KAUHALE NEWS News from Hawai'i Community College - Pälamanui & University Center, West Hawai'i Sh Hawan COMMUNETY Cour PÁLAMANUI Automotive Mechanics Students on the Fast Track John Nakata, a Kealakehe High School senior, was in the school's automotive mechanics shop recently, reflecting on the time he's spent with a cohort of fellow students the past two years, learning how to rebuild engines, take apart transmis- sions and other auto mechanics skills. "I'm going to miss this place, the environment, the people," Nakata said. teacher and a Hawal'i CC alum- College - Pälamanui, Kealakehe- nus, said it has been logistically High School, and West Hawai challenging to align the pro- automotive businesses. With gram with Hawai'i CCs curricu- this program we hope to assist lum requirements. But he said with the need for automotive it's worth it, and the collabora- mechanics and technicians in tion by all the interested parties our community." has made it possible. "Our vision was to create an uate, the intent now is to have opportunity for interested stu- them complete their secondi dents and prepare them for the year of the Hawai'i CC associate automotive work force in our degree at Pälamanui with their community through this early Chemistry 100 requirement, andi college program," Ibarra said. "I by creating internships with lo- With the students set to grad- Nakata is one of nine students A group of Kealakehe High School students got a jump-start on their college careers through a completing a unique program that was a collaboration be- unique collaboration with Hawai'i Community College. Back row, left to right: Xander Loyola, Chase Teel our students are extremely cal businesses in Kona. tween Kealakehe High School Bancuud-Nishihara, Titon Riveira, Ryzaiah Botelho, Ken Takeishi. and Hawai'i Community College designed to place students on Automotive Mechanics Technol- the fast track to automotive ca- ogy from Hawai'i CC. reers. Beginning their junior year, ly College dual credit classes at I know if I want to get into this students from Kona who want College, Hawai'i Community ragk12.hi.us. the students earned "dual cred- Hawai'i Island schools. Typically, business I have to pay attention a hands-on program," said Ray- it," meaning they received both however, those classes are in and do my work," Fernandez nette "Kalei" Haleamau-Kam, high school and college credit Liberal Arts. This is the first time said. from Hawai'i CC, for the auto Hawai'i CC- or any college in mechanics and general edu- the State of Hawai'i has of- to address some of the challeng- "it is also designed to support cation dlasses they completed. fered a comprehensive Career es faced by students and by the our West Hawai'i businesses by The bottom line is that when and Technical Education pro- local automotive industry. Stu- educating potential employees they graduate from high school gram as part of Early College. on Friday, May 28, they will al- ready have completed one year students, said he likes getting chanics can face difficulties at- huaka'i (Plamanui is the place of college and will be halfway to a "head start" and added that tending the Hawai'i CC program where the journey begins)." earning their two-year Associate knowing this is his career path in Hilo as they will either have of Applied Science Degrees in keeps him motivated. This coming fall, a second and collaboration with Hawaii cohort of Kealakehe juniors will P-20, Stupski Foundation, Kame- embark on this same path. Stu- hameha Schools-Külike-Pala- dents interested in participating toward my future, because this "This is a unique program in- manui grant, Elama Project can contact the high school or Hawai'i CC delivers many Ear- is the trade I want to get into, so tended to serve career-oriented Scholarship, Hawaii Community Chris Ibarra at christopheribar- Fernandez, John Nakata, Daymon Pertubal, Kamrin Kam. Front row, left to right: Chris Ibarra, Justin fortunate to have this support "Now I know it's really going which can be expensive. Interim Director of Hawaii Com- The program was established munity College - Pälamanui. dents from West Hawai'i who are who are from this community. '0 Chase Fernandez, one of the interested in Automotive Me- Pälamanui kahi e ho'omaka ai ka Kealakehe High School teacher Chris Ibarra, center, instructs Chris Ibarra, the Kealakehe a group of students during a recent class at the high school's to drive over or secure housing, High School auto mechanics automotive mechanics shop. ENROLL NOW FOR FALL 2021! CThad a great experience at Plamanui. Being able to be around professors who care about you and share knowledge with you develops who you are as a person and enriches your life." Discover programs & how to apply at upcoming virtual workshops. Monday, June 21: Early College Program (12 noon) Tuesday, June 22: All About Pälamanui (12 noon); Hawaii Life Styles (5 p.m.) Wednesday, June 23: Be A Hero, Be a Nurse (12 noon) Thursday, June 24: Natural Science (12 noon); UH Online/Hybrid Programs (5 p.m.) Friday, June 25: Élama and Hilo One Scholarship Program (12 noon) - Hannah Merrill Kossow, 2021 Liberal Arts Graduate, Transferring to a Bachelor's Degree Program Find more information and the Zoom link at: hawaii.hawaii.edu/discoverpalamanui Hawai'i Community College - Plamanui (808) 969-8816 hawaii.hawaii.edu/palamanui Hawaii Community College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. KAUHALE