The University of Hawaii Community Colleges have announced their selections for the Community Partner of the Year awards to individuals, organizations and businesses that have provided valuable insight, resources and expertise to the colleges. UHCC picks Community
Partner of the Year awardsStar-Bulletin staff
The Employment Training Center selected the Workforce Development Division of the state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations for 30 years of collaboration to provide quality education and training under various federal initiatives.
Hawaii Community College chose Head Start Hawaii Island for its Early Childhood Education Program, which sends parents and staff members to take classes at the college, accepts students into its program and provides child care on campus.
Honolulu Community College selected GENIC Corp., a subsidiary of Shiseido Inc. of Japan, for providing short-term training for groups of Japanese salon owners, managers, curriculum developers and stylists. In June their partnership will be expanded with Honolulu providing training for graduating students of beauty schools in Japan.
Kauai Community College picked the Contractors Association of Kauai, with which it has created four facilities maintenance training sessions for Workforce Investment Act participants.
Leeward Community College chose Kaala Farm Inc., which provides cultural workshops as outreach and helps recruit native Hawaiians into higher education.
Maui Community College selected Fairmont Kea Lani Maui and VIP Foodservice Inc. Fairmont Kea Lani is a longtime supporter of MCC's culinary arts program, and VIP Foodservice has been a major contributor of financial resources to the MCC Culinary Arts Foundation for 15 years.
Windward Community College picked the Windward Orchid Society, which has donated equipment and funds for the past 19 years to help support tissue culture and other botany activities.
The community partners are honored during graduation ceremonies, campus receptions or other celebrations.