By Lexus Yamashiro | Staff Writer

On a community college campus, students typically tend to attend their classes for the day and leave immediately after. Faculty, staff members, and even students of the Chartered Student Organizations (CSOs) have been working to figure out new ways to encourage students to stay on campus and take advantage of what the campus has to offer.

However, even if more lounges were to be created or if new computers were to be installed into the Lama Library, there are already several features that KCC has and continues to provide for students on campus. Below are some of the best attributes that KCC possesses to allow students to strive for success and have pride in the campus. 

10. The Great Lawn
It’s often been debated over why such an immense amount of grassy field is located in the center of KCC’s campus, but it does have purposes that anyone can take advantage of. Often times events are held in the middle of it to get students and faculty members engaged, or when activities aren’t taking place on it students can do several things on it: take a nap or lay under the sun, exercise, do yoga, have a mini picnic, and more. Unless if signs were posted stating “keep off the grass”, the Great Lawn is open for anyone to use.

Shama Thrush’s can be spotted around campus sometimes and can have photogenic personalities. (Photo by Lexus Yamashiro)

9. Nature and Views
A handful of students and faculty on campus have shared that they greatly appreciate the scenery around campus. Several plants and friendly birds are spotted almost everyone you go on campus; it is said that the buildings were given its names based on native plants to Hawaiʻi, in which most are also planted near its identified building. If students were to look beyond campus, they can catch wonderful views of the ocean and city from the second floor of buildings such as ʻIliahi, ʻŌlapa, and more.

8. Food on Campus
Many will say that the cafeteria food in high school was terrible and some may say the same about college food, however, it’s a big upgrade to receive the kind of food that KCC produces in its cafeteria and restaurants, especially considering that the Culinary Arts program is behind these operations. The ʻŌhiʻa cafeteria alone offers several different eating options for the day, from a self-serving salad station to its three main meals of choice, burger and hot dog area, and more. Although Subway is a nice option to have, it doesn’t hurt to visit the cafeteria or its neighboring operating restaurant, the 220 Grille.

7. Events and Activities
If booths and tents are seen around the Great Lawn, then chances are an event or activity is being held around its perimeters for those on campus, and often made open to the public too. Functions such as International Festival Week, College Transfer and Employment Fair, Fall Fest, and more have been held over the years on campus in which students are given the chance to interact with others on campus and even from out in the community. Whether events are being held to educate, recruit, or get students engaged, these times should be taken advantage of by students to get them exposed to new and exciting opportunities.

Clubs and organizations will typically line up around the Great Lawn to promote themselves. (Photo by Lexus Yamashiro)

6. Travel and Study Abroad 
Students who have always had the dream of wanting to travel to another country often make this come true when they apply for study abroad options through the Freeman Foundation Community College Program. Accepted students are given the opportunity to travel to places such as Japan, China, Prague, and more to study for credits for almost entirely free based on scholarships that are handed out. These are once-in-a-lifetimes opportunities that aren’t made available to just anyone, so students are encouraged to sign up and study in a different environment.

5. Clubs and Organizations
When new students attend NSO Part III on campus, there are numerous clubs, organizations, and associations that students are exposed to for a chance to join and be apart of KCC other than as a student. Of course, there’s no rush in having to join, however, being a part of at least one on campus can benefit students whether it be for the benefit of improving one’s self-esteem or to boost a resume.

4. Programs and Centers
Similar to how there are many clubs and organizations on campus, KCC also carries several programs and centers for students to be a part of for guidance and support. Many students have benefited from programs such as the King William Charles Lunalilo Scholarship Program, TRIO Student Support Services (SSS), Kaʻieʻie Program and more. All of these programs were designed to help students succeed, and as long as these programs still exist they will continue to reach out to students to let them know that they are available and open to providing help.

Places such as the Kamōkila Floor in ʻIliahi is a place for students to study during their free time. (Photo by Lexus Yamashiro)

3. Study Spots
With several buildings and areas on campus means that there are many study spots that are available for students. Although some prefer to study off-campus, studying on campus can be considered more beneficial since the majority of the resources needed can be found around KCC. With the first floor of the ʻŌhiʻa building finished with its renovations, students can now lounge around outside the bookstore for a new study area.

2. Diversity of Students
Being that students from different countries come to KCC to attend classes, students aren’t always surrounded by the same type of person. According to the University of Hawaiʻi Institutional Research & Analysis Office, about 21% of students attending KCC are of another ethnicity other than Hawaiian, Asian, or Caucasian. The chances of being in a classroom where every student is of the same background are rather low, which makes relationship building with others interesting and special.

1. Faculty and Staff Members
Since the classroom sizes on campus are rather small in comparison to UH Mānoa and other universities, students are able to have and make a better connection with their professors. Office appointments and asking questions in class are rarely an issue since at most times, the professors are attentive to a student’s needs, so students should definitely take advantage of this since this will become a difficult task when they go on to work on receiving a bachelor’s degree. Many professors will share that they want nothing but the best success for their students, and with the family-like atmosphere that flows around campus, this saying clearly holds true.