{"id":230262,"date":"2026-03-02T15:33:06","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T01:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=230262"},"modified":"2026-03-02T15:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T01:37:23","slug":"kaana-manao-lanai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/03\/02\/kaana-manao-lanai\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaʻana Manaʻo: Big things are happening on Lānaʻi"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Group
Hannah Mae Lee, Kelly Raqueno and Kimora Agliam in the front row and Spencer Chew, Micah Kahihikolo, Myah Doolin and Jake Ropa in the back row pose for a group photo. Photo courtesy Anthony Kauaamo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This column by University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Maui College<\/a> Chancellor Lui Hokoana was published by The Maui News<\/a> on February 26, 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n

In December, we took you to our farm on Molokaʻi<\/span>. This month we take you to our Education Center on L\u0101naʻi<\/span> where big things are happening.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve had a robust dual enrollment program on L\u0101naʻi<\/span> for a while. High school students take UH<\/abbr> Maui College courses and get a jump start on a degree or on their chosen profession. P\u016blama L\u0101naʻi<\/span>, which was created in 2012 to manage, preserve and protect the island\u2019s land and natural resources, generously funds the students\u2019 UHMC<\/abbr> tuition. Recruiting more students and expanding the program will be the main focus of our new Satellite Manager. Long-time L\u0101naʻi<\/span> resident Natalie Ropa previously worked in student support services so she is a familiar face and a supportive presence.<\/p>\n

\"Natalie
Natalie Ropa is the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Maui College L\u0101naʻi<\/span> Education Center Satellite Manager. Photo courtesy Natalie Ropa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We have about 70 students in the program every year. That\u2019s from a total of about 200 high school students,” Ropa explains. “There are about 50 seniors in the Class of 2026 and 30 have come through the program.”<\/p>\n

Since the program began in 2016, 14 students have been awarded Associate of Arts degrees along with their high school diplomas. Seven of them achieved this success just last year. “These seven committed to the program from 9th<\/abbr> Grade and have inspired the grades below them to cohort together and commit to doing it, too,” says Ropa.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hear what some of those seven say about their experiences. For Myah Doolin, working toward an AA<\/abbr> degree while still in high school felt like a powerful head start. “I\u2019m already much closer to obtaining a baccalaureate degree,” she says. “The dual enrollment support helped me save money on tuition, adjust to college level work, and build relationships with UH<\/abbr> Maui College instructors who can support my future plans. Earning my AA<\/abbr> means I can transfer more smoothly to a four-year university or apply for better jobs in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> with a degree already completed. Overall, this pathway allows me to have a connection to the resources on L\u0101naʻi<\/span>, stay connected to my school and community, and still move forward with my education and career goals.”<\/p>\n

Others, like Hannah Mae Lee and Micah Kahihikolo, were drawn by the challenge. As soon as she found out she could achieve an AA<\/abbr> degree by the time she graduated from high school, Hannah Mae jumped in. “I knew I wanted to challenge myself and branch out into new experiences and opportunities,” she says. Micah echoes that feeling. “I never want to back down from a challenge,” he says. He\u2019s planning to attend Honolulu Community College to become an Automotive Technician.<\/p>\n

Spencer Chew wanted to get a feel for college. “I think that having my AA<\/abbr> degree has given me both the skills necessary and the courage to pursue further higher education,” he says.<\/p>\n

Kelly Raqueno knows exactly where she\u2019s going next. “Having my AA<\/abbr> allowed me to complete some of the prerequisites I\u2019ll need as I move into healthcare and work toward my bachelor\u2019s degree,” she says. “This achievement means a lot to me because it represents growth and persistence.”<\/p>\n

Kimora Agliam advises those considering the dual enrollment program to think hard about their choice. Participation requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. But if they choose dual enrollment, they will have gotten a head start on their futures.<\/p>\n

For Jake Ropa, the decision was not taken lightly. “I earned my AA<\/abbr> to help uplift the image of what L\u0101naʻi<\/span> truly is, challenging the stereotypes that reduce our island to pineapple fields or hotel work. I wanted to show the outside world, and especially the younger generation at home, that L\u0101naʻi<\/span> is more than how it is often perceived. More importantly, I wanted to become a role model, proving that it is possible to balance sports, high school responsibilities, and college-level coursework, and that students from L\u0101naʻi<\/span> are capable of achieving far beyond the limits others may place on us.”<\/p>\n

Natalie Ropa—yes, she is Jake\u2019s proud mom—has more big plans, too. “I really want to focus on adult education,” she says, “and see how we can take our dual enrollment model and tailor it to fit our adult community. Workforce training really interests me,” she says. And she\u2019s the perfect role model. She is currently working on her Master\u2019s Degree in Curriculum Studies from UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa.<\/p>\n

For complete information about UH<\/abbr> Maui College, please visit https:\/\/maui.hawaii.edu\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Maui College. Kaʻana<\/span> Manaʻo<\/span>, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH<\/abbr>-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Column by University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana was published by The Maui News<\/em> on February 26, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":230258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[1047,1325,60,947],"class_list":["post-230262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-early-college","tag-lanai-education-center","tag-maui-college","tag-uh-system","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t