NEWS News from Hawai'i Community College - Pälamanui & University Center, West Hawai'i Sh Hawan COMMUNETY Cour PÁLAMANUI Automotive Mechanics Students on the Fast Track John Nakata, a Kealakehe High School senior, was in the school's automotive mechanics shop recently, reflecting on the time he's spent with a cohort of fellow students the past two years, learning how to rebuild engines, take apart transmis- sions and other auto mechanics skills. "I'm going to miss this place, the environment, the people," Nakata said. teacher and a Hawal'i CC alum- College - Pälamanui, Kealakehe- nus, said it has been logistically High School, and West Hawai challenging to align the pro- automotive businesses. With gram with Hawai'i CCs curricu- this program we hope to assist lum requirements. But he said with the need for automotive it's worth it, and the collabora- mechanics and technicians in tion by all the interested parties our community." has made it possible. "Our vision was to create an uate, the intent now is to have opportunity for interested stu- them complete their secondi dents and prepare them for the year of the Hawai'i CC associate automotive work force in our degree at Pälamanui with their community through this early Chemistry 100 requirement, andi college program," Ibarra said. "I by creating internships with lo- With the students set to grad- Nakata is one of nine students A group of Kealakehe High School students got a jump-start on their college careers through a completing a unique program that was a collaboration be- unique collaboration with Hawai'i Community College. Back row, left to right: Xander Loyola, Chase Teel our students are extremely cal businesses in Kona. tween Kealakehe High School Bancuud-Nishihara, Titon Riveira, Ryzaiah Botelho, Ken Takeishi. and Hawai'i Community College designed to place students on Automotive Mechanics Technol- the fast track to automotive ca- ogy from Hawai'i CC. reers. Beginning their junior year, ly College dual credit classes at I know if I want to get into this students from Kona who want College, Hawai'i Community ragk12.hi.us. the students earned "dual cred- Hawai'i Island schools. Typically, business I have to pay attention a hands-on program," said Ray- it," meaning they received both however, those classes are in and do my work," Fernandez nette "Kalei" Haleamau-Kam, high school and college credit Liberal Arts. This is the first time said. from Hawai'i CC, for the auto Hawai'i CC- or any college in mechanics and general edu- the State of Hawai'i has of- to address some of the challeng- "it is also designed to support cation dlasses they completed. fered a comprehensive Career es faced by students and by the our West Hawai'i businesses by The bottom line is that when and Technical Education pro- local automotive industry. Stu- educating potential employees they graduate from high school gram as part of Early College. on Friday, May 28, they will al- ready have completed one year students, said he likes getting chanics can face difficulties at- huaka'i (Plamanui is the place of college and will be halfway to a "head start" and added that tending the Hawai'i CC program where the journey begins)." earning their two-year Associate knowing this is his career path in Hilo as they will either have of Applied Science Degrees in keeps him motivated. This coming fall, a second and collaboration with Hawaii cohort of Kealakehe juniors will P-20, Stupski Foundation, Kame- embark on this same path. Stu- hameha Schools-Külike-Pala- dents interested in participating toward my future, because this "This is a unique program in- manui grant, Elama Project can contact the high school or Hawai'i CC delivers many Ear- is the trade I want to get into, so tended to serve career-oriented Scholarship, Hawaii Community Chris Ibarra at christopheribar- Fernandez, John Nakata, Daymon Pertubal, Kamrin Kam. Front row, left to right: Chris Ibarra, Justin fortunate to have this support "Now I know it's really going which can be expensive. Interim Director of Hawaii Com- The program was established munity College - Pälamanui. dents from West Hawai'i who are who are from this community. '0 Chase Fernandez, one of the interested in Automotive Me- Pälamanui kahi e ho'omaka ai ka Kealakehe High School teacher Chris Ibarra, center, instructs Chris Ibarra, the Kealakehe a group of students during a recent class at the high school's to drive over or secure housing, High School auto mechanics automotive mechanics shop. ENROLL NOW FOR FALL 2021! CThad a great experience at Plamanui. Being able to be around professors who care about you and share knowledge with you develops who you are as a person and enriches your life." Discover programs & how to apply at upcoming virtual workshops. Monday, June 21: Early College Program (12 noon) Tuesday, June 22: All About Pälamanui (12 noon); Hawaii Life Styles (5 p.m.) Wednesday, June 23: Be A Hero, Be a Nurse (12 noon) Thursday, June 24: Natural Science (12 noon); UH Online/Hybrid Programs (5 p.m.) Friday, June 25: Élama and Hilo One Scholarship Program (12 noon) - Hannah Merrill Kossow, 2021 Liberal Arts Graduate, Transferring to a Bachelor's Degree Program Find more information and the Zoom link at: hawaii.hawaii.edu/discoverpalamanui Hawai'i Community College - Plamanui (808) 969-8816 hawaii.hawaii.edu/palamanui Hawaii Community College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution.