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Opening enrollment for the University of Hawaii System for the spring 2010 semester reached an all-time record of 55,761 students, the highest spring enrollment in the institution’s history.

UH spring enrollment has increased for a third straight year, and all 10 campuses experienced increases.

“Our record high enrollment shows that the public continues to turn to higher education as a way to improve themselves and their opportunities during these difficult economic times. The University of Hawaii provides an excellent education at a great value, and our campuses are doing everything they can to accommodate the demand for their services despite limited resources,” said Linda Johnsrud, UH vice president for academic planning and policy.

UH’s preliminary opening credit enrollment figures for spring 2010 increased by 4,809 students, or 9.4 percent, compared to spring 2009, and by 7,515 students, or 15.6 percent, compared to spring 2008.

UH Manoa posted a slight increase of 2.8 percent, or 518 students, from a comparable date in spring 2009 for a total enrollment of 19,286 students. The other nine campuses experienced a wide range of increases from 5.1 percent to 24.3 percent.

UH-Hilo’s opening spring enrollment stands at 3,864 students, a 5.1 percent gain (187 students) over last spring, while UH West Oahu’s enrollment is at 1,278 students, an increase of 11.5 percent (132 students) from the previous year.

Enrollment at the UH community colleges rose to 31,333, an increase of 3,972 students, or 14.5 percent, above spring 2009. Kapiolani Community College posted the largest numerical gain of any UH campus with 880 more students than last year, while Windward Community College boasts the largest percentage growth in enrollment at 24.3 percent.

Specific figures for the community college campuses are:

* Hawaii Community College stands at 3,252 students, an increase of 14 percent or 400 students;

* Honolulu Community College registered 4,494 students, an increase of 481 students or 12 percent;

* Kapiolani Community College enrolled 8,782 students, a gain of 880 or 11.1 percent;

* Kauai Community College recorded 1,346 students, a 21.6 percent increase or 239 students;

* Leeward Community College has 7,076 students enrolled, an increase of 752 students or 11.9 percent;

* Maui Community College registered 4,078 students, a gain of 769 or 23.2 percent; and

* Windward Community College recorded 2,305 students, a gain of 451 or 24.3 percent.

Separately, more than 27,000 registrations in non-credit programs are expected throughout the UH System.

For more information, visit www.hawaii.edu/offices/app/openenroll

UH Community Colleges Leadership Champions named

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HONOLULU – The University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges (UHCC) has selected its 6th Generation to its Community Colleges Leadership Champions (CCLC) program. The leadership development program was established six years ago through the generosity of the Joyce S. Tsunoda UHCC Leadership Development Endowment Fund to nurture leadership by growing leaders from within and to identify, encourage, develop and support the next generation of community college leadership.

A candidate from each of the community college’s seven campuses is selected by their college for the 18-month-long program. The CCLC 6th Generation includes:

• Ryan Daniels, Maui Community College
• Sherri Fujita, Hawaiʻi Community College
• Sandra Hoshino, Leeward Community College
• Kristine Korey-Smith, Kapiʻolani Community College
• Carla Rogers, Windward Community College
• Calvin Shirai, Kauaʻi Community College
• Preshess Willets-Vaquilar, Honolulu Community College

Kauaʻi Community College Chancellor Helen Cox presides as the lead mentor for the program.

Candidates for the program may be any faculty, staff or administrator currently employed by a UH community college campus who has demonstrated leadership potential, working for the greater good, and who desires to pursue personal and professional development in community college leadership. These leaders represent liberal arts, career and technical programs, continuing education and training, student services, and administrative services.

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Culinary students at Hawaii Community College-West Hawaii are the beneficiaries of the annual fundraiser, Christmas at Kona Village, Dining with the Chefs. Presented by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Kona Kohala Chefs Association, the holiday gala is 5:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5.

The extravaganza marks its 21st year with tantalizing cuisine prepared by more than 20 top Hawaii chefs. Sample tried-and-true island recipes using fresh, local ingredients farmed here in Hawaii.

Enjoy savory dishes, elegant desserts, mouthwatering confections, 100 percent Kona coffee, handcrafted ales and fine wines. Under the stars, sway to island music by the Kehanlani Trio.

New this year, a live auction solely benefits local culinary scholarships and the food service program at HawCC in Kona. In addition, proceeds will be earmarked for culinary facilities at the proposed Palamanui Campus.

“The facilities at Palamanui will enable us to expand our present Culinary Arts Associate of Applied Science Degree program to accommodate more students,” said James Lightner, hospitality division chairman at HawCC. Lightner expects the construction of new energy efficient and high-tech teaching and baking kitchens, plus a garde manger preparation area, will increase the culinary student capacity “to over 60.”

Lightner, an experienced auctioneer, will oversee the bidding of an exciting lineup of exclusive private dinners, a buffet luncheon, pupu parties and dining certificates.

