Hiromi Kijo is a first-year student attending KCC, majoring in hospitality. Originally from Okinawa, Kijo said that she sees Hawaiʻi as a place similar to her hometown.

“Tourism industry is so big in Hawaiʻi, so that’s what I choose to come here, Hawaiʻi, to study hospitality,” Kijo said.

Kijo said that it was her high school teacher in Haebaru, Japan, who influenced her to attend KCC for hospitality. She has known how to speak English for two years now and is still trying to learn and understand English every day. Kijo said she plans to go back to Okinawa to get a job after she finishes at KCC. Her dream is to be able to reach out to other countries from Okinawa through the tourism industry.