Aloha KCC ʻOhana,

Thank you for attending KCC’s 2017 Neʻepapa Kalāhū event.  Without all of you this event would have not been as special and as successful as it was. What a wonderful night! The cafeteria was filled with laughter, and touching and honorable moments. There are so many people to thank that made this event so memorable.

This year’s event carried the theme of Mālama which means protecting and perpetuating ancestral knowledge. On every table was a kukui tree symbolizing light of knowledge and a kukui nut with the ʻōlelo noʻeau, “Ka malu hālau loa o ke kukui” (The long shelter of the kukui). A heartfelt thank you to Kapu Landgraf, who came up with the theme, arranged the tables, and thoughtfully selected each meaningful item.

Thank you Alison Ohata and Jeri Poti for collecting the monies, writing the receipts, and keeping track of the 100+ people that purchased tickets and shirts.

Thank you Kelli Brandvold and Krystal Patterson for changing the venue for the  training so that we could set up in time for this event and for working with the Auxiliary Services crew.

Thank you Keisha Nakamura, Keauhou Mitchell-Aldan and Ākea Kahikina for organizing the set up of the tables and for setting them up.

Keisha Nakamura and Rosalie Fernandez honored the memory of Kahilina`i McCarthy and all that she did for students, our College, communities, and Hawai`i with a hula “Ke Aloha.”

Keolani Noa, thank you to you and your ʻohana for providing us with such delicious Hawaiian food! It was amazing once again! Thank you to the Ka Pōhaku Kihi Paʻa and STEM peer mentors for manning the serving line, giving us BIG portions, and letting us go for 2nds and 3rds. Yes!

Thank you Kīhei Nahale-a & Kaipo Kukahiko for the music during dinner!

Thank you Sally Pestana and the Aloha Club for providing the drinks. Thank you Chancellor Pagotto and VCAS Brian Furuto for allowing us to have the “other kinds” of drinks.

Thank you Ron Takahashi for allowing us to use the Grille.

Thank you Kelli Goya and Lisa Kanae for collecting the tickets, welcoming everyone to the event and handling the purchases of the Silent Auction.

Thank you first and foremost to Linh Hoang & Mary Inouye for helping us to make the Silent Auction possible. We definitely could have not done it with your guidance and support. Thank you, Kawehi Sellers, Rosalie Fernandez, Dave Evans, Amy Shiroma, & Sheryl Fuchino for organizing such a successful Silent Auction. Mahalo to the ʻAha Kalāualani members that donated items to the silent auction: Jody Akeo, Colette Andrade-Fujii, LeeAnn Demello, Kauka de Silva, Keomailani Eaton, Kelli Goya, Rosalie Fernandez, Lisa Kanae, Dyan Kaneshiro, Keith and Alissa Kashiwada, Noʻeau Keopuhiwa, Keisha Nakamura, Michaelyn Nakoa and Annie Keola Thomas. Thank you to all the bidders and the winners! Everyone had so much fun! We raised close to $3,000 to support Kalāualani events.

This event couldn’t have been possible without the incredible CELTT & Auxiliary Services crew.  Thank you!

Thank you Karl Naito, Reid Sato, & Lance Akana, & all of the Auxiliary Services individuals who helped set up and clean up!

It was an honor to recognize Maria Bautista, Mike Dang, & Frank Noji who received the 30+ years recognition award. Thank you for your commitment and service to the College!

This was the first year that the campus community had the opportunity to provide recommendations to our Administrators to choose outstanding, very deserving individuals for each of the Neʻepapa Kalāhū awards. Congratulations to all of the award recipients (please see list below)! Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to our College throughout the years!

Thank you to everyone who came out to help us set up and those who stayed after to help us clean up. We truly appreciate it! Nāwa’a Napoleon, Kapu Landgraf, and Keolani Noa thank you for all that you do and continue to do to bring all of us together! It was an honor to collaborate with you to put on our College’s 3rd Annual Neʻepapa Kalāhū event! What a success! Thank you to all the members of the Kalāualani Council, who are the ones who made this event possible!

Thank you Chancellor Pagotto for all your unwavering and continued support! Thank you for donating the two parking stalls! Last but certainly not least, thank you KCC ʻOhana! Thank you for all that you do for our College and our students! Have a wonderful semester! *** Don’t forget to wear your blue Neʻepapa Kalāhū shirts on Wednesdays, starting on 9/6. If you would like to purchase a shirt, please email Kapu Landgraf at kapulani@hawaii.edu.

Mahalo, The Neʻepapa Kalāhū Planning Committee