It’s never too late to return to college and rediscover your path. Shanelle Hokuleʻa Dragomanovich’s higher education journey proves this. After graduating from Honolulu Community College’s Fashion Technology program in 2007, life took an unexpected turn when her infant son became seriously ill. She paused her academic and professional goals to care for him.

Years later, with her son now grown, Dragomanovich returned to Honolulu CC to pursue new skills in design—this time with a focus on technology. On May 16, she will graduate with an associate in science degree from Honolulu CC’s (AEC) program, specializing in architectural technologies.

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Drawn to the AEC program for its hands-on aspects, Dragomanovich discovered a passion for architectural design. Her background in art, dance, storytelling and fashion informed her studies and offered a unique perspective on the psychological impact and use of space.

The return to school wasn’t without challenges. Dragomanovich overcame her initial technological anxieties by adopting a “beginner’s mind,” finding that asking questions helped others too.

Her message to those considering a return to education: “It’s never too late.”

She emphasized how much she’s grown personally and professionally and is grateful for what she found at Honolulu CC. Dragomanovich credits her professors—especially AEC lecturer Michael Kaʻainoni—for his dedication to helping students attribute meaning and purpose to their work.

Kaʻainoni said, “As a Native Hawaiian and a woman, Ms. Dragomanovich is a testament that persistence, motivation and intelligence are necessary tools to break through life obstacles and that it elevates you to be a contributing member on campus, in the community and the greater society.”

Dragomanovich also found vital support through Poʻi Nā Nalu. The program’s goal is to prepare Native Hawaiian students for employment into high-demand occupations with family-sustaining wages by providing vigorous and culturally appropriate opportunities for academic and professional success.

“[Poʻi Nā Nalu] gave me the opportunity to meet other students from [the Fire & Environmental Emergency Response program] and other programs. [It] was so awesome. It provided a sense of community and place that is rare,” Dragomanovich said.

Her final advice to others: “Everything you want in life is standing on the opposite side of your fear.”

—By Iris Greges

The Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) has selected Assistant Professor Norman Takeya as one of two recipients for the 2020 Mark Hasso Educator of the Year Award. This annual award recognizes excellence in construction management practices and honors individuals based on merit.

After earning his degree and working in the construction industry, the Hilo native joined Honolulu CC in 2006, first in the then transitioned to grow the (AEC) program. Takeya has led AEC students to national competitions all over the U.S. in addition to receiving numerous awards locally from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Residential Construction Management Competition. He received the 2015 UH Board of Regents Excellence in Teaching Award and, in 2016, the Outstanding Educator award from NAHB. Takeya is also a well-known master ʻukulele maker and instructor.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award, but it’s really been a privilege to teach and mentor the AEC students over the past 10 years,” said Takeya. “The local businesses should also be recognized in this award because they frequently refer students to the program, provide internship opportunities, and hire and promote AEC graduates.”

Karen Lee, Honolulu CC interim chancellor said, “Norman is always encouraging students to learn and excel with the newest technologies, and graduates are being rewarded with very lucrative jobs. We are thrilled that CMAA recognized his many outstanding contributions to our students and the construction industry.”

CMAA is dedicated to improving the nation’s infrastructure by advancing professional construction and program management worldwide. Award winners will be honored during , in October.

“Each of our award winners work hard to make a difference, and we commend each of them for their achievements and contributions to the construction industry,” CMAA president and CEO Andrea S. Rutledge .

A student team placed 4th at the in the Associate Programs category at the International Residential Construction Management Competition in Orlando, Florida in early January. The team is comprised of architectural, engineering, CAD technology and construction management students.

The NAHB competition gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a real construction company by completing a management project/proposal. Proposals are submitted to a group of construction company executives who act as judges. During the convention, students defend their proposals to the judges in front of an audience. This competition is held in conjunction with the IBS.

All the work required in the competition was done on the students’ own time outside of class.

Second-year construction management student Allen Chon said that the competition was an unforgettable experience and enhances what is taught in the program while encouraging students to pursue new opportunities.

Home building professionals from around the world attended this year’s IBS—the biggest component of the annual Design and Construction Week®. The events drew more than 85,000 attendees.

“This competition has taught me endurance and has given me the experience I need in the construction field,” team member Rona Lapada said. “I recommend more students as well as our university to take a closer look into this competition and its requirements. It’s great to have represented our state as well as our school!”

