Students from three North �鶹��ý high schools are enrolled in a yearlong medical assisting class that prepares them to sit for a national licensure exam. They started with a lab class in October at the University of �鶹��ý’s (NHERC) in Honokaʻa, where they learned how to take a patient’s temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, height and weight, along with aseptic hand washing and the use of personal protective equipment.

Woody Adrian, a senior at Laupāhoehoe Public Charter School, has known for a while that he wants to pursue a career in healthcare. “Some people in my family have medical issues and I want to help them get better,” he said. “Overall I want to help people get better and succeed in life.”

The 17 students are from Kohala, Honokaʻa and Laupāhoehoe high schools. The ability to prepare for a licensure exam and a professional career through a high school class offered during regular school hours is one thing that makes the program unique.

“It’s like early college, but it’s early career,” said Kei-Lin Cerf, the director of NHERC, which is hosting the class.

To attract enough students for a full class, the course is being offered via distance learning using Zoom technology so students from three schools can enroll. The students in the three locations watch lectures on interactive television via Zoom, and assignments are submitted online. Students convene four times for hands-on skills labs at NHERC.

If students in the class choose to continue in healthcare, the careers are there. Medical assistant is the seventh most in-demand occupation in �鶹��ý, according to Economic Modeling Specialists International. Registered nurse ranks second and nursing assistant is fourth.

Annette Carr, one of the instructors from Island CPR leading the course, points out that students could go right into medical assisting or continue their education to prepare for other healthcare positions—or do both.

“This allows for entry-level health career opportunities,” Carr said. “They might see they like it and pursue more education. That’s how I started.”

The (NHERC) in Honokaʻa will be transferred from the to . Officials from both campuses made the announcement in April, and both campuses are working together closely on preparations to transfer management on July 1, 2019.

A major impetus for the transition are plans for a closer partnership with �鶹��ý CC at NHERC.

“�鶹��ý CC is creating a multi-purpose lab space and new opportunities for different types of classes at NHERC through a major renovation,” said �鶹��ý CC Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas. “The additional 5,000 square feet of space will increase the capacity to serve the North �鶹��ý community beginning in the summer of 2020. �鶹��ý CC’s expertise in delivering programs in both career and technical education and in the pre-professional areas will create more academic options for North �鶹��ý residents.”

UH Hilo and �鶹��ý CC are working on the transition of staff and management positions that are currently with NHERC.

“We plan to engage with NHERC staff, the community, local high schools, advisory councils and employers to gain an understanding of the educational needs and workforce development opportunities for the community,” Solemsaas explained. “We hope to accomplish this during the first year.”

During the staff transition, �鶹��ý CC intends to maintain operations as they have been at NHERC. The center’s facilities, including the Heritage Center, will remain a community gathering place.

The creation of NHERC in 2006 was a collaboration of community, elected officials and UH Hilo to build a new model for meeting the educational and cultural needs of the northern side of �鶹��ý Island.

“Through NHERC, UH Hilo has actively pursued that mission for the past 12 years with the Heritage Center showcasing the unique history of the area and community, delivering on-site classes and Early College classes at local high schools and providing a gathering place for the community to pursue activities, exchange information and celebrate events,” noted UH Hilo Interim Chancellor Marcia Sakai. “We believe educational offerings and opportunities in North �鶹��ý will be further expanded and enhanced under the management of �鶹��ý CC.”

—By Alyson Kakugawa-Leong

Kei-Lin K.H. Cerf has been appointed director of the University of �鶹��ý at Hilo in Honokaʻa, effective March 12, 2018.

Cerf, a long-time resident of South Kohala and current Honokaʻa resident, has a broad background in private industry, non-profits and education on �鶹��ý Island.

Since January 2015, she has served as director of strategic community development for West �鶹��ý in the Office of the Chancellor, and director of ��ō��ū�貹ʻ��, a multi-institution partnership of leading educational and state government groups responsible for improving outcomes for children and youth in North and West �鶹��ý. In her dual capacity, she has built and maintained education partnerships, organized education research, launched student social-emotional wellness and career readiness/early college pathway initiatives, and was responsible for external grant funding of $50,000–$100,000 per year.

As executive director of Hualālai ʻOhana Foundation from 2007 to 2014, Cerf led a small, dedicated team that delivered education and medical support programs to employee families at Four Seasons Hualālai and Hualālai Resort. During that period she created a non-profit/community/public school partnership with Kealakehe High School involving volunteer mentors, teachers, youth leaders and students. She also established the Kona Village Emergency Relief Fund, a nonprofit/community partnership that provided more than $350,000 in aid to over 300 displaced workers.

“Kei-Lin has a wealth of knowledge on educational pathways and creating partnerships between communities and the educational institutions that serve them,” said , UH Hilo interim vice chancellor of academic affairs. “I have no doubt she will be successful in developing these pathways for people in the community so higher education opportunities and training are more accessible.”

Cerf earned her doctorate of business administration in leadership from Walden University, MBA in nonprofit management from Marylhurst University and a BS in marketing management from Western Governors University.

—By Alyson Kakugawa-Leong

UH campuses and facilities on �鶹��ý Island were thankfully spared the brunt of Tropical Cyclone Iselle, but many of their friends and neighbors—especially in the Puna area—are still dealing with the aftermath, including structural damage to homes, lack of power and water and impeded road access.

Residents around Honokaʻa who want to donate to the Iselle relief effort can bring items to the (NHERC), about 40 miles north of Hilo.

Suggestions for donations:

• Toiletries
• Drinking water
• Toilet paper
• Towels
• Blankets
• Tarps
• Batteries
• Non-perishable food

“What’s really great about this effort is that it’s community-driven,” said Stacie Higgens, an academic support specialist at NHERC. “It’s volunteers rallying for our sister communities on the Big Island.”

Collection location and hours

North �鶹��ý Education and Research Center
45-539 Plumeria Street
Honokaʻa, HI 96727

Hours for drop-off are 7:45 am to 4:30 pm.

Email, or call NHERC at (808)775-8890 for more information.

NHERC is not able to accept donations of ice, but the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ in Hilo is accepting both ice and water. Please for more information.

More ways to help

People living outside of the area may want to consider monetary donations to an established relief organization instead.

Cash donations are the best way to immediately help recovery efforts on the Big Island and other areas impacted by Iselle, according to a State of �鶹��ý (PDF).

The Emergency Management Agency suggests cash donations be directed to the and the .

People looking to volunteer are encouraged to directly contact local relief agencies to identify needs of individuals and communities impacted by Iselle.

—By Jeela Ongley