Pi‘i ka nalu, hokua ka nalu, po‘i ka nalu a pae (The wave rises, the wave crests, the wave breaks, then one comes ashore.)
- Eligibility
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- Staff and Peer Mentors
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- Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center
Established in 1995, Poʻi Nā Nalu is Honolulu Community College’s oldest Native Hawaiian-serving program, dedicated to empowering Native Hawaiian students through culturally grounded, strengths-based support. The program serves students in Career and Technical Education (CTE), increasing access, retention, completion, and career readiness while preparing them for high-demand careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Services include outreach, workshops, mentoring, financial literacy education, textbook and tool loans, and hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen both cultural identity and professional growth.
Eligibility
- Native Hawaiian ancestry
- Honolulu Community College must be your home campus
- Enrolled in a Career & Technical Education or STEM program
- In good academic standing (minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0)
How to Apply
Applications for Poʻi Nā Nalu are accepted year-round based upon your eligibility and availability of space. To apply, please complete and submit the Poʻi Nā Nalu application.
Services We Offer
Po‘i Nā Nalu supports the academic and professional goals of our participants through a variety of services.
Eligible students may borrow the following items through our loan-out program:
- Laptops
- Textbooks
- Tools
- Electronics: calculators, cameras, headphones, projectors, etc.
- Resource books and DVDs (in-house use only)
Protective Wear/Uniform assistance may also be available.
Poʻi Nā Nalu offers workshops and field trips focused on College and Career Development, Cultural Enrichment, Financial Literacy, Community Service and four-year college campus visits.
Past workshops and field trips:
- Lomilomi and Lā‘au Lapa‘au
- Building Math Skills
- Personal Statement and Resume Writing
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Assistance
- Hawaiʻi News Now Station
- Iolani Palace and Bishop Museum
- The Honolulu Symphony
- Kewalo Marine Lab
- Kawaiahaʻo Church and Preschool
Makawalu College Transfer
The Makawalu College Transfer program prepares students for careers in current or emerging professions by offering exposure to various four-year degree programs.
Participating students will:
- Engage in information sessions conducted by professionals on relevant career paths
- Engage in discussions with University transfer students
- Visit student support programs throughout the University system
- Learn about baccalaureate and graduate educational opportunities at other campuses
- Interact with university faculty, staff and students
- Acclimate to a university setting
Poʻi Nā Nalu offers Peer Mentoring and Academic Tutoring to support participating students. Peer mentors help students adjust to college life, build confidence, and develop effective study habits. They share strategies for managing coursework, using campus resources, and staying motivated, all while fostering a sense of belonging and community that strengthens academic performance and student success.
Tutoring subjects vary each semester.
Poʻi Nā Nalu’s Ke Ala Noelo Career Readiness Program is designed to offer Poʻi Nā Nalu participants an invaluable opportunity to prepare for and network within their future professional community.
Through hands-on training and professional mentoring, student interns receive relevant and rigorous educational experiences in preparation for their aspiring careers. Eligible students may receive a stipend upon internship completion.
Past internship sites:
- HonCC Cosmetology Department
- Malama Honua Public Charter School
- iHeartRadio
- Amano Construction Company
- Honolulu Community Action Program
- World Class Auto Body & Paint
- Kumuola Foundation
- O‘ahu Performance Marine
- UH Mānoa’s Children Center at Kūhiō
Participants of the Ke Ala Noelo Internship Program also gain specialized training vital to building career and technical knowledge and skills through:
- Personal Statement Writing
- Resumé Building
- Mock Interviews
- Professional Skills Workshops
- Presentations
The following services are provided pending the availability of funds. Please inquire with program staff for more information.
Poʻi Nā Nalu supports attendance at local and national conferences applicable to participants’ career paths. Eligibility is based upon your active participation in Poʻi Nā Nalu and relevance of each conference to your major. Support can include airfare, lodging, ground transportation, meals, and conference fees.
Past conferences:
- Phi Theta Kappa Honors Institute
- National Association of Home Builders Student Competition
- SEMA Show
- Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference
- Annual Native Hawaiian Education Association Convention
Po‘i Nā Nalu students may also receive financial assistance in obtaining:
- Certifications (i.e. First Aid, Automotive Service Excellence)
- Licensures (i.e. Hawai‘i State Cosmetology license)
- Memberships in academic and professional associations (i.e. Phi Theta Kappa)
- Study materials for professional certifications and licensures
Get in Touch
Po‘i Nā Nalu
Hulili Ke Kukui Hawaiian Center
Building 5, 2nd Floor (makai wing)
Phone: (808) 844-2322
Calendar of Events
Follow us on Instagram
Staff Information
Program Manager
Greg Kashigi
(808) 844-2322
Scholarships
There is free money out there waiting for you! Many organizations and donors are looking to help students like you alleviate educational costs. You must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for most need-based scholarships.
