Spring 2025 Commencement
Congratulations on your achievement!
Congratulations
Special messages in recognition of Kapi‘olani Community College Commencement
Chancellor Takabayashi
Aloha mai kākou,
E nā haumāna puka, no ʻoukou kēia lā. No ka hoʻohanohano ʻana i kāu hana nui. Graduates, today is for you. For celebrating your achievements.
E hanu nui a nānā a puni. Take a deep breath and look around.
E nānā i nā hoaaloha, kou ʻohana, nā kumu, nā kākoʻo i kōkua iā ʻoukou e hiki mai ma ʻaneʻi. Look at your friends, family, professors, and supporters that helped you to get here.
A laila, e hanu hohonu ihola mai ka naʻau mai. And then, take another deep breath and feel within yourself. Ua hoʻokō ʻia nā kuleana. Ua puka ʻoukou. You did it. You are graduating.
E alia iho! But wait. There is one final test. I want you to ask yourself if your academic journey has been upheld by our core values. Ua hoʻohanohano anei ʻoe i ka hoʻīlina a ka Mōʻīwahine Kapiʻolani ma o kēia mau lawena waiwai, ʻo ke Kūpono, ke Kuleana, ka Mālama, ke Kūloaʻa, a me ke Kūlia. Core Values through which we honor the legacy of Queen Kapiʻolani.
Kūpono – practicing honesty and ingetrity. Ua hoʻomanawanui ʻoe i nā nalu nui me nā nalu iki o ka maʻi laulā a ua kū pono iā ʻoe iho, a me nā pahuhopu. It is clear to me that you endured the waves of challenges during the pandemic and stayed pono to yourself, and your academic goals. Ua puka ʻoukou. You did it. You are graduating.
Kuleana – sharing a common responsibility to support our students, college, community, land and sea. He mau kuleana āu i mālama ai i kou hele kula ʻana. You managed multiple responsibilities while studying. He kahu ʻoe no ka ʻohana, ke kaiāulu, a me ka wahi hana. You were a caretaker for your family, your community, and your workplace. I loko o ia mau mea a pau, ua mālama ʻoe i kou hoʻonaʻauao pono ʻī. Through it all, you took ownership of your own education. Ua puka ʻoukou. You did it. You are graduating.
Mālama – protecting and perpetuating ancestral knowledge. Ua mālama ʻia ʻoukou e Līlīlehua, ka ua o kēia ʻāina, e Māunuunu, ka makani o kēia ʻāina, e Lēʻahi, ka puʻu o kēia ʻāina, e ke kaiāulu. Līlīlehua, the rain of this land, Māunuunu the wind of this land, Lēʻahi the peak of this land, and the community all took care of you. Inā ua kūlike ʻia ka mālama, If the care has been reciprocated by you, Ua puka ʻoukou. You did it. You are graduating.
Kūloaʻa – Ensuring that the needs of our students are met with support and service. ʻAʻole nō he wā maʻalahi, maopopo iaʻu. It has not been easy, I understand. Eia nō naʻe, aia ʻoukou ma ʻaneʻi i kēia manawa. But you are here now. Ua puka ʻoukou. You did it. You are graduating.
Kūlia – Kūlia i ka nuʻu. Strive for the highest. Ua hiki ʻoukou i hoʻokahi nuʻu. Auwe! Hoʻomau nō ke alahele. You have reached one summit. Suprise! The path continues. He aha kāu nuʻu hou aʻe. What is your next summit? Pehea ʻoe e hiki ai i laila? How will you get there? Aia iā ʻoe. Mai poina i hoʻokahi mea. It is up to you, but donʻt forget one thing. E hoʻomālamalama i ke alahele i hiki kekahi ke kūlia i kona nuʻu. Remember to light up the way so someone else can follow to strive to their highest.
E hoʻomaikaʻi loa me ke aloha nui iā ʻoukou pākahi āpau. My heart-felt congratulations to each one of you.
President Wendy Hensel
Dear Graduates,
Congratulations! You’ve made it! I want to express my admiration for your dedication and perseverance in earning your Kapi‘olani Community College (Kapi‘olani CC) credential. The entire Kapi‘olani CC team, the University of Hawai‘i (UH) System, and the Regents, are incredibly proud of your accomplishments.
Whether you plan to continue your education, explore new job opportunities, or pursue a different path, we celebrate your efforts at Kapi‘olani CC. We are committed to providing a transformational higher education experience for each student. Our mission is to ignite your passion for learning and discovery, foster a sense of local and global citizenship, and prepare you to achieve personal and professional success that will benefit you, your family, and your community.
Take this day to celebrate your success and to recognize those around you who helped make it possible. Welcome to the Kapi‘olani CC and UH alumni ‘ohana.
Congratulations on your achievement!
Governor Josh Green, M.D.
