On Wednesday, April 12 the Honolulu Community College campus combined three separate events to create one big Hoʻolauleʻa. The campus-wide celebration weaved together the Hawaiian culture, sustainable choices, career opportunities and community involvement.

“Hoʻolauleʻa was joyful for so many members of the campus community. There was an authentic exchange of knowledge, art and culture,” shared Emily Kukulies, director of Student Life and Development. “The feeling of an active and engaged community was very present. The planning committee is thankful for the many event sponsors and more than 100 volunteers who helped the vision come to life.”

6th Annual Hoʻolauleʻa

Every April, for the past six years, the campus celebrates the start of Ka Māla o Niuhelewai (The garden of Niuhelewai). Hoʻolauleʻa is a day when the students, faculty and staff come out to enjoy food prepared in the imu, kuʻi ʻai (poi pounding), lei making, Hawaiian games and activities and live Hawaiian music.

“Ka Māla o Niuhelewai, has been an instrumental hands-on venue for our campus and the community in supporting the Hawaiian understanding of sustainable mālama ʻāina application for producing food for Hawaiʻi,” shares Mark Alapaki Luke, chair of Kūlana Hawaiʻi: Hawaiian Programs Division.

Since 2011, thanks to a grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 20 Hawaiian varieties of kalo have been planted in the garden.

Sustainability Showcase

In anticipation for Earth Day on April 22, the Sustainability Showcase featured arts and crafts, plant cuttings, a Trash to Treasure contest, eco-friendly demonstrations and informational booths.

“Our goal is to educate our campus community about the choices they can make now to live a more sustainable lifestyle,” said Cynthia Smith, professor of history and member of the campus sustainability committee.

In addition to the Trash to Treasure showcase were community partner and student led informational booths and demonstrations:

Department of Education (Leilehua Complex)

HNL Tools Exchange

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation

Honolulu CC Automotive Technology—Emissions/Electric Cars

Automotive Technology—Emissions/Electric Cars Honolulu CC Botany—Plant Seedlings

Botany—Plant Seedlings Honolulu CC IS 197—Composting

197—Composting Legislative Outreach

Johnson Controls

Transit Oriented Development Group

Walkwise/Pedestrian Safety

Spring Career Fair

Held annually, the Career Fair gives students a broad exposure to not only jobs for today, but jobs that will lead to a rewarding career.

“Students are able to put into practice their communication skills when meeting with employers,” explains Carol Kagimoto and Silvan Chung of Honolulu CC ’s Career Services Center. “This day is about exposing them to the wide variety of positions found within specific industries.”

Students were encouraged to dress to impress and bring copies of their resume to interview on the spot for a number of full-time and part-time positions for over 20 participating employers.

View more photos on the Honolulu Community College Flickr site.

—By Billie Lueder