PUHI — More than 140 students celebrated graduation from their respective fields on Friday afternoon at the Puhi campus.
The students represented the more than 1,200 awards and certificates presented by Kaua‘i Community College (KCC) covering the periods of summer 2023, fall 2023 and spring 2024.
“The big one is coming in two weeks,” said the mother of KCC graduate Martian Binonwangan, who received his Academic Certificate in Mathematics under the Early College Program. “High school graduation is coming on May 24.”
Binonwangan was just one of the many Early College graduates participating in the Kaua‘i Community College graduation, which received help from the Kapa‘a High School JROTC cadets and the Kaua‘i High School Key Club.
“These students are young,” said Brian Yamamoto, one of the Early College instructors. “Some of them are sophomores. They have two years to wait before their high school graduations.”
Students from Waimea and Kapa‘a high schools took part in the Friday celebrations, most receiving certificates in mathematics and Hawaiian botany.
“I’ll be participating with Kapa‘a High School softball,” announced Laina Apisa, who earned her certificate in Hawaiian botany. “Kapa‘a is going to the state tournament (where they earned the top seed in Division II).”
Her mother explained that it was a hard road, having to balance school, college work and practices.
Also a part of the traditional commencement, Chef Steven Nakata was presented with the Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Nakata, the assistant professor and chair of Kaua‘i Community College, was one of 14 presented to faculty within the University of Hawai‘i system.
“This is easy to remember,” said Stephen Taylor, who was honored by Hawai‘i Regent Laurel Loo and Interim Chancellor Margaret Sanchez. “They don’t present this honor every year, and this time, we’re both Steven’s.”
Additionally, Stephen Taylor, the professor of physical sciences at Kaua‘i Community College, and a previous recipient of the Regents Medal for Excellence in Teaching was named one of six recipients of the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.
“Congratulations to our world-class honorees who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in teaching and scholarship,” said University of Hawai‘i President David Lassner in a statement announcing the system-wide recipients.
“These remarkable educators improve and inspire students, colleagues, and communities through their innovation, hard work and service.”
