They will also encounter challenges, possibly even injustice and even deep loss. He told graduates that their lives won’t always be filled with joy and celebration like that on Friday night. But no matter how people defined it through the centuries, from an ancient Hawaiian chiefess to a Holocaust survivor and even Stevie Wonder, aloha is what made them refuse to become victims to their circumstances.
For what matters is that we are now here, together, sharing aloha,” Akina said, using words taught to him by his kumu hula and adding that aloha has served as the bedrock of his life, anchoring him to an unswerving foundation no matter where life’s winds have blown.ĭuring his address, Akina spoke much about aloha and how it’s been interpreted by different cultures and religions. “It does not matter where you came from, whether near or far. He said the graduates have have invested the time, the energy and the personal commitment to reach a stepping stone toward fulfilling their dreams.
#Sail forth program at open society foundations full
“My heart is full of aloha as I look out upon all of you who are gathered to celebrate this great, momentous occasion,” Keli‘i Akina, president and CEO of the Grassroot Institute of Hawai’i and at-large trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, told graduates and those in attendance during his keynote address. “May we continue to strive towards our excellence while also never forgetting to take care of our friends, family and our community and ourselves,” she said, adding she and her classmates will always remember “we were all launched to soar from Hawai‘i Community College.” Leviticus looks forward to seeing her fellow graduates leave their mark on the world and achieve new milestones, with their education at HCC as the foundation. More images from HCC commencement Friday night at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo. Each had their own, unique experience during their journey to get to commencement, and despite having to face challenges and learn new ways to succeed amid a global pandemic, with the help of faculty, family and others, the class of 2022 has already soared to great heights. She said no matter why they decided to attend HCC two and a half years ago, what is important is that they were there - graduating - Friday night. We learned a lot about time management skills, accountability, taking ownership of our work and better understanding ourselves, believing that I can do this and I will succeed,” Leviticus, a mother of two who plans to pursue nursing at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, said during her address. “We worked diligently and stayed up late to meet deadlines. There was an undeniable feeling of joy and excitement that permeated the stadium as everyone celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates. The ceremony also included music by the Hawai’i County Band, a hula presentation and the bestowing of special awards, including the Excellence in Teaching Award given to HCC geography instructor Drew Kapp and the Alumnus of the Year Award given to Erick Cremer. HCC staff and faculty watched from the wings along with several dignitaries, including Hawai‘i first lady Dawn Ige. And there were plenty of lei to go around. They sat in chairs on the stadium’s main floor, decked out in the familiar black gowns and caps, several adorned with extra flare such as glittery messages and lights, and other garb signifying any honors they received.īalloons with words of congratulations bobbed and waved in the gentle breeze blowing through the facility. Of the 533 graduates in the class of 2022, 185 participated in the ceremony at Edith Kanaka‘ole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo, accepting their degrees or certificates in front of ‘ohana and friends watching from the stadium’s seats. HCC’s 81st commencement featured all the pomp and circumstance expected of a graduation ceremony. “Our academic journey has been such a crazy roller-coaster ride,” Carty Leviticus, a liberal arts graduate, said during her address to fellow graduates. (Photos by Thatcher Moats/Courtesy of Hawai‘i Community College) Hawai‘i Community College liberal arts graduate Carty Leviticus gives her address Friday night during commencement in Hilo.
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