The Honolulu CC team sponsors:

• Building Industry Association �鶹��ý
• Elite Pacific Construction
• National Association of Home Builders
• Pacific Architects, Inc.

—By Billie Lueder

student Team 2 placed 2nd and Team 1 placed 10th at the (NAHB) International Builders Show in the Associate Programs category at the International Residential Construction Management Competition in Orlando, Florida.

The student teams are comprised of and students. All the work required in the competition was done on the students personal time outside of class.

“Though there were countless amounts of hardships, you gain an amazing amount of knowledge and skill sets you would not be able to get in a normal class setting. You form bonds with classmates that turn into deeper friendships and meet people who genuinely support what we are doing,” shared student Bruce An.

The NAHB competition gives students the opportunity to apply skills learned in the classroom to a real construction company by completing a management project/proposal. Proposals are submitted to a group of construction company executives who act as judges. During the convention, students defend their proposals to the judges in front of an audience. This competition is held in conjunction with the International Builders Show.

“The Residential Construction Management Competition is an experience to remember! Being a part of an amazing team to represent �鶹��ý, I was honored to work with individuals who share the same passion, dedication and knowledge of this industry,” said student Kayla Dela-Cruz Cadavona.

Student teams

Team #1—Anne Benton, Bruce An, Rona Lapada, Juan Rios, Karen Cacpal
Team #2—Wayne Mathes, Crystian Joy Ibe, Daryl Canaveral, Kayla Cadavona, Ke Lu Zhang

—By Billie Lueder

A Native Hawaiian family in Hilo received keys to a new home today that was custom built from the ground up by students during the past academic year. The college, the family and community partners dedicated the home in the Keaukaha area of Hilo on Thursday, May 12.

The home was built as part of �鶹��ý Community College’s . The Model Home Project was established in 1965, and this year students completed the 49th home constructed through the project.

It takes a team

�鶹��ý CC students in a variety of construction trades programs receive valuable hands-on experience each year by designing, building and landscaping the home.

Students in the college’s design the home; students build the home; students in the install the photovoltaic system; students provide equipment maintenance; students landscape the lot; and members of the conduct the blessing ceremony.

The homes are built with many green features in keeping with the college’s commitment to sustainability. The homes comes with a solar water heater system, a photovoltaic system and many other features such as Energy Star qualified appliances, low v.o.c. paints and more.

Photos from the dedication

View more photos on the .

More about the Model Home Project

The Model Home Project is a partnership with the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acts as the developer and �鶹��ý CC provides the skilled labor force while educating students.

Since the program was founded, more than 3,960 students in �鶹��ý CC construction trades programs have benefited from hands-on experience through the Model Home Project.

UH News video on 46th model home

, May 10, 2013

—By Thatcher Moats

Preparing high school students for the workforce was the theme of a special recognition ceremony that honored 53 high school students entering grades 10-12 and recent 2015 graduates from 21 Oʻahu high schools who successfully completed the Summer Program.

“The goal of our summer program is to ultimately give our students the chance to experience a little bit of the college campus,” explains Kenton Short, Construction Academy Program coordinator. “Students get the opportunity to get hands on training in various trades, giving them the opportunity to make informed choices, so that they can steer their own futures.”

The students were admitted into Honolulu CC for the four-week summer program. First-time students were exposed to four different career industries (carpentry, welding, sheet metal, and architectural, engineering and CAD technologies). Sixteen students are returning for their second, and in some cases, third summer with the program. These students participated in an advanced curriculum featuring carpentry and welding.

The Construction Academy Summer Program started with 12 students in 2008 and has grown over its seven-year existence. The summer experience is an extension of the Construction Academy that is in approximately 16 high schools across the state during the academic year filling the gap of industrial education in the public schools. The program was established through a grant funded by the and continues to operate solely on legislative funding.

“With the future workforce projection in the construction industry, we are able to provide career exploration that will eventually lead students to Honolulu CC to obtain a certificate or degree in a specific career or technical program eventually providing an entry point into the workforce,” Short shares.

For more photos, go to the .

—By Billie Lueder

Fourteen (AEC) students from showcased their work to family, friends and industry members at the 10th annual AEC Portfolio Review on May 13, 2015.

Graduating students have completed courses in AutoCAD, architectural graphics, construction materials, residential planning, civil engineering drawing, working drawings, construction codes, 3ds Max Design, estimating, structural drawing, BIM software and preparation for AEC employment. They’ve also completed 100-level general education courses for the associates in science degree.

View photos on the .

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