Leeward Community College’s is currently hosting a monumental and deeply resonant piece of artwork: ʻUmeke ����ʻ����: Culture Medicine. The installation, which had been on display earlier this year at Honolulu Hale and Kapolei Hale, was unveiled at Waiʻanae Moku in November at a community welcome event.

Part of the Hawaiʻi Triennial 2025: Aloha Nō, ʻUmeke ����ʻ���� is a massive 22-foot-wide, eight-foot-tall installation created by artist Meleanna Aluli Meyer, in collaboration with ‘Team ʻUmeke’: Honolulu Community College carpentry students, ������Ƶ Mānoa art faculty and students, and community kokua (help). The work reimagines the traditional ʻumeke—a wooden calabash bowl used for nourishment, water and sacred offerings—as a space for reflection, healing, repair and connection.

ʻUmeke ����ʻ���� will be on display at Waiʻanae Moku before moving on to Maui in January 2026. Hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.–8 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. . Meleanna invites guests to “Come home to Hawaiian culture through the arts.”

Shared mission

“Hosting the ʻUmeke in Waiʻanae Moku is an honor,” said Danny Wyatt, Waiʻanae Moku coordinator. “It reflects our shared mission to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and to make art meaningful and accessible to our ʻohana (family) across the islands.”

The installation embodies the values of ����ʻ����, or plant medicine, and features the voices of more than 38,000 signers of the 1897 ��ūʻŧ Petitions, opposing Hawaiʻi‘s annexation by the U.S.

The Waiʻanae Kupuna Council, an influential community group, and Waiʻanae Moku invited the installation because of its deep ties to Native Hawaiian communities and its alignment with the campus’s commitment to expanding access to higher education and serving as a vital hub for cultural learning.

After experiencing houselessness and addiction, Gerry Crespo never imagined becoming a counselor. However, in May 2025, he earned his Certificate of Competence in Substance Use Disorders (COSUDS) Counseling at Leeward Community College’s Waiʻanae Moku education center—and now works full-time for Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services.

“It’s one of the most rewarding professions,” said Crespo. “I feel extraordinarily fulfilled whenever I witness someone achieve recovery and transform their life.”

Crespo is one of 10 recent graduates of the COSUDS program, and among the eight who received an award and support from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute (HBHTI), which was created to support individuals from across the state seeking careers as substance use disorders counselors. Crespo’s grant helped to cover his rent and bill payments.

“This program enables you to transform lives, including your own,” he said.

“This program fills a vital gap in our community,” said Gwen Williams, co-principal investigator of HBHTI and coordinator of Leeward CC’s COSUDS Counseling program. “We’ve seen how tuition coverage and stipends make education possible for individuals who might otherwise never have this opportunity. If our grant is renewed, we hope to continue supporting those ready to serve Hawaiʻi in one of its most urgent workforce needs.”

Leveling up

HBHTI has included the Level 1 COSUDS program at Leeward CC and a Level 2 apprenticeship coordinated by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health, Department of Social Work. Apprentices work at state-registered treatment sites as they pursue certified substance abuse counselor (CSAC) credentials. A four-year grant from the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration has helped to provide tuition assistance, stipends during fieldwork experiences, and stipends for apprenticeships. An award for tuition is expected to be available for one more year for qualified candidates.

Like Crespo, Edmond Pulu Jr. entered the program with a history of addiction—and a desire to change his life.

“HBHTI has been life-changing. Coming from addiction, incarceration and having to start over with nothing, the program gave me more than training—it gave me a second chance,” said Pulu Jr.

Now a CSAC at Kokua Support Services, he facilitates group sessions, mentors clients and supports Chuukese individuals in recovery. He earned degrees from Leeward CC and ������Ƶ West Oʻahu and is completing his Master of Social Work at ������Ƶ ����ԴDz�.

“What drives me is knowing every client I serve could’ve been me,” Pulu Jr. said.

For current ������Ƶ students interested in enrolling in the COSUDS program, contact gwenw@hawaii.edu or HBHTI at .

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under 1 M01HP42453‐01‐00, Hawaiʻi Behavioral Health Training Institute, totaling $2,216,000, with 0 percent financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

More than 125 community members came together at Leeward Community College’s on August 1, for a joyful keiki reading event that provided keiki with books, backpacks and school supplies—just in time for the new school year.

The free family event aimed to promote literacy and learning, while building community spirit. Keiki enjoyed storytelling, read-aloud sessions, crafts, and snacks, and each child received a new book and a backpack full of supplies.

