Counseling

Why See A Counselor?

Counselors at Kapiʻolani Community College work with students to find the best path to reach their goals and be successful. Success in life makes us feel happy and healthy as relates to classes, a degree, a career, or personal issues. When there is something blocking the path, it may be a good idea to see a counselor.

Counseling is a process of sharing thoughts and feelings in confidence with someone who is objective and who is a good listener. Counselors help students by discussing new approaches to solving a problem, by giving needed information, through referral to a helpful organization in the community, by helping to clarify thoughts and feelings, or just by listening.

Counselors in Academic Programs

Counselors in Academic Programs are available to assist students in learning about college majors, services, and resources; clarify educational goals, and receive support for academic success.

Flo Abara

Business, Legal & Technology

The Business, Legal and Technology Program offers 2-year degrees in accounting, information technology, marketing, and paralegal. These degrees transfer and apply to 4-year degrees at UH West Oahu. Our counselors help students to select classes, make decisions about their education, and complete their goals.

Florentino Abara, Jr
(808) 734-9107
abara@hawaii.edu

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Culinary Arts

The Culinary Arts Counseling office provides support to students with pre-enrollment program information, academic advising, culinary event opportunities, and program scholarship information. Counselors also provide support in transferring to UH West Oahu’s BAS-CULM or UH Mānoa’s BS-FSHN Culinology programs.

Lori Maehara
(808) 734-9466
lmaehara@hawaii.edu

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Health Sciences, EMS & Nursing

Academic counselors guide and support students engaged in Health Sciences, EMS & Nursing career pathways to earn degrees and certificates. Students are counseled in a variety of areas including admission requirements and criteria, curriculum, program costs, financial aid, licensure/certification, and baccalaureate program transference.

Russell Kinningham
(808) 734-9224 (Health & EMS) hlthsci@hawaii.edu

Lani Suzuki-Severa
(808) 734-9224 (Health & EMS) hlthsci@hawaii.edu

Crystalyn Hottenstein
(808) 734-9305 (Nursing) kapnurs@hawaii.edu

Kristy Yoshikawa
(808) 734-9305 (Nursing)
kapnurs@hawaii.edu

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Hospitality & Tourism

Hospitality and Tourism counselors help students select classes, stay on track for their degree program, and make decisions about their educational and career goals. Counselors can also assist students with academic support needs through individual sessions, workshops, and college educational resources.

Sheryl Fuchino-Nishida
(808) 734-9716
fuchino@hawaii.edu

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Liberal Arts, Hawaiian Studies, & STEM

The Maida Kamber Center has a team of counselors available to assist students in their academic journey. Career exploration services help students identify a major that best aligns with their own individuality. Transfer services are available to assist students intending to continue their education within the University of Hawai‘i System (UH Hilo, UH Mānoa, UH Maui College, UH West O‘ahu) as well as to other institutions in Hawai‘i or the continental U.S.

Continuing Students, please complete this form to schedule an appointment with an MKC counselor >

(808) 734-9500
‘Ilima #104
MKCinfo@hawaii.edu

New Media Arts

Counselors provide guidance and support in the exploration of careers in the New Media Arts (NMA) field. Services include an introduction to NMA programs, guidance through the portfolio and application process, holistic support for current NMA students, and access to alumni and industry professionals.

Stephen Harris
(808)
734-9510
snharris@hawaii.edu

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Counselors in Support Programs

Counselors in Support Programs complement the Counselors in Academic Programs by assisting students with their educational, personal, and career goals.

Disability Support

The Disability Support Services Office (DSSO) serves its students with disabilities by maintaining equal access to classes, programs, and the physical environment. Students must self-identify to the DSSO, provide disability documentation, and engage in an interactive intake process to request reasonable accommodations.

Deneen Kawamoto
(808)
734-9552
kapdss@hawaii.edu

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Female student in library

First-Time College Students

The First-Year Experience (FYE) is the entry point for new Kapi‘olani Community College students attending college for the first time. As with every new voyage, sometimes getting started is the hardest part. Don’t get discouraged, because FYE is here to help you figure it all out.

