Author: Lexus Yamashiro

Tim Phillips

From Kapolei, Tim Phillips is a 19-year-old in his second-year at KCC. Initially having entered KCC as a Nursing major, Phillips decided to pursue his studies in Psychology instead after taking a class in the subject during his first semester in Fall 2017.

Finding Psychology to be an interesting field of study, Phillips hopes that what he learns will help him to find a career in the medical field. Despite being undecided in a specific future job, Phillips said that his decision to go into medical work is based upon his idea of wanting to help people and make a difference in the community.

Read More

Michael Kwak

Michael Kwak is a 2018 graduate of KCC who received his Associate in Science in Hospitality and Tourism. From Honolulu, the 22-year-old chose this pathway because he was unsure of what he wanted to study, believing that this would be a safe start to his college career. Tired of the restaurant business, Kwak said that he would most likely want to find a hotel-related position if he were to follow a career based on his degree.

While attending hospitality courses when he was working toward his associate’s degree, Kwak shared that he enjoyed learning from his professors such as Kawehi Sellers and Palakiko Yagodich.

Kwak returned to KCC this school year to complete his pre-requisites for a smooth transition to UH Mānoa in the near future. There, Kwak hopes to focus his studies in the Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology (MBB) program. His passion for science is what drew Kwak to this program along with his interest in future technologies.

Read More

Poll

Are you worried about the Trump administration's cuts to the Department of Education?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Voices & Views

  • Voices & Views: Alyssa LaiVoices & Views: Alyssa Lai
    Alyssa Lai is a 32-year-old who graduated with an associates degree in Hospitality & Tourism from Kapiʻolani Community College last Friday at Commencement. Lai attended Hawai‘i Pacific University in 2010 then dropped out due to difficulties in balancing work with school. She had been working full time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lai decided to return to her education. "I needed something I was accomplishing for myself," said Lai. "During COVID, I didn't have anything, and that kind of scared me." She enjoyed her experience at the college, finding that the support of faculty, staff, and classmates helped her to succeed at college while working full time at Hilton Grand Vacations. "It was a long journey, but ... I got back on track," said Lai. Lai is of Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, Portugese, and Korean heritage. She brought to Commencement a decorated cap highlighting her status as an indigenous woman with a degree, as her heritage was important to her, and she felt pride in being the first graduate of her family. "Joining KCC, I was able to connect more with my Native Hawaiian culture," said Lai. "I connected with the Hoʻopika Program just to understand more of my indigenous culture."

Archives

Staff Writers