Graduating from Kapiʻolani Community College means not only the ceremonial Pomp and Circumstance, but also the close of an academic chapter, reflecting your remarkable college achievements. You have also demonstrated determination, perseverance, and resilience in all your efforts to achieve your diploma. And on this day to remember, may you pause for a moment to reflect on how much you have grown in strength and character.
On behalf of the State of Hawai’i, I extend a mahalo to the Kapiʻolani Community College ‘ohana for volunteering your time to plan this event successful. To all the graduates, I wish you all the best at this milestone moment to celebrate the completion of your college academic journey, and I am optimistic that you will have a bright future to make a lasting difference in your community. Congratulations, graduates!
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society
About PTK
The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize the academic achievements of two-year college students and provide them with opportunities to grow as leaders and scholars. Through participation in leadership opportunities, academic research, service the college and community, and fellowship, members are able to grow both personally and professionally outside of the classroom.
Membership into Phi Theta Kappa requires students to be a Kapi‘olani Community College student; have completed at least 12 semester hours in 100-level or above courses; have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher; and be a good quality citizen with the desire to excel. Contact: kcchonor@hawaii.edu for more information.
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Graduates!
- TBA
National Society of Leadership & Success
About NSLS
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is the nation’s largest leadership honor society and collegiate leadership development program. And the only program of its kind to have earned accreditation for its programming.
The NSLS differentiates itself from traditional honor societies in that students must complete a step-by-step leadership development program in order to become inducted. The curriculum offers students the opportunity to develop many in-demand skills such as leadership, communication, and team building.
Candidacy is determined by the local Chapter Leaders. For the Kapi‘olani Community College chapter, liberal arts students with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.49 are selected for nomination each fall and spring semester. Students who do not receive a formal invitation at the beginning of each semester may apply online through a nomination process, where-in faculty recommendation and brief personal statements are required.
To learn more about The NSLS, please contact kapnsls@hawaii.edu.
Congratulations to the Spring 2025 NSLS Graduates!
- Geraldine Tabladillo
Spring 2025 Graduates
The following list acknowledges Kapiʻolani CC graduates of Spring 2025 who have voluntarily elected to participate in this year’s commencement ceremony.
Associate of Arts Degree
Liberal Arts
- Brittany Adderley
- Lochlan Ajimine
- Aloha Marie Amarino
- Chantelle Apostadiro
- Zarai Batalla
- Jayvie Espiritu Ballesteros
- Krycel Castillo
- Kapuakea Carlos
- Lee Chaeyoung
- Esther Chibasa
- Shelise Chun-Guernsey
- Mercy Dacoco
- Ok Engichy
- Victoria Escalona
- Eumira Fiesta
- Sienna Foster
- Leihina Gibson
- Hyesung Hwang
- Paulina Jagusiak
- Ratana Kim
- Brandon Lukas
- Tynesha Ly
- Ko Machida
- Taryn Manera
- Karen Masuoka
- Nene Matsuo
- Ashlee Mitte
- Cooper Miyasato
- Jacelyn Ogata
- Kai Otomo
- Angelina Paulino White
- Bianca Ramirez
- Nathan Schmidt
- Kehani Siuta
- Ryutoku Takagi
- Sudo Taichi
- Geraldine Tabladillo
- Garyelle Joyce Taguiran
- Yui Ueno
- Lauren Vierra
- Bernadette Yandall
- Mian Yukiyasu
Liberal Arts – Business
- Jacqueline Fujii
- Cyrelle Jade Fiesta
- Coen Kawamoto