LaVache Scanlan
(808)
734-9245
lavache@hawaii.edu

Logan Halley
(808)
734-9338
halleyl@hawaii.edu

Miki Crutchfield
(808)
734-9339
mikiac@hawaii.edu

3 male High School students in the hall

High School Students

The Kuilei Outreach Program is a college transition pathway program that strives to promote cooperative, successful connections, transitions, and educational experiences for students who choose to continue their education at Kapi‘olani Community College.

Sheldon Tawata
(808) 734-9842 sheldont@hawaii.edu

Alfred Gonzales
(808) 734-9399
alfredg@hawaii.edu

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two students of color

International Students

The International Student Program paves the road for international student adjustment and success by providing cultural transition support, college skills, and advocacy for international students.

Mimi Yen
(808) 734-9512
liangmei@hawaii.edu

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three students chatting

Low-income, First Generation College Students & Students with a Documented Disability

TRIO Student Support Services assists disadvantaged students in their academic trajectory toward graduation at Kapi‘olani Community College and in the optional pursuit of advanced degrees. The TRIO program at Kapiʻolani CC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and serves low-income, first-generation college students with documented disabilities.

Brandon Chun
(808)
734-9553
triosss@hawaii.edu

Dyan Kaneshiro
(808) 734-9553
triosss@hawaii.edu

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Young pensive woman on sofa

Mental Health & Wellness

The Kaʻau Program for Student Mental Health and Wellness Office provides free and confidential mental health and wellness services that support the well-being, academic, and social-emotional growth of our students and campus community.

Brooke Conway
(808) 734-9585
kapkaau@hawaii.edu

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Native Hawaiian student

Native Hawaiians

The Kapoʻoloku Program for Native Hawaiian Student Success exists to ensure that the programs and services of Kapi‘olani Community College are equitable for students of Hawaiian ancestry. The program provides a solid foundation for students by reinforcing the importance of education, focusing on personal growth and development within the context of Hawaiian history.

(808) 734-9714
kapnhss@hawaii.edu

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Male student at computer

Online Learners

The Online Learner Success program supports students in learning and succeeding in the online environment. Being prepared and ready to learn online is an important foundational step, as well as connecting with academic and student support resources in the journey toward reaching personal, academic, and career goals.

Kristie Souza Malterre
(808) 734-9344
kristies@hawaii.edu

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Adult college student

Returning Adults

The Pāhihi Program for Returning Adults is able to assist any student who is looking to return to college and is not coming directly from high school. We can assist you with transferring credits into the college, identifying a major, understanding general information about our programs, and more.

Shannon Sakaue
(808) 734-9511
pahihi@hawaii.edu

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parents and 2 daughters in kitchen

Students Parents

Services are provided for student parents focusing on those with financial needs. Counselors provide referrals for child care, legal services, and other community resources, and provide scholarship search assistance, and online resources for family-friendly events and activities.

Cathy Wehrman
(808) 734-9504
sppkcc@hawaii.edu

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Military veteran

Veterans & Active Duty Military

The Veteran & Military Resource Center supports student veterans, active duty military, and spouses & dependents who are eligible for education benefits. Visit/contact us to learn how to use your service-connected education benefits and transition to college life.

Teri Mitchell
(808) 734-9290 teri.mitchell@hawaii.edu

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Reach Out

Contact Us

If you’re not sure who to connect with, please fill out the Counseling Contact Form.

Counseling Workshops

We are excited to offer a wide range of workshops designed to help you succeed academically, personally and professionally. These workshops cover a variety of topics, from time management and stress reduction, to career development and networking. Our workshops are led by experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and reach your full potential. We encourage you to take a look at the workshops we have available and sign up for the ones that interest you. By participating in our workshops, you will gain valuable skills and insights that will benefit you both now and in the future.