The event was made possible through the support of several local partners, including:

• Asian Pacific American Librarians Association – Awarded the $500 Talk Story Grant that helped purchase school supplies.
• Women of Waiʻanae – Served as the grant’s fiscal sponsor and donated free children’s clothing, toys, books and plants.
• Koʻolaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club – Donated Hawaiian-English books to support bilingual literacy.
• ����ʻ������ Elementary School – Donated 100 backpacks.
• ��īʻ����� – Helped secure additional funding for books, snacks and supplies.
• Cynthia Texeira (Windward CC) – Donated craft materials.
• Leeward CC Library – Applied for the initial grant and organized the event.
• Waiʻanae Moku peer mentors – Co-led the event alongside staff.
• Leeward Hui ʻOhana – Staffed a table.

“This event really reflects the spirit of community and education,” said Hauʻolihiwahiwa Moniz, Leeward CC Hawaiian and Pacific resource librarian. “We’re grateful to all our partners for making sure our keiki feel excited and ready to learn.”

It was 2020 when Brenda DeCambra enrolled at Leeward Community College’s —a year marked by significant personal and global challenges. While the world was shutting down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, DeCambra was undergoing drug treatment and filing for divorce after a 30-year abusive relationship. She also moved in with her sister and brother-in-law in Waiʻanae—both of whom were attending at the time.

DeCambra said that seeing her family’s commitment to their education served as powerful inspiration. That, plus her desire to make a better life for herself, her six children and her five grandchildren, fueled her desire to pursue higher education.

“I wanted to prove to my children that anything is possible, no matter your age or your past, as long as you are determined and motivated,” DeCambra said.

DeCambra said adjusting to college life was tough, especially with technology-heavy coursework, but she found strength in the support from tutors, mentors and professors.

“Waiʻanae Moku has made me feel at home, and the environment is safe for learning and growing,” said DeCambra. “I was able to be myself and not be judged by anyone, which means a lot when you come from a background of addiction and family struggles like mine.”

Waiʻanae Moku has made me feel at home.
—Brenda DeCambra

DeCambra will graduate on May 9 with an associate’s degree in liberal arts before transferring to in the fall to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Eventually, DeCambra plans to take her journey full circle by getting a master’s degree in social work and using her experience to help others facing similar struggles.

• Meet more amazing ������Ƶ spring graduates

“The courses I took at Waiʻanae Moku helped me to better understand core values like service, social justice, dignity and the worth of an individual,” said DeCambra. “Now I have more insight into the problems we face in our communities and how we can try to solve them.”

—By Devon Bedoya

New University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel will visit each of the 10 ������Ƶ campuses and six of the university system’s nine education centers during her first 90 days in office. Hensel began her role as the 16th president of the state’s public higher education system on January 1, 2025.

The schedule is below and specific details will be announced by individual campuses. Each visit will feature an open campus forum—welcoming participation from all campus community members—along with meetings with student, faculty and staff governance groups, as well as the administration’s leadership team. In a January 6 message to the ������Ƶ community, Hensel expressed her commitment to building meaningful connections through pilina, a Native Hawaiian concept that has been shared with her.

“It is fitting that pilina encompasses not only relationships, but also more broadly interdependence, interwovenness, and deep connections that span place, time and generations,” said Hensel. “Although recognizing that my pilina with Hawaiʻi and many of you is just beginning, it seems clear that it will be the foundation for the work we can and must do together for the thriving future Hawaiʻi deserves.”

President Hensel campus/education centers visit schedule

• Tuesday, January 14 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, January 22 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Thursday, January 23 – ������Ƶ Mānoa
• Monday, January 27 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 3 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, February 5 – Leeward CC —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 10 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday, February 11 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday, February 18 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, February 24 – —Read a recap of the visit.
• Tuesday February 25 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, March 3 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Wednesday, March 5 – and —Read a recap of the visit.
• Monday, March 24 –
• Tuesday, April 8 –

Hensel has emphasized her commitment to attending as many campus events as her schedule allows while acclimating to her new role and navigating her first legislative session, which runs from January 15 to May 2. She is also meeting with county, state and local business leaders. Her top priority is visiting the campuses and education centers.

“Understanding first-hand how each campus uniquely contributes to the beautiful mosaic that makes up our ������Ƶ community will be invaluable,” said Hensel. “With this knowledge, we can build a strong system that is capable of achieving excellence together that is otherwise unreachable alone. I promise to take your lead, listen with an open heart and mind, and learn about who you are, and share who I am as a human being to set the foundation for all the other work that lies ahead.”

