Welcome Back event celebrated a return to in-person learning

PUHI — Melvin Momohara of the Kaua‘i Community College grounds crew was happy to see all the smiling faces Wednesday.

“It’s such a good feeling to see all these people,” Momohara said as he broke off his task for lunch. “For the longest time, it felt like working in a ghost town. We would maybe see a handful of faces here and there.”

Students from the college took advantage of the E Komo Mai, or Welcome Back, event presented by the Associated Students of the University of Hawai‘i-Kaua‘i Community College student government and the college’s Student Life department to re-unite with friends between classes.

“The organizers were prepared for this,” said KCC Chancellor Joseph Daisy, who was on hand when the first wave of students surged through the walkway fronting the Learning Resource Center. “They even printed out copies of when the different classes would end throughout the day so they could be prepared for the students.”

The dynamics of student population also changed from opening day, Monday.

Margaret Sanchez, the KCC Vice Chancellor of Student Services, said the head count as of Tuesday afternoon was at 1,270 students, or a 5.8% increase over the same period in 2021. This is also an increase from the 1,208 opening day census, and an improvement over the opening day 4.6% increase in student enrollment.

“The campus is abuzz with life again,” Sanchez said. “We are so happy and excited to see our students back on campus, strolling between classes, studying in the library, and hanging out in the student lounge. We welcome our new students and are happy to see our returning students back. We encourage all of our students to take advantage of services and programs so that they may reach their full potential.”

This help that included academic counselors, Financial Aid, Hale Malama, the Library and Career Center, and more were among the tents set up along the walkway leading to the Learning Resource Center.

“We had to do it here,” said John Constantino, the student life coordinator. “The cafeteria is closed and there is some renovation work being done. This was a nice second alternative.”

Patricia Wistinghausen represented the Prevent Suicide Kaua‘i Task Force, and announced that September is Suicide Prevention Month with a slate of activities being planned and announced in the near future.

The word “scholarship” being tossed in the trade winds by The Waialeale Club caught a lot of ears’ attention.

“We’re focused on community service,” said Joana Rodriguez of The Waialeale Club. “Right now, we’re helping a lot with the Malama Huleia restoration project, and we want to get involved with the new mural being developed on Hardy Street. This is about giving back to the community. We got our money for school, now, it’s time we give back.”