Spring 2026 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.
On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, I want to extend my warm aloha and congratulations to all the graduates present at the Kapiʻolani Community College 2026 Commencement Exercise. I also want to recognize the faculty and staff, commencement speakers, honored guests, family and friends who are all gathered for this special occasion where students will be awarded diplomas.
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 ʻohana for volunteering your time to plan this successful event. To all the graduates, I wish you 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, making a lasting difference in your community.
With warm aloha,
Josh Green, M.D.
Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
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 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Graduates!
- Shantel Acosta
- Mary Allete Maldonado
- Mikayla Diliner
- Catherine Long
- Micah Tutuvanu
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 2026 NSLS Graduates!
Current Members
- Angelica Cabasag
- Malia McCormick
- Kiera Mizula
- Dylan Sasano
- Tajha Scott-Charley
- Ari D. Smith
- Cleopatra Tauanuʻu
- Micah Tutuvanu
- Hanelyne Valdez
- Darla Wright
- Ayumi Yoshimura
- Meliza Zamora
Inducted Members
- Genese Brown
- Jessie Esteron
- Nathan Fernandez
- Sophia Kihei
- Donola Lorenzo-New
- Tara Mossman
- Acachia Schoniwitz
- Maliny Soukkhasem
- Jesslene C. Vaughn
Spring 2026 Graduates
The following list acknowledges Kapiʻolani CC graduates of Spring 2026 who have voluntarily elected to participate in this year’s commencement ceremony.
Associates Degree (AA or AS)
AA – Hawaiian Studies
- Charli Omura
- Mana Shimanuki
AA – Liberal Arts
- Shantel Acosta
- Nicole Anne Aguilar
- Adara Anderson
- Kelan Baldry
- Lashell Barrow
- Audrey Branner
- Genese Brown
- Angelica Cabasag
- James Diehl
- Destiny-Jade Domingo
- Logan Dozal
- Perdus Ehsa III
- Hyundee Meigh Farinas
- Ashley Fukushima
- Felicia Groves
- Honoka Haga
- Aoi Hatano
- Matthew Hwang
- Journey Imholte
- Aliena Kaczmarczyk
- Keidrian Kaili-Eschelbach
- Natsuki Kambata
- Grayson Kostron
- Freedom Lau
- Zoe Yannie Lonno
- Kylee Lopes
- Lesina Matatumua-Vermeulen
- Malia McCormick
- Noelani Mendiola
- Carlos Primero Molina
- Ma Molina
- Edumael Ngirausui
- Ma Angelica Denise Papa
- Jack Peil
- Summer Pilor
- Kevin Quintanar
- Jose Reyes
- Dylan Sasano
- Maliny Soukkhasem
- Leona Stremick
- Angel Tagari
- Bianca Jane Tamayo
- Cleopatra Tauanu’u
- Hsin Tien
- Kona Uchiyama
- Hanelyne Valdez
- Agatha Vaughan
- Yuka Yagihara
- Miyu Yamanaka
- Jayson Zuniga
AA – Liberal Arts – Arts
- Glendelle Faye Pascua