- OHA Scholarships
- ALU LIKE Inc., Hana Lima Scholarship: DEADLINE ongoing
- Kamehameha Schools Na Hookama Scholarship: DEADLINE 1/15
- Pauahi Foundation Scholarship: DEADLINE 1/29
- Hawaii Community Foundation: DEADLINE 2/1
- UH Common Scholarship: DEADLINE 3/1
Staff & Peer Mentors
Greg Kashigi
Program Manager
gkashigi@hawaii.edu
Direct (808) 844-2322
‘Ale Po‘i Newsletter
The ‘Ale Po‘i newsletter keeps participants updated on Po‘i Nā Nalu events and opportunities. Filled with pictures, important announcements, and student-focused stories, it makes an easy and informative read. Highlights of the newsletter include: Scholarship Announcements, Campus and Community Resources, Internship Opportunities, Huaka‘i and Workshops, Student Success Stories, and Hawaiian Word of the Month.
Testimonials
Personal Growth
“I’ve wanted to become a firefighter ever since my sophomore year in High School when firefighters made entry into my house and did their best to stabilize my grandpa who was having a heart attack. Over the past two years, I have grown so much as a person and I can’t thank everyone that has supported me enough. I am most thankful for my grandparents and Poʻi Nā Nalu for supporting me throughout my college journey.”
Supporting My Journey
“Poʻi Nā Nalu has supported me in my educational technological journey in more ways than one. From personal tutoring services, financial aid in purchasing books and equipment for my trade, to their sincere concerns and kōkua in mitigating the academic pathway to success. To all those Native Hawaiian students who have made the decisions to improve their quality of life and standard of living by enrolling in the UH Honolulu Community College, do not despair, for Poʻi Nā Nalu is there – to help you ride that wave to reach your goals. One of my greatest accomplishments here at HCC was making the Dean’s List for the Fall 2019 semester, and of course, being selected for Kilohana Student of the Month!”
An Opportunity of a Lifetime
“Poʻi Nā Nalu helped in my academic journey in so many ways. Firstly, I was lucky enough to become a student worker with them during the second week of school. Working for them allowed me to get involved on campus and opened me up to the entire Hulili Ke Kukui ʻohana. Secondly, PNN helped to keep me accountable. Having to do mid-semester checks in order to stay active motivated me to push through any setbacks and openly communicate with my teachers. Lastly, and most importantly, PNN offered me the opportunity of a lifetime. They paid my entry fee into Phi Theta Kappa International Honors Society and then sent me to San Diego for a week long Honor’s Institute where I met amazing people who will surely be the next generation of leaders, many of whom I am still friends with today. Greg, Auntie Kathy, and Noʻi were there for me as both academic and emotional support through all the ups and downs of my journey and with too many letters of recommendation to count. I will always be grateful for everything they have helped me to accomplish.”
A Boost of Confidence
“The staff are caring, supportive, and filled with the aloha spirit. They have even asked me for my opinion about programs they are developing. This has helped me to realize that not only is Poʻi Nā Nalu important to me, but I am important to Poʻi Nā Nalu. It gives me a big boost of confidence!”
Preparing for My Career
“I felt that my internship prepared me a lot for what it means to be a preschool teacher, as well as how to put together activities, and conduct a parent-teacher conference. I felt that I enjoyed my internship this semester, and I feel more prepared to be a preschool teacher.”
Making a Financial Difference
“As a student and a mom of young kids, the financial help Po‘i Nā Nalu gave me made a big difference to me. They paid me a stipend for my cosmetology internship. They even paid for my membership in the PTK Honor Society and showed up at the ceremony to give me moral support. In my whole life I never received an honor or recognition for my work. So belonging to the PTK Honor Society and Po‘i Nā Nalu is a big deal to me!”
Learning Who I Am
“I wasn’t too in touch with my Hawaiian side, but joining Po‘i Nā Nalu opened the door for me to learn who I am, where I came from, and what my ancestors did. To know that my ancestors and I are part of that history made me feel that finally, I belong!”
Character and Belief System
“Poʻi Nā Nalu and those who worked there have always been welcoming, encouraging, and supportive. They helped to springboard the paradigm shift of my character and belief system. I utilized tutoring and the computer room, attended workshops, participated in Mālama ʻĀina events (I miss those so very much); however, the most endearing of all is that Poʻi Nā Nalu gave me a safe place to be. There is no judgement, no pressure, only the sense of nurturing and support.”
