PUHI — Monday was the first night of the Startup Training Resources to Inspire Veteran Entrepreneurship at Kaua‘i Community College. Monday was also the recognized Memorial Day that led STRIVE instructor Dirk Soma to open class with a moment of silence.
“We knew Congressman Kai Kahele was in town,” said Alica Sams, the KCC student support counselor. “He wanted to say a few words to the students, and this was the only opportunity.”
KCC Chancellor Joseph Daisy also wanted to lend his support to the opening of the free, nine-week course that walks veterans, active-duty military and their families through creating a business plan while connecting students with local veteran business owners and resources.
Other special guests offering a boost to the students during a night devoted to networking, a class skill, included Mike Johnson of the Kaua‘i Vietnam Vets, and Ed Kawamura Sr., himself a Vietnam veteran, of Veterans Helping Veterans.
“I was in the same position as you folks,” said Andy Ivankovich of Texas, who volunteered to help lead the class through its course after reading about the program in the newspaper. “I never had any of this when I started. My family is committed to helping you. My wife is arriving in a few weeks.”
He was surprised to learn that Kahele piloted the same type of aircraft while on active duty, and spent the rest of the evening catching up on military aircraft and missions.
Soma said the STRIVE program is a collaborative effort between Syracuse University, D’Aniello Institute for Veterans &Military Families, and the National Association for Community College, where its director, Dr. Rebecca Corbin welcomed the students and guests via Zoom.
“There are just five locations in the country where STRIVE is available, and Kaua‘i Community College is one,” Soma said. “It’s not available on any of the other islands. Just on Kaua‘i. Andy read about it in the local newspaper and came all the way from Texas to help.”
Classes meet from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at KCC, and on completion of the program students will have access to national veteran resources through the Syracuse University and its Institute for Veterans &Military Families.
“And if that is not enough, the opportunity to obtain seed money for your business will be available on completion of the program,” Soma said.
Seats to the STRIVE class are limited, but there are a few seats remaining for people interested in joining the class, Sams said.
“We’ll be taking registrations until Monday,” she said.
For information, call her at 808-245-8317, or email samsa@hawaii.edu.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
