{"id":197386,"date":"2024-05-10T19:56:14","date_gmt":"2024-05-11T05:56:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=197386"},"modified":"2024-05-29T11:13:28","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T21:13:28","slug":"uh-graduation-returns-to-molokai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/05\/10\/uh-graduation-returns-to-molokai\/","title":{"rendered":"<abbr>UH<\/abbr> graduation returns to Moloka\u02bbi"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 2<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><div class=\"responsive-video-wrap-post\"><figure class=\"wp-block-embed wp-block-embed-youtube is-type-video is-provider-youtube epyt-figure\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><div class=\"epyt-video-wrapper\"><iframe  id=\"_ytid_86010\"  width=\"620\" height=\"349\"  data-origwidth=\"620\" data-origheight=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hf4uKpPSrUA?enablejsapi=1&origin=https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu&rel=0&autoplay=0&cc_load_policy=0&cc_lang_pref=&iv_load_policy=1&loop=0&fs=1&playsinline=0&autohide=2&theme=dark&color=red&controls=1&disablekb=0&\" class=\"__youtube_prefs__  no-lazyload\" title=\"Â鶹´«Ã½graduation returns to Moloka\u02bbi\"  allow=\"fullscreen; accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen data-no-lazy=\"1\" data-skipgform_ajax_framebjll=\"\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>For the first time since 2016, the University of <span aria-label=\"Hawaii\">Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> hosted a graduation ceremony to honor the graduates from the Friendly Isle.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-5-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Grad flashing shaka\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-197391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-5-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-5.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>This cherished tradition, usually observed every four years, had been delayed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The graduates are <abbr title=\"University of Hawaii\">UH<\/abbr> Maui College students who attend classes at the <abbr>UH<\/abbr> <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> Education Center and\/or online.<\/p>\n<p>Between 2021 and 2024, the center awarded 47 associate degrees and 52 certificates. Forty-two of the graduates participated in the 2024 commencement ceremony on May 10, which honors <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> residents who earned degrees at the Center or online at a <abbr>UH<\/abbr> campus.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"blocklink\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/tag\/commencement\/\">Check out more stories of our <abbr>UH<\/abbr> spring graduates<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Never stop learning<\/h2>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Group of gradutes\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-197388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-2-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-2.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right;clear:right;margin:0 0 0 15px;\"><figure id=\"attachment_197397\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-197397\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-6-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Two smiling grads\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-197397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-6-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-6-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-6.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-197397\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pualei Lima and Lohiao Paoa, one of two couples who earned their degrees<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<p>After a 23-year journey, 41-year-old Harriet <span aria-label=\"Uilani\">U&#699;ilani<\/span> Mokiao proudly earned her associate degree in liberal arts. Cheers and applause roared for Mokiao as she delivered one of the student addresses, emphasizing the significance of her path to achievement.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We really need to live in the present having learned from the past. There\u2019s an <span aria-label=\"olelo\">&#699;&#333;lelo<\/span> <span aria-label=\"noeau\">no&#699;eau<\/span> that reads ma ka hana ka <span aria-label=\"ike,\">&#699;ike,<\/span> ma ka <span aria-label=\"ike\">&#699;ike<\/span> ka mana. Through work, through doing, comes knowledge and through knowledge comes power,&rdquo; Mokiao said.<\/p>\n<p>More than 50% of the graduates are Native Hawaiian and received degrees and certificates ranging from associate degrees in dental hygiene and early education to certificates in Hawaiian studies and construction technology.<\/p>\n<p>The number of nurse aide graduates nearly doubled since the island\u2019s last commencement with 23 students earning their certification, which will help to address a critical need on <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>Sonni Han, 17, is one of the graduates who earned nurse aide certification while attending <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> High School.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_197389\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-197389\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-3-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Two smiling grads\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-197389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-3-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-3.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-197389\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cousins Sonni Han and Meleana Pa-Kala<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;A lot of kids think that they can\u2019t do it because they come from <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> and they don\u2019t have a lot of opportunities but this year I found that a lot of people want to help you, especially here at the college,&rdquo; Han said. &ldquo;If you just reach out to them they\u02bbll get you places where you didn\u2019t think you could go.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<h2>Historic milestone on <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>P\u016blama Lima is the first ever doctoral graduate on <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> to be hooded at the ceremony. Lima earned a <abbr>PhD<\/abbr> in anthropology from <abbr>UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_197390\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-197390\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-4-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"Doctorate student\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-197390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-4-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-4-130x73.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-4.jpg 676w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-197390\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">P\u016blama Lima, first ever <span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> native to be honored for earning a doctorate degree<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&ldquo;<span aria-label=\"Molokai\">Moloka&#699;i<\/span> is our biggest teacher and the best way to show appreciation for that is to come home and devote yourself to community work,&rdquo; Lima said.<\/p>\n<p>As part of <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Maui College, the center offers a wide range of credit and non-credit courses and certificate and associate degree programs. Like other <abbr>UH<\/abbr> outreach sites, it provides selected courses from other <abbr>UH<\/abbr> community colleges and receives selected bachelors and masters degree programs from <abbr>UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa, <abbr>UH<\/abbr> Hilo and <abbr>UH<\/abbr> West <span aria-label=\"Oahu\">O&#699;ahu<\/span> via <abbr>UH\u2013ITV<\/abbr>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-1.jpg\" alt=\"Grad flashing shaka\" width=\"676\" height=\"381\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-197387\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-1.jpg 676w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/molokai-grad-2024-1-130x73.jpg 130w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This cherished tradition, usually observed every four years, had been delayed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,12],"tags":[234,1224,300,60,56],"class_list":["post-197386","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","category-video","tag-commencement","tag-distance-education","tag-molokai-education-center","tag-maui-college","tag-video-2","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197386","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197386"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197386\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":198520,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197386\/revisions\/198520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}