Episodes
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“I have great respect for the past. If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going. I have respect for the past, but I’m a person of the moment. I’m here, and I do my best to be completely centered at the place I’m at, then I go forward to the next place.” - Maya Angelou
The Hawai’i Association for College Admission Counseling (HACAC) is a group of professionals committed to assisting students to strive for their best, as written in HACAC's mission statement.
“Dedicated to helping students transition to post-secondary education through education, collaboration, and community building.”
On August 15, 2024, I had the honor to talk story with three of the originating members - Judy Hiramoto, Myron Arakawa, and Dan Feldhaus - who shared their insights and wisdom on what motivated them to start, what is now called the Hawai’i Association for College Admission Counseling. They even provided guidance on how best to stay true to the profession.
Their commitment to the college counseling profession demonstrated what it means to lead with integrity, compassion, and staying true to your core beliefs around student support services. One of the many highlights of this talk story session was a stroll down memory lane when Myron shared a group photo taken in 1987 of those who had a vision to design and execute this wonderful Association.
Thank you Judy, Myron, and Dan for taking this from a hallway in 1987 to changing hundreds of lives from students to professionals. We all appreciate you! -
Kapiʻolani Community College provides opportunities for students to test their leadership opportunities. There are no complicated requirements, just the willingness to explore beyond one's comfort zone and try new things.
In this episode we talk story with the Kapiʻo News Staff Writers, Cameron Enomoto, Juri Dagio, and Shawna Takaki. In this episode they talk about interesting interviews, getting involved, and most importantly, personal growth. This interview was bittersweet because all three of them are transferring after Spring 2024. However, they wanted to let everyone to know that Kapiʻo News IS HIRING and students will get PAID.
Please check them out at https://kapionews.com/.
We are so excited to see what they do after Kapiʻolani Community College. Best of luck to all of them and again, Kapiʻo News IS HIRING!
Enjoy and share widely. -
Missing episodes?
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We close out 2023 with Kapi‘olani Community College's Student Congress who are the official channel between the students and the College's Administration.
In this episode we learn from Kimberly Song - President, Zachary Gibson - Vice President, Ratana Kim - Secretary, Maria Schmitz - Communications Officer and Martino Koo - Treasurer, the AMAZING things they have accomplished in 2023. They are truly the voice of our students and will go above and beyond to make sure students have a great college experience at Kapi'olani CC.
Click HERE to check out one of their legacy projects that involves all the University of Hawai'i Community Colleges.
If you are interested in getting involved or have questions, please contact Student Congress at [email protected] as well as through Instagram at @kapccsc.
Thank you! -
One of the many traits of a successful student is the willingness to push beyond their comfort zone. This couldn't be more true for International students. They have to learn a new language, new culture, new educational system, and a new way of life. In this episode we have soon-to-be-graduate, Fall 2023 to be exact, Kiri Yoshida sharing her successes and challenges as she ends one chapter in her life while preparing for a new one. We also have a guest co-host Mr. Shawn Yacavone, Academic Support Specialist at the College's Honda International Center (and Kapiʻolani Community College alumni) joining us on the conversation.
Enjoy and share widely!
Original music by Jon Hashimoto -
Thank you for tuning into another Kuilei Courageous Conversations podcast. In this wonderful episode, we talk story with Ohana Waikiki East by Outrigger General Manager, Mrs. Kiana Beimes. This honors graduate from Kapiʻolani Community College's Hospitality and Tourism Program (she also won an Outstanding Student award...just sayin') provides FABULOUS insight on what it means to take on challenges, face your fears, reframe obstacles, and to stay humble. We were also joined by Kapiʻolani CC Hospitality and Tourism Faculty (and former Department Chair), Dr. Dave Evans who provided some amazing stories about Kiana.
Please enjoy and share widely!
Original music by Joe Yoshida -
The Kuilei Outreach Program Team is Alfie and Sheldon (me). When we are out in the community, it is quite common to hear folks say "I am not college ready" or "I don't think college is for me." What they don't realize is EVERYONE has what it takes to be successful.
In this episode we have Jim Gabriel Vergara, Lunalilo Scholar and Farrington HS graduate who is about to complete his Associate Degrees...yes, TWO DEGREES, in Hospitality & Tourism. Listen to how this young man navigated through adversity and managed to work, attend school full-time, and do community service, while being an extremely successful student.
Hear how his words of wisdom of "being comfortable with the uncomfortable" paved the way for his growth as a person, student, and a professional.
Please enjoy and share widely! -
We always encourage students to dream big with the understanding that they need to put in 100% effort. This means setting priorities and embracing possibly a long list of sacrifices required to achieve these goals.
In this episode, we learn from Kapiʻolani CC graduate, Vanessa Joy Ubante, RN at Queenʻs Medical Center in Honolulu, about her journey to become a Nurse. She provides some amazing insights on what it means to be resilient and determined.
Please share widely!
Original music by Jon Hashimoto -
Our last podcast was back in December 2022 therefore we are REALLY excited to be back on-line. There were movements and changes but are ready to provide you all with more stories and insights from those making positive impacts in our communities.
If you have topics you would like us to highlight, please reach out to us at [email protected], 808-734-9399, or 808-734-9842. You can also follow us on IG at kapcc_kuilei. Thank you and enjoy!
Original music by Joe Yoshida -
Kapi‘olani Community College's Student Congress is the official channel between the students and the College's Administration.