For more information about President Hensel, visit the Meet President Hensel webpage. She is also active on social media and encourages the ������Ƶ community to connect with her on , (formerly Twitter) and .

With a recent $540,000 invested in University of Hawaiʻi programs and students, to create partnerships with community groups and to promote sustainability, has raised its total philanthropic giving to ������Ƶ to more than $2.3 million. The latest investments align with the Honolulu-based Native Hawaiian Organization’s mission to aloha ʻāina (love the homeland) by supporting the teaching and preservation of Hawaiʻi’s lands and oceans.

The new gifts from the Alakaʻina Foundation create opportunities for and with on the Leeward Coast and for and in Windward Oʻahu.

“We feel it’s important not only that the young men and women of Hawaiʻi have the skills they need to be effective leaders, but that they have the competencies our communities need for a sustainable future,” said Alakaʻina Foundation Executive Director Kimo Bacon. “We hope that many lives will be improved through our partnership, and we will keep our Hawaiʻi moving forward.”

The three recently funded programs are:

• ������Ƶ West Oʻahu: Alakaʻina Foundation Sustainable Food Systems Scholarship
• Leeward CC: Waiʻanae Moku Summer Bridge
• Windward CC:

The Alakaʻina Foundation has supported other ������Ƶ programs, such as the ’ Online Associate in Arts Degree Program, the Ka Haka ʻUla O Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, the Digital Bus Program and scholarships for Kauaʻi CC students transferring to the ������Ƶ Mānoa , as well as students enrolled in Kauaʻi CC’s Electronics Technology program.

“We are grateful for Alakaʻina Foundation’s innovative system-wide approach to giving,” said Tim Dolan, ������Ƶ vice president of advancement and CEO of . “This focus on sustainability, especially food security, will benefit generations of Hawaiʻi students.”

The Alakaʻina Foundation Family of Companies disburses profits from its seven government service firms to nonprofit activities that benefit the Native Hawaiian community, primarily the youth of Hawaiʻi.

—Reflection, meditation, thought.

Previous ʻōlelo
Akua
ʻĀ���Բ�
��������ܱ���
Aʻo
Mākaʻikaʻi
All ʻŌlelo of the Week

“As we process new information everyday, finding a time and safe space to reflect this knowledge is vital in the skill of learning.”

—ʻO wau ʻo Pokipala, he kumu aʻoaʻo ma ke Kula Kaiāulu ʻo Leeward i ka moku o Waiʻanae
Christopher Pokipala, Counselor,

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the ������Ƶ Hilo .

As she prepares to graduate from with her associate in arts in liberal arts this May, Sara Gaspar is grateful for the opportunities provided at Leeward CC’s and the support of her loved ones during the most difficult times of her life.

Gaspar battled substance abuse and alcoholism from a young age, and things became even more difficult when she got pregnant at 17 and had to drop out of high school. While raising her child, she had to work full time but managed to get her GED when she was 22 years old. Despite this positive step toward stability, she still couldn’t overcome her addiction and was dealt a heavy blow when both of her parents and her older brother passed away within a two-year span.

It wasn’t until she had a near death experience a few years ago that she said “enough is enough. I needed to make some kind of positive change in my life. I quit drugs and decided to seek support from Malama Recovery. I was in this program for six months and graduated on October 18, 2016.”

A few years later, with the support of her husband, she decided to give college a try. The first in her family to attend college, Gaspar excelled with a 4.0 GPA and will be graduating with honors.

“I want to thank my peer mentors, Alaysia Kyle and Tammy Aiwohi…also, (Associate Professor) Rick Kang and (Waiʻanae Moku Coordinator) Danny Wyatt, for making me feel loved and welcomed since the moment I stepped foot on that campus,” said Gaspar.

She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public administration focused on healthcare administration at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu. Gaspar grew up helping her mother care for an elderly woman, before she ended up taking care of her own parents, and she plans to serve the elderly community after earning her next degree.

������Ƶ spring 2023 commencement schedule

“I want them to know that there are individuals like me who are passionate about caring for their needs. They were there for us—we should give back and be there for them,” said Gaspar.

Achieving her associate’s is surreal for her but it was never beyond Gaspar’s reach. She wants everyone to know that if she could do it, they can too, “keep learning, keep trying…keep venturing on through your journey. Discover who you really are. And, remember that every moment is an opportunity to learn from everyone around you.”

