PUHI — The first day of the fall semester at the Kaua‘i Community College is Aug. 22, and Hanana Kainoa Kula wanted to give students entering the college a head start, as well as a final push to get students who are still sitting on the fence.
After dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for the past two years, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Margaret Sanchez said there will be all types of students at the Puhi campus, including those who are learning remotely, those who are in person on campus, and those who are on a hybrid model of learning.
“We had more than 60 students sign up for this event ahead of time,” Sanchez said. “That is really good. We also have a lot of incentives for students who can just come in.”
The format of Hanana Kainoa Kula was modified to condense the campus and its offerings to fit inside the One Stop Center.
“We have a lot of the different department people here to answer questions from students,” Sanchez said. “We’re also offering two campus tours. We have the counselors here, the testing is going on, upstairs, and pretty much, we have the campus all here in the One Stop.”
Samuel Gauna was a student browsing through the different department offerings.
“My mother is a teacher,” he said. “I’m just looking to see what is available.”
Others waited for prize giveaways that included an abundance of school supplies, and a bento lunch following the tour inside the One Stop Center.
Ryan Girard of the math and science department was excited that Science Olympiad was returning to in-person following two years of being held virtually.
“I need to talk with Chef Steven about using the cafeteria, again,” Girard said. “The students taking part in the Science Olympiad really get into it, and we need the cafeteria. It’ll be nice to see those excited faces, again.”
Sanchez estimated the college enrollment is basically the same as last year, but reserved comment for after the first day of the fall semester.