Bid on a Private Dinner for Eight expertly prepared by Chef Morgan Starr of Mi’s; he recently won the Kona Coffee Festival recipe contest. Other offerings include a Chocolate and Champagne party for 25 at a Keauhou estate and a bountiful buffet lunch for 40 at Hawaii Community College.

“When attending this event, the community is supporting our local hospitality industry and higher education,” said Chef William Kaluakini Trask, ACF Kona Kohala Chefs president.

He said HawCC students, including past event scholarship recipients, will assist participating chefs and confectioners during the evening.

Wowing diners will be more than 20 chefs and confectioners; each offers signature menu items that are sure to please the palate. Taste delicacies such as lobster bisque and tuna tartar by Chef Matthew Zubrod of Monette’s at the Mauna Kea Resort, slow braised brisket of veal by Chef Lou Mellaci of Roy’s Waikoloa Grill and Bar and Korean-style “taco” by Chef Darrel Bali of Kona Village Resort.

Visions of sugarplums will dance in your head after seeing the selection of hand-crafted gelatos, ice cream, chocolates and exquisite desserts by Chef James Ebreo of the Hualalai Resort, Nancy Edney of Tropical Dreams and Cathy Smoot Barrett of Kailua Candy Company.

Attendance to the culinary affair of the season is limited to 500 and ticket prices are $90 per person. In addition, reserved tables of 10 are available for $1,000.

Tickets can be charged by phone at 329-2522 and can be purchased at Kailua Candy Company, Clark Realty/Kona, Kona Wine Market and Kona Village Resort.

Weekend and one-night accommodation packages starting at $195 for single/double occupancy with breakfast, $225 with Sunday brunch and $325 oceanfront rooms with breakfast or brunch are available from Kona Village Resort.

Contact reservations for details at 325-5555 or 800-367-5290 and mention “ACF Christmas at Kona Village.”

ACF is the largest, professional, non-profit organization for chefs and cooks in the nation. Founded in 1980, the Kona Kohala chapter is comprised of food service professionals, vendors and growers.

— Find out more:

www.konakohalachefs.org

Irene and Ron Nagata are flanked by Mariko Miho, UH Foundation senior director of development for community colleges (left) and Barbara A. Arthurs, Hawaii Community College dean of Student Services. (Photo courtesy of UH Foundation)

MEDIA RELEASE

Students enrolled in career or technical programs at Hawaii Community College are the beneficiaries of a new scholarship fund. 

Big Island residents Ronald and Irene Nagata recently established the Ronald H. and Irene M. Nagata Endowed Scholarship Fund with a gift of $25,000 to increase access and expand learning opportunities for students.  

Their endowed fund will provide financial assistance for tuition, books, equipment, and/or tools of the trade. 

“I would like to extend a mahalo nui to Ron and Irene for their generosity and aloha,” said Rockne Freitas, Hawaii Community College chancellor. “This gift will help eliminate the financial barriers many of our students face in pursuing a post secondary educational degree or certificate and allow them to take advantage of this window of opportunity we call education.”

Both Ronald and Irene attended the University of Hawaii at Hilo and the University of Hawaii at Manoa before they received their masters’ degrees at Kansas State University.  

After having been away for a time, they took up residency in Hilo where Irene taught at Hawaii Community College (Trade & Industries & Liberal Arts, professor emeritus) and Ronald started an architectural practice.

They raised three children: Robb, a graduate of the University of California at San Diego and University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine, is now an anesthesiologist; Renee, who started her schooling at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and went to Iowa State University Graduate School for Veterinary Medicine, is now a practicing veterinarian; and Rochelle, who started her schooling at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and went on to the University of Idaho Architecture Program and Massachusetts Institute of Technology for graduate school, is now a practicing architect and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consultant. 

“Our family is making this gift to say mahalo to our community for the kokua they gave to us when we first moved back home to Hawaii,” Irene said.  

Scholarship criteria include students who are full-time undergraduates with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above. 

Preference will be given to a Big Island high school graduate and financial need is a criterion in making this award, although not necessarily as defined by federal guidelines.

Recipients will be selected by a committee appointed by the Chancellor of Hawaii Community College, and the number and amount of awards shall be determined by the selection committee based on the availability of funds. 

The University of Hawaii Foundation, a non-profit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaii System. Its mission is to unite donors’ passions with the University of Hawaii’s aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaii and beyond. 

— Find out more:

University of Hawaii Foundation: hawaii.edu“>www.uhf. hawaii.edu

Photography by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.org

Kids from Merahi Productions put on a Tahitian performance to entertain the crowd at Hawaii Community College's Earth Fair held on the school's upper campus. The event featured entertainment, educational booths, food, videos and gave away tree seedlings and prizes.

Mauna Loa Observatory scientist Aidan Colton, right, demonstrates how clouds are formed by making a cloudbank in an instant with a globe of water vapor during the Earth Fair by Hawaii Community College in Hilo.

The Capoeira Angola Musica & Movement group performs at the Earth Day Fair by Hawaii Community College on the UH-Hilo campus. The groups uses movement to represent the essence of combat without fighting.