Graduation Planning

Step 2: Getting Ready for the Ceremony

Order Cap and Gown

Order online or pick up in-store. The Honolulu Community College bookstore is coordinating the distribution of caps, gowns, and tassels. The bookstore is located on the first floor of Building 2. The complete package cost for cap, gown, and tassel is approximately $58.95. Caps and gowns are black and sold by height. Sizes are limited. Tassels are teal and available for individual purchase. Ensure that your gown is ironed and/or crease free for the Graduation ceremony. You may wear a black graduation gown that you already own. Graduates without gowns will NOT be able to participate in this event. Also, plan ahead with enough bobby pins to secure your caps as necessary. The attire worn under the gown should be fitting of the formality of the ceremony. We recommend comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Cap and Gown Loans & Donations

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may borrow a donated gown; please send an email to Student Life at hccsld@hawaii.edu to explain your situation. All requests will be evaluated and we will let you know the outcome. Last day to request a doner gown to be mailed is May 7 at Noon. Last day to pick up in person is Wednesday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m.

Decorate Cap

Over the past years, some students have really enjoyed decorating their graduation cap to reflect their pride in their major and/or campus. These designs have been flat or 3-D and made from a variety of materials. This year, we will be awarding prizes to those students who best exemplify resilience or their major (Liberal Arts students may use a future major or career). For example, Sheet Metal could have a metal piece on their cap, a replica of an item they have built, a picture that represents the trade or union. The possibilities are endless. All caps must be recognizable as graduation caps and wearable for the ceremony.

Regulations:

• One cap may be submitted for each graduate with their own original work.
• Decorations are not to exceed 6 inches high, and the dimensions of the cap.
• Please be mindful of the weight.
• Students wishing to compete must submit their cap as soon as they arrive.

Honor Cords and Stoles

Students who have earned at least 24 credits at Honolulu Community College and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better as of FALL 2024 will be acknowledged in the program and at the ceremony as “with honors.” Those students will be awarded a gold honor cord on site only.

Graduating veterans or active duty students will be acknowledged with a red, white and blue cord. You must attend the event to receive your honor and/or VA cord on site only.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, CSO Student Leaders and Kulana Hawai’i participants must contact their advisors well in advance to arrange the appropriate ceremony regalia.

Get Involved in the Ceremony

View Graduation Speaker/Singer Audition Flyer (PDF)

Auditions for Ceremony Speaker

Speaker auditions will be held in Student Life and Development office Building 2, Room 113, on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

Graduating student interested in speaking must:

• Be a member of the Honolulu Community College graduating class.
• Have the ability to represent Honolulu Community College.
• Be able to perform in front of an audience.
• Prepare and present the actual speech to be given 3 – 5 minutes long

Sign up for graduation student speaker auditions

Auditions for Ceremony Singer

Singer auditions will be held in Student Life and Development office Building 2, Room 113, on Friday, March 28, 2025 at 2:30 p.m.

Student interested in singing must:

• Be a current Honolulu Community College student or member of the Honolulu Community College graduating class 2024-2025.
• Have the ability to represent Honolulu Community College.
• Be able to perform in front of an audience.
• Prepare to sing acapella the National Anthem or Hawai’i Pono’i.

Sign up for graduation student singer auditions

Opening Protocol

Oli Puka Kula will be led by Kulana Hawai’i Hawaiian Programs: If you are interested in participating in this opening protocol, please contact Kumu Kalani Flores-Hatt, Jr. at pflores@hawaii.edu.

Accommodations

Requests for a disability/ADA accommodations may be made by emailing accesshcc-l@lists.hawaii.edu or by calling (808) 845-9272 V/T. Two weeks advance notice requested. Guests using wheelchairs should contact the ushers upon arrival at the Waikīkī Shell for seating suggestions.

Photos and Videos

The audience may take photographs and videos from their seats only. The Picture Man of Hawai’i will take individual photographs of students as they are recognized on stage. The photographer will send you free digital proofs after the commencement, and you may order additional photographs at that time.

If you do not wish to have your email address forwarded to the photographer, so that he can send the proofs to you, please submit your request in writing by May 1, 2025.

For more information on ordering photographs, call 808-499-2400 or visit www.pmoh.com. Honolulu Community College will take photos and videos of the ceremony to capture the history, pride, and appreciation students have of Honolulu Community College. We may interview graduates about the journey from the first day of class to graduation. We encourage everyone to participate in sharing memories.

Step 3: Invite Your Family and Friends

Time: Gates open at 5:15 PM. Ceremony start at 6:00 PM

Location: Waikīkī Shell (No Tickets Required)

The gates to the Waikīkī Shell will open to family, friends, and guests at 5:15 p.m. When guests arrive, graduates will already be lining up in preparation for the procession. Family should not expect to see graduates in the Waikīkī Shell before the ceremony. Guests should take their seats and greet their graduates after the ceremony. The procession will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. Late guests may be restricted from seating until a break in the graduation program.

As is our tradition, this year’s ceremony will be held at the Waikīkī Shell (2805 Monsarrat Ave) in Kap‘iolani Park, between Waikīkī and Diamond Head in Honolulu, with the world-famous Diamond Head Crater for a backdrop. The Waikīkī Shell is a spectacular location for us to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. The venue seats 2,400 with an additional 6,000 in the lawn area. Seating is first come, first serve, with reserved sections only for graduates, faculty, and college-affiliated personnel.

Parking at and near Waikīkī Shell is limited. Special parking will NOT be available. Plan enough time for travel and parking or car pool to allow getting to Waikīkī early or staying after to enjoy the park and beach to avoid the high traffic flow times.

After the event there will be large signs posted on the perimeter of the grounds. Graduates meet friends and family at the sign that corresponds to the graduates’ major. It is best to decide before the ceremony if you are designating an alternate meeting place.

Step 4: Day of the Ceremony

Graduate Rehearsal: 3:30 PM

Graduates, arrive at the Waikīkī Shell by 3:30 p.m., Friday, May 16 for a short rehearsal so that all graduates are familiar with the process of the actual ceremony.

The front gate will open to graduates only approximately at 3:00 p.m.

Plan extra time for travel and parking since traffic is expected.

Bring and/or come wearing your cap and gown.

We recommend that if you must bring a handbag, that it be one that fits neatly under your gown. There are no places to leave or store bulky belongings. Re-entry will not be allowed.

Light snacks and refreshments provided by your student leaders. A photo zone to take pics with you own camera will be available. We will then line up for the actual ceremony.

No guest or children allowed at rehearsal.

Code of Conduct

This is an alcohol-free substance-free event. We ask that all graduates and guests respect the importance of this occasion by cooperating with Honolulu Community College and the graduation rules of the Waikīkī Shell. This is an official event, and the college withholds the right to apply appropriate sanctions to anyone violating the standards of respect and courtesy specified in the University of Hawai’i Code of Conduct. For the safety and security of all guests and graduates, please follow the instructions of the college, venue, and security personnel before, during and after commencement. As a reminder, please follow the rules as they pertain to graduation at the Waikīkī Shell. All packages, gifts, lei, posters, etc. must fit on your lap or under the seat. No aisles can be obstructed. All packages are subject to search. Large bags may be denied entry if they won’t fit or contain unsuitable items.

• No outside food or beverages including water bottles (water will be provided to graduates)
• No tailgating/picnicking in the parking areas, grass areas or on walkways
• All children must be accompanied by an adult not participating in the ceremony
• No strollers inside the seating areas – strollers must be checked with the usher staff
• No sticks or rods – posters cannot be mounted
• No chairs
• No tripods in aisles
• No drones
• No laser pointers
• No noise-makers or air horns
• No silly string, confetti or confetti cannons
• No aisles can be obstructed

Step 5: After the Ceremony

Gown Donation

To assist future graduates who may find it hard to afford a cap and/or gown, we will be collecting donations of used gowns after the ceremony. If you have no plans to re-use your cap and/ or gown, please leave it in the donation box at the exit of the event or bring it to the Student Life and Development office anytime thereafter. If you have any questions feel free to email hccsld@hawaii.edu.

Directions to return your gown to Student Life & Development:

View Parking Map (PDF)

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on the student’s graduation application. Because semester records will not be available by commencement, the conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that degree requirements have been met. For further information, contact the Records Office at (808) 845-9120.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking? Where do I park?

There is no special parking for graduates or guests. Free and paid parking is available in the area. Allow time to find parking and walk over to the Waikīkī Shell.

View Waikīkī Shell in Google Maps

What are the school colors?

Teal is the school color. It is often accompanied by silver, white, or black.

I’m graduating with honors. Where do I get my honor cord?

You must attend the event to get your honor cord. They are ceremonial and therefore only gifted to those who attend the ceremony. Your printed diploma and the event program will indicate if you have honors.

I already have a black gown, can I wear that one?

Yes. Any black gown similar to the ones for sale at the bookstore is allowed. You can contact the Bookstore about buying the appropriate tassel for your cap.