LIHU‘E — The big Fredstan Kaluahine rig shuddered and groaned under the guidance of Laua‘e Kanahele as Commercial Driver License (CDL) instructor Steven Carvalho watched the big wheels negotiate orange safety cones in the parking lot of Vidinha Stadium. Kanahele
LIHU‘E — The big Fredstan Kaluahine rig shuddered and groaned under the guidance of Laua‘e Kanahele as Commercial Driver License (CDL) instructor Steven Carvalho watched the big wheels negotiate orange safety cones in the parking lot of Vidinha Stadium.
Kanahele is one of seven Ni‘ihau residents who make up the dozen students who started the current CDL class headed up by Ilei Beniamina of Kaua‘i Community College.
“Nine of them have already passed their tests,” Carvalho noted, while keeping a keen eye on the truck. “The others take their tests on Friday.”
The successful passage of the CDL tests marks the close of the program, now in its second year. A commencement program will honor the graduates this Wednesday, April 20, at the KCC Performing Arts Center.
Carvalho noted that one of the dozen students withdrew from the class, but Carvalho heaped praise on the student for his decision to withdraw.
“We tried everything,” Carvalho said. “We moved the seats up as far as we could. We used cushions and bolsters, but somehow, he could not reach the pedals right.”
Carvalho said that, after several sessions, the student came up to him and said, “Boss, I’m not comfortable with this, and if I continue, I might become a big problem on the road.” This decision is what gives Carvalho the insight that goes beyond just teaching the CDL course.
“My teacher, Steven Carvalho, taught me more than CDL,” one of the four Kanaheles said. “I will remember his calm persistence in the classroom, and strict demeanor on road instruction. I would have been that student left behind if he wasn’t patient with me.”
Uniquely tailored to a Hawaiian-speaking community, the KCC Office of Continuing Education and Training’s evening CDL course has received support for its curriculum from community partners like representatives of ‘Aha Punana Leo, Kamehameha Schools, Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, Alu Like, Inc., the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and the Workforce Development Division of the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Beniamina said the history of CDL at KCC is both community and industry-driven, and with the economic growth on Kaua‘i, these programs necessitate programs like CDL, which benefits the Ni‘ihau community enormously.
Beniamina added that the Ni‘ihau community is exhilarated at their people’s accomplishments that will be highlighted at the Wednesday commencement program. One student noted, “Now, I can get a better job, thanks to this class.”
Scott Bukoski, another student, added, “I was ready to quit. These Ni‘ihau guys are so supportive that we pule when we get in the truck, and we pule after we pau. Now, with my CDL license, I have a whole new outlook on life. I’m already hired by a local company, and I never graduate yet.”
Students in the class include Rogelio Bocalbos, Bukoski, Jonathan Gladman, Greg Kaaumoana, John Kahokuloa, Chris Kanahele, Douglas Kanahele, Tony Kanahele, V. Laua‘e Kanahele, Dana Kaohelaulii, Richard Medina and John Silva.
- Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