Leeward CC will celebrate its May 12, 5 p.m. at the Tuthill Courtyard, Puʻuloa Campus.

—To clearly understand, recognize, realize.

Previous ʻōlelo
Kāʻeʻaʻeʻa
��ī�Բ���
Lani
���������
Noiʻi
All ʻŌlelo of the Week

“Learning is not effortless. When we read a book or listen to a lecture, it is crucial that we clearly understand the ʻike being presented and realize how this new information applies to our everyday work.”

—Christopher Pokipala, Counselor,

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the ������Ƶ Hilo .

—To seek knowledge or information; to investigate; investigation, examination, research, searching for even the smallest detail.

Previous ʻōlelo
Wiwoʻole
Kuleana
Ahonui
Hōʻihi
���峾����
All ʻŌlelo of the Week

“‘Noi’ means ‘to ask or request.’ Noiʻi takes it a step further in the direction of education. Doing research means we are not only open to learning but we are actively seeking knowledge and requesting information that goes through the process of investigation and examination. This process ensures that one’s intellectual foundation is strengthened by ‘even the smallest detail.’”

—Uʻilani Keliʻikuli, Associate Professor, Hawaiian Studies,

For more information on other elements of the definition and usage, go to the ������Ƶ Hilo .

A former prison inmate, a single mother of two, a former foster child, these are current and former students who have persevered and triumphed with the help of a training program that provides access to thousands of dollars in support for food, transportation, books and other expenses.

However, the students say the real difference made by the for college and workforce training was the emotional support and belief it instilled that they could succeed. Here are their inspiring stories of educational transformation.

Former foster child

One would never know, meeting Ayshialyn Sabado, of the challenges she was up against during what she calls “rough childhood” as a foster child. Sabado said taking classes in art and acting at Leeward CC gave her the focus and drive that were instrumental in earning an AA in business management.

Sabado credits HINET with helping her to become the poised and confident young woman she is today. She credits the program for giving her the opportunity to explore classes that sparked her interest.

“Having the opportunity for somebody to refund and help me with books was a big thing, because I’m not working right now,” Sabado said.

She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the .

Working mother of two

Sanoe Jury knows firsthand the importance of having a strong support system. While raising two children under the age of two, studying as a full-time Leeward CC student and working part-time as a physician practice coordinator at Queen’s Medical Center, Jury had to deal with the unfortunate passing of her mother. She worried about how she was going to survive, but discovered HINET and soon realized that help was available to struggling students.

Jury said the program, her children and her Leeward CC counselors, “held me accountable to what I had to do” as she navigated classes for skills such as medical coding.

The program has acted as a liaison for Jury and provided assistance, so she could pursue an associate of science degree in . She is on track to graduate in spring 2022.

Former prison inmate

57-year-old Christine Gaudette said, “It is never too late to better yourself and get your life straight.” Originally from Kahaluʻu, Gaudette was placed in foster care at the age of 10 years old. When she was 17 years old, she committed a serious crime and ended up in prison for eight years. For the next few years she was in and out of prison until one day she decided it was time to choose a different life.

Read more ������Ƶ News stories on the HINET program

Gaudette began taking classes at Leeward CC’s . In her second semester, financial problems hit, and she was prepared to drop out. If it wasn’t for her counselor telling her about HINET, Gaudette would have probably returned to her old way of life. Instead, the program paid for her books, Interactive Digital Access Program, Internet service, and gave her the encouragement she needed to continue attending college.

“(HINET Coordinator) JoAnn Cagasan was always there for me whenever I needed help, and, if her department couldn’t help, she would point me in the right direction and send me the information on who to contact. She went over and beyond the call of duty,” Gaudette said.

Gaudette said she will always remember and be grateful for HINET as one of the reasons she was able to earn her associate degree from Leeward CC and is now on her way to earning a bachelor’s degree.

To learn more about HINET, across the in partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services, visit HINEThawaii.org. For assistance at Leeward CC, contact Cagasan, at jcagasan@hawaii.edu or (808) 455-0563.

—By Susan Lum

Three public forums highlighting major races for public offices on Oʻahu are scheduled to be held at Leeward Community College’s campus this spring.

Waiʻanae Moku Director Danny Wyatt said, “The goals of the forums are to provide information that we hope will lead to good decision-making. Our students come from Waiʻanae and know, first-hand, how difficult it is to navigate a safe and successful life journey when the foundation of that life was sometimes rocky to begin with. As an institution, we want to encourage both our students and our community to aim high, learn more, and participate.”