- Kawamura Shuji
- LJ Pasion
- Amber Senda
- Wako Sonoda
- Jonah Tamura
Liberal Arts – Human Development & Family Studies
- Debra Kaawalauole
- Marianne May Maddela
- Fassion Page
Liberal Arts – Psychology
- Dendra Bautista
- Jamilyn Moriguchi
- Shannonguille Maia Mijares
- Nagisa Saito
- Naomi Langi
Secondary Education
- Aurora Wortham
Social Work
- Rianna Collins
- Tynesha Ly
Academic Subject Certificate
Hawaiian Studies
-
Adara Danica Kapi’olani Anderson
Sustainability Issues
- Adara Danica Kapi’olani Anderson
- Manoella Bastos
- Neil Phillip Cabbab
- Molly Fitzgerald
- Jacqueline Fujii
- Alohi Hetrick
- Seagull Kabua
- Jennifer Nguyen
- LJ Pasion
- Hakumeleokalani Saigusa
- Wako Sonoda
- Qianna Weilbacher
- Kealohilani Young
Associate of Science Degree
Accounting
- Randy Etscheit
- Nataliia Meckle
- Kent Miyano
- Taryn Meheula
- Kaito Haruyama
- Joseph Pido
- Jennifer Tran
Culinary Arts – Culinary Arts
- Maria Risa Nucum
- Patrick James Alob
- Ayana Kowatari
- Emerson Yoshida
- Zachary Johns
- Sahjo Jamanka
- Shantone Walker
- Kyosuke Watanabe
- Cadyn Ramos
- Jayla Galariada
- Mallory Javillonar
- Flitzy Colene Pascua
- Masako Abdurrasid
- Manhattan Fukunaga
- Crystelynn Odani
Culinary Arts – Institutional Food Service Management
- Akeel Desarme
- YongMing Lin
Culinary Arts – Pastry Arts
- Kerri Fischer
- Jayla Galariada
- Ayana Kowatari
- Miki Okumura
- Maria Risa Nucum
- YongMing Lin
- Rouse Trevor
- Marilyne Felizardo Pinto
- Emerson Yoshida
- Piper Kahiapo
Hospitality & Tourism – Hospitality Operations Management
- Huanshao Cheng
- Ellen Carvalho
- Reina Mae Abad
- Ayu Kishimoto
- Je-Anne Gwyneth Kisio
- Ethan Fisher
- Mirae Matsuoka
- Charmane Rafael
- Jovian Range-Semisi
- Samantha Villa
- Maho Onuki
- Rhealyn Visitacion
Hospitality & Tourism – Travel & Tourism Operations
- Reina Mae Abad
- Alexis Akana
- Charmaine Leah Agustin
- Kristine Carreon
- Ayu Kishimoto
- Minseo Kim
- Ema Wada
- Christopher Wong
- Rhealyn Visitacion
Information Technology
- Genki Ando
- Koa Johnson
- Mark Kunikane
- Lukasz Pawlowski
Medical Assisting
- Isabela Aguirre Guevara
- Alyssa Ingano
- Alisia Miller
- Kaheakulani O’Neill
Medical Laboratory Technician
- Jay Mark Ballesteros
- Clarisse Dela Cruz
- Michaela Davidson
- Johnny Huang
- Kelly Li
- Brandon Madamba
- Yvette Melville
- Keira Sumoba
- May Ann Tadeo
Natural Science – Biological Sciences
- Taylor Kim
- Hannah Landry
- Mariah Turner
- Juria Yamamoto
Natural Science – Engineering
- Sungsu Hur
- Alyson Wirtz
Natural Science – Physical Sciences
- Mimi Nomura
New Media Arts – Animation
- Maya Bautista
- Eric Chituck
- Thomas Drown
- Lucas Stevens
Nursing
- John Paul Agpoon
- Dustin Barnes
- Riley Carter
- Annelise Dulatre-Pouoa
- Amanda Factora
- Meiqi He
- Hyacinth Jurmey
- Tyla Kalvaitis
- Murakami Kailee
- Erin LaFleur
- Darlene Dale Mamon
- Nalani Muneoka-Nagy
- Juan Pablo Nava Alcantara
- Yongqi Ou
- Melody Pasion
- Chrishele Siador
- Roger Kainoa Tumbaga
Occupational Therapy Assistant
-
Hazel Barsatan
-
Jan Cabla
-
Krycel Castillo
-
Grace Norman
-
Gabrielle Marie Pastor
-
Anastasia Xayarath
Paralegal
-
Maile Tua
Physical Therapist Assistant
-
Christian Alonzo
-
Wesley Aguarin
-
Jamiery Bagaoisan
-
D’angelo Bucsit
-
Jarrod Feinstein
-
Emmanuel James Fuentes
-
Lauren Garcia
-
Janelle Hirata
-
Kristoffer Daligcon
-
Josmin Manog
-
Mika Luckey
-
Stephanie Jean Yanday
Radiologic Technology
-
Rachel Au
-
Joan Cho
-
Chantelle Corpuz
-
Jennalyn Dela Sierra
-
Ekela Donlin
-
Myndee Dyer
-
Alexis-Kanani Franco
-
Kate Fujimoto
-
Gynethe Ramento
-
Diana Lynn Marquez
-
Micah Ishikawa
-
Natalie Le
-
Dani Nishida
-
Nicole Ontalan
-
Kortney Pascua
-
Anna Sakai
-
Zoe Ann Kessler
-
Keris Hayashida
-
Ashley Butay
-
Hyun Sun Park
Respiratory Care
- Jasmine Baoit
- Melanie Camat
- Ross Ashley Cadelina
- Julianne Domingo
- Dylan Forbes
- Erica Lam
- Cailey Lee
- Jenna Kou
- Gillian Ancheta
- Marissa Bryant
- Keani Yamamoto
- Gladys Mae Soriano
