Graduation Planning

Step 2: Get Your Regalia

Order Cap and Gown

Order now, Pick up after April 17th

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 $42.95. Caps and gowns are black and sold by height. Tassels are teal. Sizes are limited. 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.

The Bookstore will start selling Cap and Gown sets in-store from Monday April 17th. Bookstore hours are 10 am to 3 pm Monday to Thursday. Graduates may also purchase Cap and Gown sets via the bookstore website under the Grad Store menu. They also sell individual tassels for those who already have a cap and gown.

Cap and Gown Loans & Donations

If you are in a 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 gown be mailed is May 2 at Noon. Last day to pick up in person is Wednesday, May 10 at 3:00 pm.

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.

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.

Library Take It & Make It

The library has an assortment of vinyl decals and stickers to decorate a graduation cap or to create a sign to support a friend graduating. Available while supplies last.

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 2022 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. 

Veterans and military family members 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 Kūlana Hawai’i participants must contact their advisors well in advance to arrange the appropriate ceremony regalia.

Step 3: Get Involved in the Ceremony

Auditions for Ceremony Singer and Speaker

Sign up now to Audition March 31, 2023.

Auditions will be held in Student Life and Development office Building 2, Room 113, on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 3:30 pm.

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
• Link to Sign Up: https://forms.gle/xy7Nqcc81EDhM9hv7

Student interested in singing must:

• Be a current Honolulu Community College student or member of the Honolulu Community College graduating class 2022-2023.
• 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.
• Link to sign up: https://forms.gle/a2YaQ1CRCTNCK95V

Opening Protocol

(Oli Puka Kula) led by Kūlana Hawai’i Hawaiian Programs: If you are interested in participating in this opening protocol, please contact Kaleialoha Lum-Ho or Kahale Saito. Oli training dates and kihei prep dates will be forth coming to those who sign-up.

Accommodations

Requests for a disability/ADA accommodations may be made by emailing or by calling (808) 844-2392 V/T. Two weeks advance notice requested. Guests using wheelchairs should contact the ushers upon arrival at the Waikiki 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 proof to you, please submit your request in writing by May 1, 2023.

Commencement Ceremony Request
Records Office
874 Dillingham Blvd.
Honolulu, HI, 96817

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

Step 4: Invite Your Family and Friends

Tell you family and friends! No tickets are required for entry. You may invite an unlimited number of friends, family and colleagues. 

This year’s ceremony will be held at the Waikiki Shell (2805 Monsarrat Ave) in Kap‘iolani Park, between Waikiki and Diamond Head in Honolulu, with the world-famous Diamond Head Crater for a backdrop. The Waikiki 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.

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

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

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

Requests for a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation may be made by contacting accesshcc-l@lists.hawaii.edu or by calling (808) 844-2392 V/T. Two weeks advance notice requested.

Guests using wheelchairs should contact the ushers upon arrival at the Waikiki Shell for seating suggestions. If guests need ADA accommodations to participate in any of these activities, please contact (808) 844-2392 or email accesshcc-l@lists.hawaii.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.

Step 5: Day of the Ceremony

Arrive at the Waikiki Shell by 3:30 pm, Friday, May 12

We will do a short rehearsal so that everyone is familiar with the process of the actual ceremony.

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.

During rehearsal, there will also be light refreshments provided by your student leaders and an opportunity to get information regarding your photos of the event, diplomas, and alumni association membership. We will then line up for the actual ceremony.

Graduates Arrive between 3:00 pm and 3:30 pm.  Enter through the Main Gate of the Waikiki Shell.

• Arrive on time so we can seat you with your major.
• Plan extra time for travel and parking since traffic is expected.
• Bring and/or come wearing your cap and gown.
• If you must bring a handbag or bag, it must fit neatly under your gown. There are no places to leave or store bulky belongings.

Code of Conduct

This is an alcohol-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. As stated under the UH System COVID-19 Guidelines, face masks are not required outdoors but are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings and for activities in close contact with others. All packages, gifts, leis, 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

Location of Ceremony

This year’s ceremony will be held at the Waikiki Shell (2805 Monsarrat Ave) in Kapi‘olani Park, between Waikiki and Diamond Head in Honolulu, with the world-famous Diamond Head Crater for a backdrop. The Waikiki Shell is a spectacular location for us to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.

Step 6: 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 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, call (808) 845-9120.

Photos and Video

For more information on ordering photographs from Picture Man of Hawaii, call (808) 499-2400 or visit www.pmoh.com. Please share your pictures and video on social media using: #HonCCGrad23, #WeAreHonolulu

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot financially afford a Cap & Gown or any other obstacle keeping you from attending the ceremony?

Cap and Gown Loans & Donations: If you are in a 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 gown be mailed is May 2 at Noon. Last day to pick up in person is Wednesday, May 10 at 3:00 pm

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.

Is there parking?

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 Waikiki Shell.

View Waikiki 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.