
IEP students plant trees at Pu’uwa’awa’a.
The Intensive English Program (IEP) is an accredited non-credit English as a Second Language Program which functions as an entry-point at Hawai‘i Community College for
international students. The IEP provides intensive English language training to students who do not meet the Hawai‘i CC admissions requirements for English
proficiency.
Almost 90% of the international students taking courses in degree programs orginate from the IEP.
IEP currently has students from Japan, China, Korea, Russia, and Chuuk.
The IEP relies heavily on campus support to ensure that our students have a rich, cross-cultural experience. Luckily for us, our college is made up of a Kauhale of faculty and staff who have embraced our international students and made them feel welcome and included on our campus.
We would like to offer our most sincere and grateful MAHALO (in no particular order) to:
- The Learning Center for opening its doors to IEP students and for making them part of your ‘ohana
- Dr. Yumiko Ohara (UHH) for overall support of the IEP’s mission and for allowing IEP students to visit her classes and interact with her students
- Ke’ali’i Lilly for opening up the Hawaiian garden to IEP students and teachers, and for instructing them on gardening and plants in Hawai‘I
- The Halaulani Transfer Success Center and I Ola Hāloa for welcoming IEP students and offering them a place to study and hang out
- Allan Okuda and his crew at the Hawai‘i CC Manono Cafeteria for the generous graduation luncheon buffets and welcoming atmosphere of the cafeteria
- POM for going above and beyond to meet our well-planned and last minute requests
- Neal Uehara and Media Services for helping us out with a smile for all of our events
- Japan Club members for including IEP students
- Dr. Richard Stevens (WH) for inviting IEP students to take part in tree planting volunteer opportunities with his students
- Mauna Kea Visitors’ Information Services, Kim Brenton for coordinating volunteering at Mauna Kea
- Dr. Yukari Kunisue (UHH) for allowing IEP students to be volunteer tutors in her Japanese classes
- Donna Madrid for opening volunteer opportunities to IEP students at Kamoleao Laulima Community Resource Center
- Student Life and Larissa Leslie for always making our students feel welcome at the Kau Wa’a Center
- OCET staff for assisting us at any time to ensure the IEP runs smoothly

IEP students receive instruction on Hawaiian plants from Keali’i Lilly.

IEP students and UH Linguistic students meet for a cultural exchange.