little easier for students, especially new students,” Ho said. Having these welcome stations will shorten the long lines in the admin building, and help students get the right answers without having to run around from office to office.

“We want to put more emphasis on how we can be more proactive in getting students the info they need, when they need it, and being more proactive in asking for student feedback in a more formal way,” Ho said.

Students can expect to see a

student satisfaction survey in the areas of student services at the end of the semester. “It helps us get some really targeted feedback to understand what we are doing well and what we can be doing better,” said Ho, who grew up in Hawaii and went to college in Oregon.

Ho wants students to know that her office door is always open to students to come and talk story. “I think a lot of times students think that going to the Dean of Students' office means that they are in trouble or they have a complaint. I hope to change that,” Ho said.

“We want to be more welcoming, more proactive, and do anything we can to get students information quicker. But students have to meet us half way, and they can do that just by checking their emails,” Ho said.

A Honolulu Community College graduate has been named the first female security captain in University of Hawaii history.

Capt. Alberta J.K. Pukahi, a 25-year veteran of the University’s Security office, was recently promoted to the position. She had served the last eight years as a sergeant and investigated cases

of the most sensitive and complex nature, including sexual assaults.

Pukahi started at UH-Mānoa in 1987 as a security professional from the private sector and, inspired by the first UHM Commencement ceremony she witnessed, made the commitment to pursue a college degree.

“While at Kahuku High

School, I was not the most serious student,"she said, "but the tuition waivers available to University employees gave me the opportunity to go back to school.”

Taking a few credits each semester through evening or summer programs, she eventually earned an associate degree in administration of justice from

Honolulu Community College in 2000, and a bachelor’s in public administration from UH West Oʻahu in 2010.

With the many recent new hires in the department, Capt. Pukahi’s immediate focus is on training, operations, and rebuilding a team dedicated to service. She oversees a security staff of nearly 40.

By Ieva Bytautaite Ka La editor

If you have suggestions or complaints, you can contact Katy Ho, the dean of student services, at hccdoss@hawaii.edu

HCC grad now heads staff of 40 at UH-Manoa