The first forum in Waiʻanae Moku’s Spring 2020 Speakers Series will be held on Thursday, February 27, 6:30–8:30 p.m. in room 125, on the Waiʻanae Moku campus. The evening focuses on candidates for the Office of Public Prosecutor. Four of the five invited candidates are participating:

• Judge Steve Alm
• Attorney R.J. Brown
• Public Defender Jaqui Esser
• Attorney Tae Kim

Attorney Megan Kau is unable to participate due to an earlier commitment.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served, compliments of State Senator Maile Shimabukuro, a co-sponsor for the event.

The series’ focus is to enlighten the Leeward community about issues that will affect them in the future. Additional forums are planned for March and April; one focusing on the race for Honolulu mayor and the other for Honolulu city council.

Lynette Cruz, speaker series coordinator and political science lecturer at Waiʻanae Moku, said, “The idea for this series is the result of requests from several community members who are considering the implications of what happens when they don’t vote. They would like to meet the candidates and to learn more. The forums seemed the most effective way to bring the information to them.”

• Related ������Ƶ News story: Leeward CC opens permanent home for Waiʻanae education center, October 10, 2017

The Waiʻanae Moku campus is located at 87-380 Kulaaupuni St. next to Māʻili Elementary School. For more information, contact Lynette Cruz at (808) 284-3460, or email lcruz@hawaii.edu.

Leeward CC opens permanent home for Waiʻanae education center

—By Kathleen Cabral

dedicated its newest facility, the in ����ʻ������ on Tuesday, October 10. Serving the Waiʻanae Coast since 1970, the new facility marks the first permanent home for the education center.

“The dedication of Leeward Community College Waiʻanae Moku is the celebration of a dream realized. It’s been over 40 years since Leeward Community College began the journey of serving our Leeward Coast ʻohana. To finally have a permanent facility in ����ʻ������ to call home is the culmination of the efforts of many and the beginning of a new opportunity to expand programs and to meet the present and future needs of the community,” said Leeward CC Chancellor Manny Cabral.

Work began on the renovation in May 2016. Phase I was completed in August 2017, just in time for fall 2017 classes. Phase II is currently under design and anticipated start of construction is estimated to be early summer 2018.

The Waiʻanae Moku center offers a full range of learning support services and more than 65 credit classes during the fall and spring semesters. Students can complete their entire associate’s in arts degree without leaving Waiʻanae. Phase II will provide additional opportunities for the students. A full range of learning support services are offered by two full-time support specialists. Student enrollment has increased dramatically, from 229 headcount in 2006 to more than doubling to 545 in 2015.

“This is just the beginning of how we are transforming higher education on the Waiʻanae coast,” said Center coordinator Danny Wyatt. “With Phase II, we’ll be able to provide even more services to our students and increase course offerings. We’re eager to see what the future holds. We’re only using half the building right now. Imagine what we’ll be able to do when the renovation is complete!”

“The acquisition and renovation of a permanent home for the Waiʻanae Moku center took the collaborative contributions, efforts and perseverance of so many people over the last several years—from legislators, ������Ƶ and ������ƵCC system personnel and many others at the campus and community levels,” said Mark Lane, Leeward CC vice chancellor of administrative services. “We are indeed fortunate and thankful to all those individuals who have contributed to this new beginning of serving the higher education and workforce development needs of the Waiʻanae coast.”

Waiʻanae center history

The Waiʻanae-Nānākuli Education Center (WNEC) began operations in April 1970 as part of Honolulu’s Model Cities Project under the auspices of the Department of Education. In January 1972, the University of Hawaiʻi took over as the operating agency, administering WNEC through Leeward Community College. In 1977, WNEC was fully integrated into Leeward’s operations and organization.

For 21 years, the center was housed in temporary rental locations, including the Nānākuli KFC, Waiʻanae High School classrooms, the Satellite City Hall and the old Waiʻanae Hardware building. In 1991, the center found a semi-permanent residence at the Waiʻanae Mall, leasing a large portion of the two-story office building behind Cathay Inn.

The dream of a permanent facility became a reality when the state purchased the 2.5 acres that housed the 38,600-square-foot vacant Tycom building on Kulaʻaupuni Street next to ����ʻ������ Elementary School for $2.5 million in 2014. The Legislature then appropriated $3 million for phase-one renovations. Leeward CC also received a $10 million federal grant for both its Pearl City and Waianae locations, some of which will be used for phase-two work.

—By Kathleen Cabral