- Lucky Thepsenavong
AA – Liberal Arts – Business
- Anh Bui
- Aira Honda
- Kai-Samuel Jochems-Rincon
- Jaryn Kawamura
- Ta’aroa Molale
- Yasuhiro Otsuka
- Noa Parrish
- Andrea Lorraine Pequero
- Ariel Rodriguez
- Honoka Suwa
- Daiki Suzuki
- Coral Tripp
- Ayumi Yoshimura
AA – Liberal Arts – Economics
- Carly Boyd
AA – Liberal Arts – Education
- Mākena Abe
- Tasha Cordeiro
- Donola Lorenzo-New
- Katharine Richardson
- Kyla Walker
AA – Liberal Arts – English
- Keira Mizula
- Teona Williams
AA – Liberal Arts – Human Development & Family Studies
- Amanda Begonia
- Natasha Burton
- Azl Dela Cruz
- Amanda Delgado
- Jessie Esteron
- Leylyn McArthur
- Reagan Ramirez
- Perla Adora Santiago
- Hokule’a Taniguchi
- Jesslane Vaughn
AA – Liberal Arts – Psychology
- Brittany Adderley
- Jacqueline Casey
- Jowen Shu
- Micah Tutuvanu
AS – Accounting
- Hilda Cvilikas
- Anh Tien Nguyen
- Thi Ngoc Hoa Tran
- Shuwei Wu
AS – Culinary Arts
- Jocelyn Cooney
- Ruth Cundiff
- Reoto Kitazume
- Hawkins Ko
- Lin Ko Hawkins
- Fanny Lin
- Kyle Llorico
- Sable Love
- Tani Oshita
- Gabriel Raquena
- Daniel Tada
- Tana Zimmer
AS – Culinary Arts – Institutional Food Service Management
- Joseph Garcia
- Lucas Engh
AS – Culinary Arts – Pastry Arts
- Eden Chung
- Chase Zyler Ignacio
- Trinity Lelepali
- Sabrina Hazel Marata
- Marisa Morishita
- Daisy-Leilani Quidez
- Shayla Rarogal
- Jerwin Sagun
- Princess Jana Doreen Sumibca
AS – Hospitality & Tourism – Hospitality Operations Management
- Sena Arakawa
- Kaira Barbadillo
- Kin Yan Chan
- Jude Gabrillo
- Kristen Giang
- Yonathan Gross
- Cortney Kahalewai-Pedro
- Ryo Kito
- Ho Diem Quynh (Ciara) Le
- Ayaka Masui
- Goto Moe
- Kirara Natsume
- Cherese Pantohan-Agustin
- Sergey Sharov
- Shota Tanaka
- Huiwen Wu
AS – Hospitality & Tourism – Travel & Tourism Operations
- Cassidy Abbamonte
- Alexis Akana
- Ellen Carvalho
- Lilia Matsumoto
- Threenia Miecho
- Samantha Lora Lei Paulino
- Angela Tolentino
- Saya Yamamoto
- Miyu Yasuda
- Momoka Yoshii
AS – Information Technology
- Emmanuel Lloyd de Leon
- Jaron Ea
- Garrett Liu
- Jared Pacariem
- Kayla Pineda
- Theodore Tobby
AS – Medical Laboratory Technician
- Harlly Gail Barrion
- Katelynn Cadavona
- Keithlene Anne Gregorio
- Kimi Hosoda
- Michael Leal
- Aubrienne Pangindian
- Kristine Rivera
- Divine Tio
- Trang Trinh
- Arch Franzchene Vasquez
- Tina Watanabe
AS – Natural Science – Biological Sciences
- China Moriya
- Jazmine Uyehara
- Darla Wright
AS – Natural Science – Engineering
- Wilbert Cuellar-Virgen
- Destinee Jumawan
- Cienna Paet-Gulstrom
- Ashley Tibunsay
AS – Natural Science – Information & Communications Technology
- Koki Kamiki
- Josh Villaver
AS – Natural Science – Natural Resource Management
