Spring 2025 Commencement

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.

On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, I am proud to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2024 of Kapiʻolani Community College!

Your journey through Kapiʻolani Community College has been guided by the institution’s steadfast commitment to excellence, diversity, and community engagement. Rooted in its mission to empower learners to achieve their educational goals, Kapiʻolani Community College has provided you with a transformative learning experience that extends far beyond the classroom.

Throughout your time at Kapiʻolani Community College, you have embraced the values of Kūpono, Kuleana, Alakaʻi, Kākoʻo, and Mālama, enriching both your academic endeavors and your personal growth. As you prepare to embark on new adventures, may these values serve as guiding principles in all your future endeavors.

As you embark on this new chapter, remember that the knowledge and skills you have acquired at Kapiʻolani Community College have equipped you to tackle any challenge with confidence and compassion. Whether you choose to pursue further education, enter the workforce, or pursue your passions, I have no doubt that you will continue to make meaningful contributions to our State and beyond.

On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you. Your accomplishments are a testament to your resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment to excellence. May your futures be filled with endless opportunities, success, and fulfillment. Congratulations, graduates of Kapiʻolani Community College Class of 2024!