In this episode we learn from Shawna Takai - President, Jenny Brown - Vice President, Julius Laurentius - Secretary, Micah Tutuvanu - Public Relations and Tim Lum - Treasurer, how they felt about 2022 and hopes for 2023. They are truly the voice for our students and will go above and beyond to make sure students have a great college experience at Kapi'olani CC.
If you are interested in getting involved or have questions, please contact Student Congress at [email protected] as well as through Instagram at @kapccsc. Thank you!
Original music by Jon Hashimoto -
Kapi‘olani Community College's Student Congress is the official channel between the students and the College's Administration. In this episode we learn from Shawna Takai - President, Julius Laurentius - Secretary, and Micah Tutuvanu - Public Relations, the wonderful initiatives that are coming up. They even offer some amazing insights around perseverance and success.
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Student Congress at [email protected] as well as Instagram at @kapccsc. Thank you!
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In this episode we are talking story with a Kapiʻolani Community College Hospitality and Tourism student, Marika Suzuki, who shared her amazing journey between Japan and Hawaiʻi. She also provided heartfelt words of advice for prospective International Students.
"Donʻt feel pressured to be perfect."
Please take a moment to hear Ms. Suzukiʻs story and share widely!
Original music by Joe Yoshida -
Happy International Podcast Day (09/30/2022)! In this special episode, we have our 1st Place Winner of Kapi'olani Community College's Aloha Club Trivia Contest, Mr. Kohlby Soong. BUT, what makes this interview special is that he is also a proud graduate of this wonderful College - BONUS! Please listen to his heartfelt insights on caring for our land and caring for each other.
Enjoy and share widely! -
In this episode we talk with 2018 Culinary Arts HONORS graduate, Justin Udom, founder and owner of Pop Culture Artisan Pops - https://popcultureap.com/. Justin enrolled at Kapiʻolani Community with a Bachelorʻs Degree in Business from Loyola Marymount University, several years of work experience in finance, and a dream. His insights on what it takes to be an entrepreneur is something all aspiring independent business owners need to hear. You can also read about Justin in the UH Alumni News.
I had one of his Artisan Pops and it was DELICIOUS! I need to try the Coffee Cacao Nib Swirl!
Please enjoy (both the podcast and his Pops) and share widely!
Thanks! -
We start with our Season opener with another amazing conversation with another Kapiʻolani CC graduate. Jennifer Wong-Ala talks about her journey from Waiamānalo to Oregon where she is within reach to completing her Ph.D in Ocean, Earth, & Atmospheric Sciences at Oregon State University.
"Find your allies, find your mentors, find your people, and donʻt give up." Learn more about Jen by going to https://jenniferwongala.weebly.com/.
Please enjoy and share widely!
Original music by Jon Hashimoto -
We wrap up this Season with Partner Akiona, who graduated with his Associate in Arts and Bachelor's degree in Hawaiian Studies. In this episode he talked about over coming obstacles from being placed on suspension to being on the Dean's List...TWICE! His insights around student success were AWESOME, which actually comes to no surprise since he was one of our best peer mentors.
Please enjoy and share widely. Thank you!
Original music by Jon Hashimoto -
Kapi‘olani Community College's Student Congress is the official channel between the students and the College's Administration. In this episode we learn from the Executive Team the benefits of getting involved and plans for the Fall 2022 semester.
President: Shawna Takaki
Vice President: Jenny Brown
Treasurer: Timothy Lum
Advisor: Roymn Sabatchi
If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Student Congress at [email protected].
This will be a monthly posting in our podcast as well as our Kapi‘olani Community College YouTube Playlist. -
In this episode we have another Kap'olani Community College graduate, Ria Sanford, who embraced her life's twist and turns from a college student to a financial aid specialist . We learned how she strives to be her true self by creating her own journey that "makes her soul happy." She even put on her financial aid hat and provided excellent insight to prospective college students.
Please enjoy and share widely! -
In this episode, we spend some time with Zane Williams who is a Fall 2020 graduate and Lunalilo Scholar of Kapi'olani Community College. Listen to his wonderful insights on college as well as life. He talks about how his experience at Kapi'olani Community College impacted him on an educational, personal and spiritual level. We just loved the words of advice from his grandmother.
"Don't think of [temporarily leaving college] as a failure but a step in a different direction."
Enjoy and share widely! -
"Change doesn't happen in an instant. Change happens over time."
Pushing yourself outside your comfort zone "can be life changing". Listen to this amazing journey with our special guest, Geneva Costales. She always wanted to become a school counselors since her elementary school years and she is now living the dream. Shout out to the "good vibes people".
Please enjoy and share widely.
Original music by Joe Yoshida -
"Life is tough but we have to be tougher."
In this episode we have a recent Kapiʻolani Community College Culinary Arts graduate, Nikko Bolo. He was one of two of Kapiʻolani Community Collegeʻs 2022 Commencement Speakers who provided wonderful life advice.
https://youtu.be/USXb-OG2Fao
Please listen to his wonderful journey from Campbell HS in Ewa Beach, to becoming a student leader at Kapiʻolani CC, to starting his own business. Check him out on Instagram at Olympian_Donutz. It is so cool how he is creating a healthy alternative for his community.
"Feeding people the right way."
Please enjoy and share widely. Thank you!
Original music by Dylan and his dad - Show more