- Nathalia Brown
- China Moriya
AS – Natural Science – Physical Sciences
- Nathalia Brown
- Sophia Kihei
- Tianyou Wu
- He Yanrong
AS – New Media Arts – Animation
- Rheddie James Acosta
- Richard Escobar-Mo
- Mark Hughes
AS – New Media Arts – Interface Design
- Vivian Bui
- Alysha Angel Cayabyab
- Giochele Corpuz
- Maya Hashem
- Ilyse Rush-Carruthers
AS – Nursing
- Micah Cadalzo
- Naomi Ellison
- Glenda Gabiana
- Brittney Ilar
- Jourdan Kaya
- Kyra Jae Muyco
- Chenoah Nigrelli
- Tasha Quebral-Aspili
AS – Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Meghan Ambrose
- Bethany Camping
- Lauren Cimafranca
- Orhianna Erolin
- Isabella Firth
- Carlye Lawrence
- Yvonne Nguy
- Jesse Okumura
AS – Paralegal
- Melissa Ablon
- Divine Dennis
- Chardae Deuprey
- Makayla Dilliner
- Daisy Worley
AS – Physical Therapist Assistant
- Jensen Bonilla
- Katherine Clark
- Joseph Shawn Coloma
- Savannah Harris
- Jayden Kage
- Zoe Keli‘i
- Reid Kim
- Jenelyn Lagua
- Tajha Scott-Charley
- Joshua Wells
- Tyler Yamaguchi
AS – Radiologic Technology
- Joseph Bruchal
- Hannah Cabreros
- Johnson Jr. Campos
- Dean Jason Castro
- Aura Coffman
- Genevive Anne Jaylene Da-an
- Caitlin Fackender
- Jade Garcia
- Sienna Gregerson
- Alan Guillen Gonzalez
- Garrison Hiramatsu
- Christel Macadangdang
- Audie Jairie Oliveros
- Alicia Stupek
- Matthew Sun
- Ejay Tagabi
- Kaeden Trenum
- Kana Walker
- Jonathan Wessel
- Robin Yost
- Meliza Zamora
AS – Respiratory Care
- Ashlie Balantac
- Gerald Cruz
- Donna Esparcia
- Micah Ellah Eugenio
- Nathan Fernandez
- Nancy Li
- Catherine Long
- Erica-May Mateo
- Claire Negrillo
- Maria Reyes
Certificates & Non-Credit Programs
Academic Subject Certificate (ASC)
ASC – Liberal Arts – Sustainability Issues
- Jade Culbertson
- Cayenne-Ayana Dabalos
- Juriss Janae Deguia
- Selina Mikaellah Espejo
- Isaiah Galindo
- Jayda Guerrero
- Kealaokalani Kaaloa
- Tori Lynn Passos
- Carly Reed
- Calin Robertson
- Hallie Shaha
- Arriana Angela Simpao
- Ari Smith
- Madison Soria
- Alema Tuumalo
Certificate of Achievement (CA)
CA – Culinary Arts – Culinary Arts
- Kei Matsumura
- Maika Minoura
- Ryleigh Murillo
- Takashi Saikawa
CA – Dental Assisting
- Jaelah ‘Auwae
- Jenny Bui
- Reimart Bumanglag
- Nickolas Castillo
- Abigail Crenshaw
- Erin Nishimura
- Erin Ramelb
- Kanani Villanueva-Bahar
CA – Hospitality & Tourism – Travel & Tourism
- Nako Hirakawa
- Hiroka Honda
CA – Information Technology
- Haru Tsuruoka
CA – Medical Assisting
- Alana Brown
- Liana Nicole Ganotisi
- Jashly Roce Guillermo
- Kailee Aizelle Lapitan
- Caitlyn Manuel
- Jinky Mariquit
- Abegail Shane Pascual
- Jerzy Perry
- Devlyn Perugini
- Qiyrah Rapanot
- Alyssa Roxas
- Resty Sales Jr.
