LIHUE — Kauai Community College Chancellor Helen Cox quietly gripped her handful of flowers as the sun climbed in the sky Monday at the Puhi campus.
At the stroke of noon, the group of staff, students, and college officials engaged in ho‘okupu at the Aha O Hokulei under the chanting of Peleke Flores, Pua Rossi-Fukino, and Josh Fukino as students dotted the sidewalks between classes.
“This is about alignment,” said Chandlyn Harada. “Noon is when the sun is aligned with the piko, and being connected. We do this so we start out on the right foot. It is the right thing to do.”
Rossi-Fukino said KCC always performs the ho‘okupu protocol on the first day of class to become connected. With the recent developments surrounding Mauna Kea, all of the campuses are doing the ho‘okupu at the same time.
“This is Chancellor Cox’s last fall semester first day,” said Margaret Sanchez, KCC vice chancellor of student affairs. “She’s scheduled to retire at the end of December so she will see this class complete the semester before retirement.”
KCC is searching for a new chancellor and hopes to have one appointed by 2020.
Cox was elated, not only about retirement, but of the day’s developments where opening day census revealed 1,329 students enrolled for the fall semester. This is a 7.1 percent increase over the 2018 fall semester.
Semester hours also improved to 10,329 semester hours, or a 4.6 percent increase.
B.J. Prado of Kekaha has been attending school for two previous years, and this semester has taken the step to become a full-time student.
“This is big for me,” said Prado, whose study is in hospitality and tourism. “I was working for four years, but I guess that job is not quite me. I studied hospitality in the Philippines, so I figure I would just continue and finish.”
Sanchez sends out her welcome to the students — both first time and returning.
“I would like to welcome students to the first week of school,” Sanchez said. “There are many staff and faculty members here to support you every step of the way. For new students who are just starting their journey, I encourage you to make the most of your time here.”
Late registration continues through Friday at the One Stop Center.
“As you start a new academic year, take advantage of the many services available to help you achieve your full potential,” Sanchez said.
The Academic Support Center offers free tutoring and a place to meet with instructors.
“I encourage you to get involved, to participate in student government, and to take part in clubs and student life,” he said.
Kainoa Manipon-Hamada is one of those first-year students who started classes in the Waialeale Project Monday after graduating from Kauai High School.
“I have the best brother,” Kaninoa said of Austin Manipon-Hamada who helped him make the decision to continue his education. “While I’m here, I’ll figure out what I want to do and what is my next step.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
