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Automotive Supply Center receives the Mahalo Award.

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CENTER AND KONA-KOHALA CHAMBER RECEIVE MAHALO AWARDS

chancellor rachel solemsaasAloha,

Hundreds of Hawai‘i Community College students earn associate degrees and certificates each year, and their success would not be possible without the support of excellent faculty, staff and community partners.

That’s why at this time of year we celebrate the people who help our students succeed. This includes businesses and organizations that are integral to the success of our programs, and faculty and staff who demonstrate excellence in teaching and providing student services.

MAHALO AWARDS

The Mahalo Awards were established in 1995 to recognize community‐based organizations, companies or associations for their support of the educational programs at Hawai‘i CC. The nominees may be civic organizations, clubs, professional associations, or companies in the community.

Hawai‘i CC gives two Mahalo Awards annually, one to a West Hawaii-based organization that primarily supports the Hawai‘i CC – Pālamanui campus and another to an East Hawai‘i organization that primarily supports the Hawai‘i CC campus in Hilo.

I am pleased to announce that Automotive Supply Center and the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce are the recipients of the 2018 Mahalo Awards for their support of the college’s programs and students.

Automotive Supply Center (ASC) plays a major role in Hawai‘i CC’s transportation programs, especially the Automotive Mechanics Technology (AMT) and Auto Body Repair and Painting (ABRP) programs.

ASC advises the programs, hire graduates, and ensure that students are seeing the latest products and training. The company also helped the ABRP program bring two celebrity automotive painters for the program’s first-ever car show in July 2017, providing an exciting and valuable opportunity for students to learn from two of the world’s best auto body painters. We truly appreciate ASC’s support of the college.

The Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce has been a key supporter of the Hawai‘i CC – Pālamanui campus in Kona for many years, advocating on behalf of the campus within the West Hawai’i community, to elected representatives, and with the business community. The organization is an unabashed partner with us in leveraging education and training as a means to ensure the skill base needed for employment of local residents and the success of entrepreneurs. The chamber is also an invaluable resource in providing access to data and rationale to evolve and develop the program profile in both West Hawai'i and elsewhere on Hawai‘i Island. Mahalo to KKCC for its ongoing support.

FACULTY & STAFF AWARDS

Hawai‘i CC is fortunate to have high-quality faculty and staff who are truly committed to student success. It’s incredibly rewarding to hear our students talk about the positive impact members of the Hawai’i CC ‘ohana have on their lives.

I am pleased to announce the following 2018 faculty and staff award winners:

  • Anne Bunker, Dance Lecturer, Outstanding Lecturer
  • Gordon Ching, Business Technology Professor, Outstanding Faculty
  • Kirk Mikami, Fiscal Specialist, Outstanding Staff Member
  • Michelle Phillips, Science Instructor, Regents’ Medal for Excellence in Teaching
  • Claudia-Wilcox Boucher, Sam Giordanengo, and Toni Cravens, Faculty Members and Student Government Advisors, Chancellor’s A ‘Ali‘i Award

Congratulations to the winners of our Mahalo Awards and Faculty and Staff Awards! The college and our students are blessed to have your dedication and support.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas