Category Archives: Employee/Learner Profiles

Alyssa Tokumura, who graduated from Hawaii Community College with honors, got a special mention recently in StarChefs.com, on online magazine targeted toward culinary insiders. Tokumura graduated from the Culinary Arts Program at HawCC’s West Hawaii campus in Kealakekua in 2011 … Continue reading →

Raynell Espaniola was one of two Hawaii Community College students to win an iPad Oct. 17 as part of the college’s Passport to College Success program. The program is designed to make sure the students have the resources and confidence … Continue reading →

Drayce Kawakami was one of two Hawaii Community College students to win an iPad Oct. 17 as part of the college’s Passport to College Success program. The program is designed to make sure students have the resources and confidence to … Continue reading →

Name:  Josephine Kehaulani LeeHong-Mauga  (everyone calls me Kehau) Title/Department:  Office Assistant III in the Office of the Chancellor/External Affairs & Relations My Hometown:  Ka’u/ Puna/ Hilo, Hawai’i My favorite things about HawCC:  The wonderful Early Childhood Education staff has helped me … Continue reading →

Name: Donala Kahealani Kawa’auhau (Ms Donala) Title/Department: Marketing Instructor / Program Coordinator BEAT Department My Hometown: Keaau Hawaii My favorite things about HawCC… The environment is definitely my favorite thing about Hawaii Community College. No matter what the position whether it … Continue reading →

Name: Lilinoi K. Grace  Title/Department: Educational Specialist/UH Center West Hawaii My Hometown: Kealakekua, Hawaii My favorite things about HawCC… I love my job, my co-workers are awesome, the students are amazing, and watching the culinary program impress the community with … Continue reading →

Name: Alan Hale   Title/Department: Media Design and Production Specialist, WHCC Media Center My Hometown: Las Cruces, New Mexico My favorite things about HawCC…  I’ve only been on-board for a short time so I’m new to the environment. My first impression … Continue reading →

Name: Sherrie Ann Straslicka-Walker    Title/Department: Educational Specialist, VCAA Office My Hometown: Brunswick, Ohio My favorite things about HawCC… I love the people who work here.  We are a team.  When each person does their share, magic happens. My hobbies and … Continue reading →

Title/Department: Chemistry Lecturer/Physical Science My Hometown: I was born and lived in Berlin, Germany until the age of 25 and then emigrated to the US, finally making my journey to Hawaii and settling down in Naalehu on the Big Island. … Continue reading →

Name: Dorinna Manuel-Cortez Title/Department: Admissions Officer, Division of Student Affairs My Hometown: Kāneʻohe, HI My favorite things about HawCC…it is a place of hope for people looking to make their lives better, the HLS mala, the people who work here, … Continue reading →

Name: Greg Barber Title/Department: P.O.M. Maintenance My Hometown: Hermiston, Oregon My favorite things about HawCC…There are so many great people that work and go to school here. My hobbies and interests are…I like paddling with the canoe club here at … Continue reading →

Name:  Andrey Mun Wah Chan Title/Department: Instructor, Business Education & Technology – Marketing Department My Hometown: Hong Kong My favorite things about HawCC… I love the wonderful sense of community on campus and the strong sense of camaraderie everywhere.  I … Continue reading →

Name: Graceson Ghen Title/Department: Sustainability Center Coordinator/ OCET My Hometown: Keaau/Hilo My favorite things about HawCC… The Kauhale; good people interested in working together to improve our relationships with each other and the land. My hobbies and interest are… Capoeira, … Continue reading →

Name: Barbara Kuehner Title/Department: Lecturer, Math and Natural Sciences (Biology) My Hometown: I am an Oregon “transplant” but have lived in Captain Cook for 10 years. My favorite things about HawCC… The students really seem to appreciate the chance to … Continue reading →

Name: Elizabeth (Liz) Niemeyer Title/Department: Academic Advisor Counseling, Advising & Support Services Center (CASSC) My Hometown: New Concord, OH My favorite things about HawCC… There is a wonderful sense of community and camaraderie on this campus, and it makes coming … Continue reading →

Name: John Witkowski  Title/Department: IT Specialist / Academic Computing Unit My Hometown: Yokosuka, Japan My favorite things about HawCC… The people at HawCC are the best. Everyone treats each other with respect, are friendly, approachable, and supportive. It feels like … Continue reading →

Name: Steven Clements   Title/Department: Assistant Coordinator, Intensive English Program, HawCC Study Abroad Coordinator My Hometown: San Diego, California My favorite things about HawCC… Kauhale—being a part of a “village” for education. Everywhere I go on campus I see friendly … Continue reading →

Name: Laura Smith  Title/Department: Library Assistant/ Library My Hometown: Lake Tapps, WA My favorite things about HawCC… It’s dedication to the students and their success regardless of each student’s personal hurdles. My hobbies and interest are… dancing, hiking, walking my … Continue reading →

Name: Melissa Yamanaka      Title/Department: Outreach Specialist, Student Services My Hometown: Hilo My favorite things about HawCC… Plain and simple, I love the people I get to work with. I started off as a student worker in 2003 and … Continue reading →

Name: Tony Kent     Title/Department: Educational Specialist, Office of Continuing Education and Training, Rural Development Project My Hometown: Hilo. Born and raised! My favorite things about HawCC…are the same things I love about Hawaii. The feeling of community and … Continue reading →

Name: Jodi Leslie, DrPH, RD  Title/Department: Nutrition Lecturer, Culinary Arts Department, HCC-West Hawaii My Hometown: Captain Cook, Hawaii My favorite things about HawCC…Teaching students who genuinely desire and love to learn. My hobbies and interest are…Community service activities that helps … Continue reading →

Name: Jason Cifra            Title/Department: Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs My Hometown: My heart-town is Hilo. My favorite things about HawCC…The students, people, the potential! My hobbies and interest are… Hiking, Tennis, Beach, Walking, Reading, Scary Movies, …Food! If you came … Continue reading →

Name: Keith Yamase Title/Department: Academic Support Specialist – Office of Continuing Education & Training/Rural Development Project My Hometown: Hilo, HI My favorite things about HawCC…are participating in Kipaepae ceremonies and the warm and friendly people that I have the pleasure … Continue reading →

Name: Tiana Koga    Title/Department: Program Coordinator/ OCET My Hometown: Hilo My favorite things about HawCC…the spirit of Kauhale.  The advantages of a tight knit family here on campus, you’re not just a person working at the college you are part … Continue reading →

Name: Amanda Wilson   Title/Department: Academic Advisor/Counseling My Hometown: Hilo, HI My favorite things about HawCC…The community based atmosphere My hobbies and interest are…Golf  & shopping If you came to visit my office you would see… A LOT of students and … Continue reading →

Name: Paul Heerlein  Title/Department:  Assistant Professor Instructor/Coordinator Culinary Arts – West Hawaii My Hometown: East Hampton Long Island, New York My favorite things about HawCC… is the caring faculty and staff. My hobbies and interest are… tennis, hiking, and ocean … Continue reading →