Fellows mentioned in this story: Rachel Solemsaas

From University of Hawai‘i News:

Hawaiʻi Community College has announced the opening of the Kahuaola Basic Needs Center at the Manono campus in Hilo. Kahuaola, as its name references, is a student resource center that aims to build a foundation to support the basic needs of Hawaiʻi CC students. Kahua is the foundation upon which ola—life, health and well-being—blossoms.

“Hawaiʻi Community College and other higher education institutions are seeing more students struggling to meet basic needs like food and housing, which makes it difficult for them to succeed in college,” said Craig Mitchell, the coordinator of the Kahuaola Basic Needs Center. “If we can connect students with our on-campus food and resource pantry, as well as to other support programs available in the community, we can increase the chances students will persist and graduate.”

Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Rachel Solemsaas said the establishment of Kahuaola is a recognition of how important it is for the college to work in partnership with community organizations.

“In addition to offering services like a food pantry, Kahuaola is also a resource center and a connection to the community,” Solemsaas said. “Because at the end of the day, as an educational institution, we know we can’t do it alone. Hawaiʻi Community College is proud to be part of the larger opportunity network that supports students so they can succeed in college, thrive in the workforce, and support themselves and their families.”

Continue reading at hawaii.edu and bigislandnow.com.