Hawai‘i CC 75th anniversary fundraiser
Members of the Hawai‘i Community College (Hawai‘i CC) ‘ohana celebrated the college’s 75th anniversary on Saturday, November 7.
Hawai‘i CC was founded in 1941 as the Hawai‘i Vocational School with five trades programs and 183 students. The college has continually evolved to meet needs of employers and students, and Hawai‘i CC now offers 26 academic programs and has more than 3,000 students enrolled in Hilo and at the new campus in Kona named Hawai‘i Community College – Pālamanui.
The fundraiser on Saturday featured speeches, a silent auction, and a vintage fashion show.
Hawai‘i CC awarded Matthew Y.P. Chow an honorary certificate during the event. Chow, an 89-year-old Hilo resident, enrolled in the welding program from 1941 to 1943. He never received a diploma, however, because a curfew imposed from sunset to sunrise as a result of World War II prevented a commencement ceremony from taking place.
Hawai‘i CC Alumni and Friends will use the proceeds from the fundraiser to create an endowment that will provide scholarships for students.
