{"id":210169,"date":"2025-02-04T12:27:50","date_gmt":"2025-02-04T22:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=210169"},"modified":"2025-02-04T16:55:28","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T02:55:28","slug":"windward-cc-hawaiiloa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/02\/04\/windward-cc-hawaiiloa\/","title":{"rendered":"Hawaiian Telcom partners with Windward CC<\/abbr> for Hawaiian studies degree"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> < 1<\/span> minute<\/span><\/span>
\"students
Students working in a loʻi<\/span> as part of the course IS 201: The Ahupuaʻa.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hawaiian Telcom is partnering with Windward Community College\u2019s Hawaiʻiloa<\/span><\/a> program to give employees an opportunity to earn an associate in arts (AA<\/abbr>) degree in Hawaiian studies, reinforcing its commitment to lifelong learning, innovation, and Hawaiʻi\u2019s<\/span> culture.<\/p>\n

The Hawaiʻiloa<\/span> program is immersive and accelerated, allowing students to earn their AA<\/abbr> degree within two years. The program is designed with flexibility in mind, offering an entirely online format with eight-week courses taken in a cohort model. This structure enables students to focus on two classes at a time, making it ideal for working professionals.<\/p>\n

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Class of 2023 graduates of the Hawaiʻiloa<\/span> program.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We are so happy to partner with Hawaiian Telcom for this program,” said Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. “Together, Windward CC<\/abbr> and Hawaiian Telcom are answering people\u2019s desire for ʻike<\/span> Hawaiʻi<\/span> (Hawaiian knowledge) and empowering employees to serve our pae ʻāina<\/span> (island chain) well.”<\/p>\n

Two possible pathways<\/h2>\n

Hawaiʻiloa<\/span> provides two pathways: a traditional route for those with no prior college coursework and a modified path for those who already have degrees or credits. The program\u2019s credits are transferable to a bachelor\u2019s degree. A key benefit is the in-state tuition available to Native Hawaiians residing on the continental U.S., making it accessible and affordable.<\/p>\n

Hawaiian Telcom employees union employees who complete pre-approved courses with a passing grade will be eligible for 85% tuition reimbursement, while non-union employees can receive up to $5,250 in tuition reimbursement annually. Eligible employees must work at least 16 hours per week and have three years of service with the company.<\/p>\n

This partnership aligns with the mission of the Hawaiʻiloa<\/span> program—to reconnect Native Hawaiians and those interested in Hawaiian culture with their heritage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Qualified Hawaiian Telcom employees who enroll in the Hawaiʻiloa<\/span> program are eligible for an 85% tuition reimbursement.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1500,71,66],"class_list":["post-210169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-hawaiian-studies","tag-uh-community-colleges","tag-windward-community-college","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t