The Kona Low storm in March left many residents on the North Shore of Oʻahu devastated, with catastrophic flooding in the Haleʻiwa and Waialua areas. Among the hardest-hit locations was Otake Farms, situated where the Kaukonahua River overflowed its banks, submerged homes and destroyed vital property. In the wake of this disaster, students from Honolulu Community College’s Diesel Mechanics (DISL) and Fire and Environmental Response (FIRE) programs stepped out of the classroom to provide a critical lifeline to the local community.

The ‘Cavalry’ arrives: Students restore vital equipment

For the seven family farmers at Otake Farms, restoring machinery was the top priority. The storm’s intensity had pushed muddy water above engine levels, severely damaging both mechanical and electronic systems.

Just weeks before graduation, Honolulu CC students applied their skills in a high-stakes “real-world exam,” repairing nine flooded tractors in a challenging field environment. Led by Associate Professor Bobby Salvatierra, the group mobilized twice in April to perform essential technical recovery steps:

• System inspections: Checking engines for structural integrity.
• Fluid remediation: Bleeding water from systems and replacing contaminated fuel and filters.
• Mechanical restoration: Cleaning intake systems and pulling injectors to resolve hydrostatic locked engines.
• Electrical recovery: Recharging batteries and testing damaged electrical systems.

“Today was an awesome day sharing our talent with people in need,” said Salvatierra.

The effort was a resounding success, resulting in the restoration of several major tractors.

“Before, I didn’t know what to do. The job was too big,” said Reun Ath Tab, a farmer. “But now I have my tractor. I feel good.”

First responders in training: The program’s community impact

While the students focused on machinery, students provided essential boots-on-the-ground support for residents near the Waialua River and Long Bridge area.

Transitioning from classroom theory to hands-on emergency response, the class received approval to assist families—including many first responders. Working alongside instructors, recruit training officers and the National Guard, the students tackled the grueling physical labor of recovery, including:

• Manual labor: Shoveling tons of mud from homes and properties.
• Resource support: Donating essential supplies, such as Meals, Ready-to-Eat (MRE) bars and boots, to residents in need.
• Problem solving: Overcoming field challenges, such as equipment failures, to ensure the work continued.

For students Ryoma Sears and Evan Moon, the experience was more than just training; it was an opportunity to integrate with the community they will soon serve as professional firefighters.

Restoring hope, honing skills

These recovery initiatives were made possible through the support of the Honolulu CC administration and generous contributions from industry partners. Bacon International and Allied Machinery provided thousands of dollars in parts and technical assistance to ensure the tractors could return to the fields.

Through these collaborative efforts, Honolulu CC students have not only honed their professional skills but have also helped to restore hope to the North Shore, proving they are ready to meet the challenges of their future careers and their community.

For most of his life, Troy Branco-Liu never imagined leaving Lahaina. However, after the 2023 Maui wildfire upended his community, and a University of Â鶹´«Ã½ scholarship opened a door he never expected, the Lahainaluna High School graduate found himself starting over at Â鶹´«Ã½ Community College—pursuing an education that would ultimately change the course of his future.

“When I was in high school, I didn’t think about leaving,” Branco-Liu said. “I love the place I come from. I’m all about Lahaina. That’s always going to be home to me.”

Now a 2026 graduate of Â鶹´«Ã½ CC’s Diesel Mechanics program, Branco-Liu says the scholarship helped him discover new opportunities while strengthening his desire to one day bring his skills back home to help his community rebuild.

Making college possible

Following the wildfire that devastated Lahaina, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ announced scholarships for every Lahainaluna High School senior in the Class of 2024 to attend any UH campus. The initiative was later expanded to cover two years at UH community colleges and four years at UH universities.

For Branco-Liu, the scholarship made college possible during a time of uncertainty for many Lahaina families displaced by the fire. As a first-generation college student, the opportunity helped him envision a future he had never seriously considered before.

“The scholarship was life-changing,” Branco-Liu said. “It gave me the chance to come here, get my education and do something better for my future.”

Originally, he planned to enter the workforce immediately after high school.

“At first I wanted to work right away because I wanted to make money,” he said. “But then I started thinking more about my future and decided college would help me get further.”

Building a better future

After researching programs through the UH system website, he chose Â鶹´«Ã½ CC’s , drawn to its hands-on learning environment and his longtime interest in mechanics.

Branco-Liu said one of the biggest influences during his time at Â鶹´«Ã½ CC was the encouragement he received from instructors and classmates within the close-knit diesel cohort, especially instructor Mitchell Soares.

“He really cared about us. He wanted you to succeed,” Branco-Liu said.

Now preparing to return home with a mechanic job already lined up and a baby boy on the way, Branco-Liu says graduating from Â鶹´«Ã½ CC represents something bigger than himself.

• Meet more amazing UH graduates

“I’m the first person in my family to graduate from college,” he said. “Â鶹´«Ã½ CC gave me the opportunity to prove to myself that I could do more and build a better future.”

—By Katie Young Yamanaka