KCC Goes Platinum
On August 3, Kapiʻolani Community College was declared a Platinum Campus by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, for being a tobacco-free campus. There are 10 regional Offices of the Assistant Secretary of Health, and Hawaiʻi belongs to Region IX. Upon presenting a special certificate of recognition, Betsy L. Thompson, who is the deputy regional health administrator for Region IX, announced that Kapiʻolani CC is the first Platinum Campus in Hawaiʻi. There are only 16 Platinum Campuses in Region IX.
For Kapiʻolani CC, it all began when students brought their concern about tobacco use and the problems associated with smoking to campus administrators. Their concern became part of a major health initiative at the college.