Kuilei Courageous Conversations

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In this final episode of the season, we chat with someone who is not a stranger to our Podcast, Ms. Jenny Brown, and someone new, Mr. Micah Tutuvanu. They are two wonderful students who shared insights of what they went through as students and tips for students who are at the beginning stages of their college careers.

Please take a moment to listen to their Courageous Conversations. Enjoy and share widely!

Thank you so much for tuning in!

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In this episode are two Kapi'olani Community College students, Aura Coffman and Matthew Sun, who are currently in their 2nd (AND FINAL) year in the Rad Tech Program. Listen to the level of commitment and sacrifices they made prior to getting in as well as their level of dedication while in the Program. Phrases like you must "love the work" and finding satisfaction with "trying to help people in their worst moments in their lives" signifies it is more than a degree but something aligned with their core values. Please enjoy this Courageous Conversation and share widely!

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In this episode are two Kapiʻolani Community College students, Naomi Ellison and Grace Morita, who are currently enrolled in the Collegeʻs most competitive and sought after Nursing Program. Learn how they made all kinds of sacrifices to achieve their personal and academic goals. Please enjoy this honest and unfiltered Courageous Conversation. It is also worth noting that Naomi is the President of the Student Nursing Association and Grace is the Vice President. 

Share widely! 

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In this episode, we learn about Ms. Jenny Brown's journey from Kapi'olani CC to earning her Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering. Oh, and BTW, she just started her Master's Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

She highlights many "side quests", that include avocados to black holes, as learning opportunities and growth. Her mindset of "All you have to do is try" opened up so many pathways, and there is so much waiting for her. It is worth mentioning with all of her hard work that she graduated debt free and started graduate school fully covered.

She is passionate about getting more involved with her community while breaking down barriers to make education accessible to all.  

Please enjoy our Conversation with Ms. Jenny Brown and share widely!

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On behalf of the Kuilei Outreach Program at Kapiʻolani Community College, we would like to thank all of our guests for carving out time in their extremely busy days to share their stories. We continue to feel fortunate to chat with talented individuals who are making a difference. We also want to thank all of our listeners. It truly means a lot that you are with us on this amazing journey. 

Please take care of yourselves and each other. Happy New Year!

Alfie and Sheldon

Original music by Joe Yoshida

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In this podcast, I'll be talking about Kapi‘olani Community College's Early Admit Program (formerly known as Dual Credit).  Our podcast back in 2020 continues to get some download therefore we wanted to offer something more recent. 

There is growing interest around Early Admit thus wanted to take this opportunity to share the process along with insights and tips.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Kuilei Outreach Program at [email protected].  

Thanks!

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This was the best way to close out this season! In this episode we would like to introduce Kapi'olani CC graduate, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ken Takemura, recruiter for the Hawai'i Army National Guard. His journey may not fall under the "typical" pathway but it is more common than you think. As one of three with a single mom, he had to figure out how to make it work with the resources provided. He made some huge sacrifices at a young age that includes working full-time, fulling his duties with the Hawai'i Army National Guard, and taking courses at Kapi'olani CC that helped create the best version of himself. He adds how "everyone has their own clock" and how learning is a lifelong process no matter where you go. 

Please enjoy our season closer and share widely!  

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In this episode, we are excited to introduce Mr. Tyler Castro, Engineering Coordinator with Embassy Suites AND a graduate of Kapiʻolani CC's Hospitality and Tourism Program. This Farrington High School graduate has been doing amazing things in the hospitality industry. Learn about how seizing opportunities has taken him to new heights and continuous learning opportunities. He demonstrated his grit and determination through many of his accomplishments such as the 2024 Leader of the Year Award with Embassy Suites to his 2025 Na Poʻe Paʻahana Engineering and Maintenance Person of the Year. We were so fortunate to learn from this wonderful individual. Enjoy and share widely!

Original music by Joe Yoshida

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We are so excited to share with you all another amazing interview with a former Kapiʻolani CC student, Ms. Sofia Matias. She talks about coming from humble beginnings to traveling the globe. She credits her mom who provided the space and support to truly be her genuine self. Even after completing her Bachelorʻs degree in Political Science in 2021, she is still a life long learner. Her words of advice include to always be curious and to take risks and one of her many gems was "I donʻt know what I want to be but I know how I want to feel" when talking about her future self. 

She also has a podcast called "The Wāhine Collective". 

Please enjoy and share widely. Thank you so much for tuning in!

Original music by Jon Hashimoto

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Thank you for tuning in for another exciting episode! Up next we have a graduate of Kapiʻolani Community Collegeʻs Medical Lab Technician degree, Mr. Garth Weitzel. He is also a LONG TIME childhood friend (of Sheldonʻs). =). He holds a position at the Diagnostic Laboratory Services (DLS) as a Laboratory Information Systems guy but his journey to this stage in his professional life had many twists and turns. 

Please listen and learn about how his academic pathway was filled with peaks, valleys, failures, reflection, and of course, success. His story is actually quite common therefore his insights and words of advice are amazing.

Please enjoy and share widely!