It becomes a proud second for 4 Hawaiian immersion high school college students who graduated with their companion in arts stages on May 10, 2019, at Windward Community College and will also graduate from Ke Kula ʻo Samuel M. Kamakau charter college on May 25.

Kanoelani Holt, Waiʻaleʻale Sarsona, Hiʻilani Young, and Kalehuakea Kelling are part of the Early College High School program at Windward CC. The 4 graduates each earned an accomplice’s degree in liberal arts. In addition, Sarsona, Young, and Holt acquired their companion’s degree in Hawaiian studies and certificates in ahupuaʻa (Hawaiian land and ocean structures) and moʻolelo (Hawaiian records and traditions).

Graduate Sarsona introduced a transferring speech in the Hawaiian language at Windward’s graduation rite and pondered on her accomplishment.

“The Early College program at Windward Community College has become such a superb possibility! I determined to join this application for my lāhui, my humans,” said Carson. “Throughout this journey, I become confronted with many challenges and lots of skepticism. However, I pushed thru because I knew that this course that I was taking of ʻimi naʻauao (searching for enlightenment) was not one that becomes strange to my ancestors. It becomes the mana of my kūpuna that pushed me via it and maintains to accomplish that these days.”

Hawaiian immersion high school college students earn levels at Windward CC 1

Early College brings Windward CC professors into public excessive colleges to educate university-level coursework and enables participating students to earn credit to meet necessities at each. The purpose is to offer a hit college coursework report, allowing students to understand their capacity in higher education and increase the attitude and abilities vital for university fulfillment. Students in Early College applications across Windward Oʻahu have a mean GPA of 3.4 and an achievement fee of ninety-four percent.

Windward CC’s Early College application is made possible via investment allotted via excessive colleges, Windward CC, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature, U.S. Department of Education, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, and Kamehameha School’s Community Investing Program.

Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg stated, “Hoʻomaikaʻi ia ʻoukou e nā haumana ʻehā o Ke Kula ʻo Samuel Manaiakalani Kamakau—Congratulations to our 4 graduates from Kamakau. We are so proud of these first Early College graduates who could have a profound effect on their lāhui, friends, and households for generations to come back.”