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Kuilei Courageous Conversations

Kapi‘olani Community College is an extremely special place because we are named after Queen Julia Na-pela-kapu-o-Kakaʻe Kapi‘olani. The Queenʻs motto is Kūlia i ka Nu’u, Strive for your Highest, which can be felt through the words in our podcast. Kuilei Courageous Conversations hosted by Kapi‘olani Community College’s Kuilei Outreach Program is a series of talks and interviews around students success through the lens of our students, staff, and faculty. We will cover topics around our outstanding community of students and employees, the application process, how to finance college, and other exciting highlights that make Kapi‘olani Community College the place to Kūlia i ka nuʻu, strive for your highest. We truly appreciate the opportunity to share what we have to offer. Check us out at www.kapiolani.hawaii.edu. Mahalo.

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Kuilei Courageous Conversations

Where Are They Now? If You Are Not Learning, You Are Not Growing (Liberal Arts, Military)

August 05, 2025 • Season 11 • Episode 9

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This was the best way to close out this season! In this episode we would like to introduce Kapi'olani CC graduate, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Ken Takemura, recruiter for the Hawai'i Army National Guard. His journey may not fall under the "typical" pathway but it is more common than you think. As one of three with a single mom, he had to figure out how to make it work with the resources provided. He made some huge sacrifices at a young age that includes working full-time, fulling his duties with the Hawai'i Army National Guard, and taking courses at Kapi'olani CC that helped create the best version of himself. He adds how "everyone has their own clock" and how learning is a lifelong process no matter where you go.

Please enjoy our season closer and share widely!