Hello Kapiʻolani CC ʻohana!
MAHALO NUI LOA!!! Here’s to another Commencement in the books!
We appreciate everyone who has helped in some way or form — whether you helped set up the day before, picked up food or consulted on what needed to be done to ensure equity, or provided moral support. Thank you for everything. Shari and I (Romyn) are so grateful for all of you. We have such a good working committee that made the process easy and smooth.
We would like to say thank you to our committee and consultants:
- Kaprice Viveiros & Dyan Kaneshiro (CHECK IN) for making check in a smooth and organized process especially with all the wait line people we had this year!
- Shannon Sakaue (GRAD PREP) and the Marshals for ensuring the excited graduates were prepared, were lined up on time, and made it to the stage and back!
- Amy Shiroma & Sheryl Fuchino-Nishida (HOSPITALITY) for managing all of the hospitality stations, such as the overflow/lei zone, and getting food and snacks for volunteers! Liked the snack spread and enjoyed the food? It was all them!
- Jamie Sickel for organizing the CHEER SQUAD and corridor — both were strong squads for both ceremonies! Thanks for making sure every graduate is appreciated!
- Kristy Yoshikawa & Kelie Cho for being CO-VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS, managing all of the volunteers coming in and out and training them and getting them to where they needed to be!
- Lisa Yamamoto (ONLINE) for ensuring the Commencement website was updated with the online program booklet, list of student names, messages and live stream, and for printing physical programs. Thanks for dealing with student caused errors :).
- Lori Maehara and Alfie Gonzales (SPEAKER SELECTION) for coordinating the Commencement speaker selection process, and practicing with them! We had awesome Commencement speakers!
- Our consultants: Martin Chong for Non-credit students, Sheldon Tawata for High School dual enrolled students, Michaelyn Nākoa Hall for Hawaiian Protocol, the entire HIC staff for working with international students and handling all their questions, Teri Teramoto and Lance Yamamoto for security, Jameson Ramelb for all facilities things, and Deneen Kawamoto for Disability Services.
More to thank! - Nāwaʻa Napoleon, Palakiko Yagodich and Joe Yoshida for the pule, pu, and oli.
- Dave Evans for serving as emcee for BOTH ceremonies!
- Erica Dias, Allyson Ota, and Grant Itomitsu for name reading the candidate names during the Presentation of Candidates and for reading with confidence and conviction!
- Thank you to Shawn Ford and Chef Roy Yamaguchi for being our amazing keynote speakers this year!
- Kekaulike – For rolling ALL the scrolls every time! Thanks for making extras too especially with the increase of grads!
- Alfie Gonzales, Aunty Coco, Shawn Yacavone, Alan Tsuchiyama and David Uedoi running things behind the scenes backstage.
- Aloha Club for handling hospitality in the Overflow/Lei Zone and very much spreading that aloha to everyone!
- CELTT crew for producing the live stream so that loved ones could watch it no matter where they were, and to Raphael Lowe for working with Lisa on the Commencement webpage (and with student caused errors).
- Lance Yamamoto, Jameson Ramelb, Wanda Mita and Teri Teramoto for facilities, signage, and security assistance to manage Parking Lot B and everything KapCC
- Diamond Head Theatre staff, Cameron, Emily, Brando, Kerri, and Dawn for being great partners and collaborators on this event. It’s easy every time and it’s always a pleasure. Y’all really make things work and it’s great!
- ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS for all your work especially those who consistently volunteer at EVERY SINGLE COMMENCEMENT. We APPRECIATE YOU!!
- All ELT – Chancellor Misaki Takabayashi, Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Lance Yamamoto, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Nāwaʻa Napoleon, and Dean Carol Hoshiko – thank you for your support in this Spring commencement and congratulating the students on their achievement!
- Mahalo to Sarah E. Bremser, Department Chair, Arts and Humanities, Laure Burke, Incoming Interim Dean of Career and Technical Education, and Roy Yamaguchi, Executive Director, Culinary Institute of the Pacific for assisting with the Presentation of Candidates.
- Chancellor’s Office – Alison Ohata for inviting VIPs and procuring lei, Jamie Miyashiro for handling the behind-the-scenes paperwork, and Linh Hoang Poe for working with UH foundation donors to attend.
- Debralee Goto from the Bookstore for keeping the bookstore open on Commencement day for those last minute purchases!
- Mahalo to Sheila Kitamura for donating 200 monstera leaves to decorate the stage!
Thank you again so so much! We appreciate everyone that has helped out! We’ll share Commencement photos once they’re ready! Thank you everyone and enjoy the summer!
P.S. If you are interested in participating in making these ceremonies happen then please email kapcomm@hawaii.edu, we would love to have y’all join us! It takes a campus to make Commencement happen!