- Tayler Yadao
CA – Paralegal
- Gayzel Joy Alonzo
- Fe Palacay
Certificate of Competence (CO)
CO – Community Health Worker
- Jarea Wynna Aliguas
- Jennifer Amor
- Jaymie Cyril Anac
- Kristy Arias
- Marc Jaiden Bantigue
- Shanelle Basuel
- Lalaine Qwynce Beltran
- Makalapua Casson-Fisher
- Shannon Chang
- Angel Mae Criste
- Jedidah Daproza
- Jhairelle Rovic Dela Cruz
- Althea Nicole Esta
- Laynah Fataua
- Robyn Fuertes
- Yvonne Leilani Guira
- Michelle Himalaya
- Lyka Nicole Juan
- Kahiau Kalawa
- Myna Kaleb
- Valerie Kupihea Tuiloma
- Helen Labaun
- Rianfel Lacuesta
- Kuuleialoha Lancaster
- Timothy Leryann
- Tricia-Lee Lum Ho
- Kuaiwi Laka Kahiwakapu Pili Haupapanui Mākua
- Tori McCann
- Tara Mossman
- Brandi Murray
- Marissa Nederhouser
- Andrea Paulo
- Skylah-Ann Puahala-Channels
- Thea Abigail Rarangol
- Zachary Klowi Angel Rasdas
- Kayla Samson
- Frances Tapiz-Andrian
- Britney Tavares
- Shyla Taylor
- Richelle Taylor
- Lanz Kerbie Tolentino
- Tiffany Victoria Jose Tolentino
- Harry Waa
- Jamie White
- Guia Celyne Yabes
- Jose Andres Zavala
CO – Culinary Arts – Dining Room
- Seth Javellana
CO – Culinary Arts – Pastry Arts
- Ryleigh Murillo
CO – Dental Assisting
- Jaelah ‘Auwae
- Jenny Bui
- Reimart Bumanglag
- Nickolas Castillo
- Abigail Crenshaw
- Erin Nishimura
- Erin Ramelb
- Kanani Villanueva-Bahar
CO – Education Paraprofessional – Second Language Teaching
- Denise Gallagher
CO – Information Technology – Information Security Assurance
- Acachia Schoniwitz
CO – Medical Assisting – Healthcare Practice Management
- Krystle Pascua
Non-Credit Program
Dental Assisting – Campbell High School
- Leslie Joline Ibe
Dental Assisting – Kalani High School
- Keilani Sung
- Blaise Tomita
Dental Assisting – Leilehua High School
- Jennifer Bumanglag
- Rayjia Vickers
Dental Assisting – McKinley High School
- Chelsie Cardenas
Dental Assisting – Roosevelt High School
- Pimada Areeyaphan
Dental Assisting – Waipahu High School
- Desire Azalea Asentista-Guadiz
Dental Assisting – Nurse Aide (Kapi’olani CC)
- Sarah Dao
Dental Assisting – Optometry Assistant – Kailua High School
- Ruby Hanson-Ehu
- Sophia Ann Roper
Dental Assisting – Optometry Assistant – Kaiser High School
- Keely Kishida
Dental Assisting – Optometry Assistant – Kapi‘olani CC
- Shara Mae Calaoagan
- Jadalynn Ishitani-Voss
- Yolanda Sias
Pharmacy Technician – Waipahu High School
- Tia Kate Agra
- Jarea Wynna Aliguas
- Destiney Arce
- Francis Miguel Avila
- Christina Yveth Bautista
- Maxine Sophia Karis Lampitoc
- Angel Mya Lorenzo
- Stephanie Miyamoto
- Kara Grace Oamil
- Lanz Kerbie Tolentino
Pharmacy Technician – Kapi‘olani CC
- Logan Kim
Phlebotomy – Castle High School
- Sophia Morrison
- Natalia Nyza
- Kaitlyn Punohu-Freeman
Phlebotomy – Kailua High School
- Kamrie Ahovelo
- Lyan Jazmin Baluyut
- Laila Cabanit
- Fernandez Lindsay Josane
Phlebotomy – Kapi‘olani CC
- Olivia Aiona
- Caelyn Fujimoto
- Leilani Howland
Listing of Administration
University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents
Gabriel Lee
Mike Miyahira
Joshua Faumuina
Wayne Higaki
William F. Haning III
Diane Paloma
Laurel Loo
Laurie Tochiki
Neil Abercrombie
Lauren Akitake
University of Hawai‘i System
Wendy Hensel – President
Lui Hokoana – Interim Vice President for Community Colleges
Kapi‘olani Community College
Misaki Takabayashi, Chancellor
Nāwaʻa Napoleon, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Barry Collins, 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, Dean of Legal, Business and Technology, Culinary Arts, and Hospitality and Tourism
Karen Boyer, Dean of Health Academic Programs
Chef Roy Yamaguchi, Director of Culinary Institute of the Pacific