- May-Rhona Sy
- Jocy Tungpalan
Certificate of Achievement
Accounting
- Monica Angel Quibuyen
Culinary Arts – Culinary Arts
- Kazane Shimamura
Dental Assisting
- Aaliyah Casuga
- Krysha Chelsy Alombro
- Duong Quang Hieu Tran
- Clareese Angel Lopez
- Jesrel Kaye Bulosan
- Maxine Nicolas
- Chloe Pacheco
- Maureen Washington
- Thanisorn Na Ubon
- Miku Nagano
- Monique Young
Hospitality & Tourism – Hospitality Operations Management
- Merleen William
Hospitality & Tourism – Travel & Tourism Operations Management
- Airi Kume
Certificate of Competence
Community Health Worker
- Melanie Ako
- Prince Bantolina
- Sheena Cardenas
- Cynthia Channels
- Micaela Angela Coleto
- Princess Mitch Coleto
- Laureen Joyce Coleto
- Marrick Davalos
- Velma De-graft Turkson
- Sharon Del Castillo
- Tonia Dereas
- Emarie Keith Domingo
- Nikos Raj Fernandez
- Sienna Foster
- Zea Hope Galacgac
- Leticia Victoria Galicia
- Jamee Gaspar
- Siwina Haritos
- Marti Henry
- Milika Huahulu
- Roselin Isamo
- Enerita Kovac
- Ferlin Lamoste
- Emma Landgraf
- Ryan Leong
- Cherish Lippwe
- April Lopesi
- Ellen Lopez
- Kintirina Jeirin Matai
- Rianne Margarette Melchor
- Sioeli Moala
- Christle Morita
- Jane Naich
- Virginia Onna
- Victoria Pacle
- Alwyn Jonathan Pagdilao
- Jannel Marla Pascua
- Immaculata Rayphand
- Errol Rondero
- Immaculata Madeline Ruecho
- Jaelynn Deserie Salvador
- Chancy Simor
- Memory Simor
- Princess Hannah Rose Tabon
- Britney Tavares
- Trish Tiries
- Chassidy Watson
- Takwaj Zedkaia
Culinary Arts – Culinary Arts
- Miho Hirotsu
- Kurumi Tsukamoto
Dental Assisting
- Krysha Chelsy Alombro
- Aaliyah Casuga
- Chloe Pacheco
- Miku Nagano
- Duong Quang Hieu Tran
Education Paraprofessional – Second Language Teaching
- Haleysable Alicto
- Jasmine Ternura
Nurse Aide Training
- Nene Matsuo
Tax Preparer
- Taryn Meheula
- Kent Miyano
Payroll Preparer
- Taryn Meheula
- Nataliia Meckle
Non-Credit Program
Dental Assisting – McKinley High School
- Merylle Bonilla
- Kaitlyn Matautia
- Donald Nguyen
Dental Assisting – Waipahu High School
- Althea Clarize Bilango
- Caitlyn Reese Domingo
- Samantha Aceret
- Keithlyn Mamuad
- David Zymon Visitacion
Massage Therapy
- Mia Jaralba
- Reign Villasenor
Nurse Aide
- Tuilua’ai-Ofa Roberts
Pharmacy Technician
- Sarah English
- Julia Marie Cuestas
- Real Joy Schutte
- Diane Lehman
Pharmacy Technician – Waipahu High School
- Jan Deirell Acosta
- Azariah Aquino
- Alyssa Arellano
- Aubrey Miley Baptista
- Tedrick Bruan
- Prince Raven De Guzman
- Eunice Rae Duquez
- Ranidel Grande
- Leila Christene Manibog
- Ardon Nabua
- Thea Abigail Rarangol
- Kiera Vera Cruz
- Guia Celyne Yabes
Phlebotomy
- Jadelyn Piligrino
- Rhian Renee Lacanilao
- Mikayla Brown
- Kristyn Hirao
Phlebotomy – Kailua High School
- Shaun Alexzander Alcover
- Mikayla Brown
- Laurenn Fujikawa
- Gracelynn Cyra Z. Gohol
- Kristyn Hirao
- Rhian Renee Lacanilao
- Isabella McDermott
- Angelica Mae Mendez
- Jadelyn Piligrino
Listing of Administration
University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents
Gabriel Lee
Laurie Tochiki
Laurel Loo
Ernest Wilson
Wayne Higaki
William F. Haning III
Diane Paloma
Neil Abercrombie
Lauren Akitake
Mike Miyahara
Joshua Faumuina
University of Hawai‘i System
Wendy Hensel, President
Della Teraoka, Interim Vice President for Community Colleges
Kapi‘olani Community College
Misaki Takabayashi, Chancellor
Nāwaʻa Napoleon, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Justin Kashiwaeda, Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services
Devon Peterson, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Michaelyn Nākoa Hall, Executive Director of Strategy
Veronica Ogata, Dean of Arts and Sciences
Laure Burke, Interim Dean of Legal, Business and Technology, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality and Tourism
Karen Boyer, Dean of Health Academic Programs
Carol Hoshiko, Dean of Community and Continuing Education