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Kauaʻi CC rallies behind students after Hurricane Lowell

Kauaʻi CC held a recovery resource event Wednesday.

Students, faculty, and staff were connected with community partners and resources.

Staff and faculty participate in campus clean-ups.

Link to video and sound (details below):

***Suggested VOSOT script below***

A preliminary Kauaʻi Community College student impact survey shows Hurricane Lowell affected 80% of students’ ability to participate in classes or complete coursework. Many are struggling to prioritize education while addressing basic needs, home damage, caregiving, emotional exhaustion, utility disruptions and financial strain.

To support students, faculty and staff, Kauaʻi CC hosted a hurricane recovery event on Wednesday. Dominos Pizza donated 50 pizzas for attendees, who connected with campus and community resources, including Kauaʻi United Way and Catholic Charities. Students also received assistance applying for emergency aid, connected with mental health counselors from Kapiʻolani Community College and Honolulu Community College, and had an opportunity to visit the college’s new sensory room.

>>.

>>The college has developed for students, faculty, staff and the community, which is being updated regularly.

A week or more without electricity

Second-year nursing student Stephanie Cram, a single mother, spent a week without electricity while her daughter’s daycare was closed.

“For me, the biggest challenge was adapting to continuing my education while not having power for a whole week,” Cram said. “We had an exam scheduled for the Monday of the week we returned back to school, and I had no way to study, and my daughter’s daycare closed because they didn’t have power. Navigating through having fewer resources, like not having a fridge and worrying about school, caused me a lot of stress and anxiety.”

Classmate Kelsea Carrasco went nine days without power in Hanalei. Cram brought her a generator, gas, water and Starlink internet.

“It was a big deal for us to have somebody that I’ve only known for a few months reach out and be so generous,” Carrasco said.

She added, “The most amazing thing that came out of it was the community aspect. Our neighbors checked on us every day and brought water, food and ice.”

Immediate support

Kauaʻi CC Chancellor Margaret Sanchez said the recovery event was designed to provide immediate support while the college continues gathering information about the storm’s impact on students.

“Instructors have been very flexible in supporting our students academically, but we’re also supporting our students with their basic needs and meeting them where they are,” Sanchez said. “We’re really lucky that we have our Hale Mālama program on our campus, which provides students with wraparound services, mental health counseling, and a campus food and goods pantry.”

Kauaʻi CC provided students with a hot lunch on the first day back on campus as well as during the recovery resource event. Additional hot meals are being planned. Staff and faculty are also assisting maintenance crews with the continued clean-up efforts on campus.

VIDEO:

BROLL: (54 seconds)

0:00-0:38 - Kauaʻi CC recovery resource event

0:038-0:50 - Kauaʻi CC campus cleanup stills

0:50-0:54 - Staff served a free hot lunch on the students’ first day back after Hurricane Lowell

SOUND:

Stephanie Cram, Kauaʻi CC student (11 seconds)

“Actually, the food pantry here at KCC is really helpful. They have a lot of canned goods. First day back all of us students went there and took what we needed. So that was helpful.

Kelsea Carrasco, Kauaʻi CC student (lives in Hanalei and lost power for more than a week) (18 seconds)

“Once we started back up with school it was kind of the same feeling. A lot of people offering support, asking how you did and seeing what you needed, and I'm so grateful for all of that.  Iʻm grateful for the college, Iʻm grateful for my community, Iʻm grateful for this island. You know, we are so strong.”

Margaret Sanchez, Chancellor, Kauaʻi CC (22 seconds)

“So we are really, really trying to be flexible to support our students academically, but we are also looking at supporting our students in their human or basic needs as well. One of our surveys that we put out said that 80% of our students are affected in some way by Hurricane Lowell. So you know we’re looking at meeting students where they are with what they need.”

****VOSOT script****

INTRO

In the wake of Hurricane Lowell, Kauaʻi Community College is stepping up to support students. Preliminary survey results revealed 80 percent of students had coursework disrupted, with many struggling for basic needs.

VO

Kauaʻi CC hosted a hurricane recovery event for students on Wednesday. Dominos Pizza donated 50 pizzas for attendees, who connected with campus and community resources.

SOT

Stephanie Cram, Kauaʻi CC student (:11 seconds)

“Actually, the food pantry here at KCC is really helpful. They have a lot of canned goods. First day back all of us students went there and took what we needed. So that was helpful.”

Margaret Sanchez, Chancellor, Kauaʻi CC (:09 seconds)

“So we are really, really trying to be flexible to support our students academically, but we are also looking at supporting our students in their human or basic needs as well. “

VO

Kauaʻi has also hosted hot meals for students, and more are planned. To view the campus resource guide or to help support recovering students, go to .

For more information, visit: