Kīpuka Center
Kauaʻi Community College
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #2060
"Maikaʻi Kauaʻi, hemolele i ka mālie."
Beautiful Kauaʻi, peaceful in the calm. Line from a chant.
Mission Statement
The Kīpuka Center at Kauaʻi Community College aims to meet the educational and cultural needs of Native Hawaiians, as described in the Hawaiʻi Papa o ke Ao report. The center’s major goal is to provide a dedicated area that recognizes and upholds Native Hawaiian culture, beliefs, and traditions while promoting a strong feeling of community on campus. The Kīpuka Center is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive learning environment that fosters the growth of community leaders via cultural activities, networking opportunities, and personal and professional development. The center strengthens Kauaʻi Community College's commitment to cultural sustainability and academic success by improving the educational experience for students, staff, and faculty through embracing traditional Hawaiian values and knowledge. The center aims to be the vital space where Native Hawaiians can cultivate a sense of place on campus.
Goal
- The piko of Native Hawaiian initiatives on Kauaʻi Community College
- Create opportunities for cultural enrichments for students, ʻohana, staff, and faculty.
- Strengthen Community Engagement through workshops, networking, presentations, and visits.
- Identify, plan, and address Native Hawaiian barriers to achieving success
Services
- Wahi Launa - A center dedicated to Native Hawaiian culture and values for haumāna(students) to study, learn, network, relax, and collaborate.
- Culture Enrichment Program - Workshops to nurture Kauaʻi Community College ʻohana personally or professionally through Native Hawaiian knowledge and framework.
House Rules
- Please remove Kāmaʻa(shoes) before entering.
- Respect others.
- If you need help with something, feel free to ask a designated staff for support.
- You are welcome to use the resources and tools of the Kīpuka Center, please handle them with care. Do not remove them from center.
- Physical abuse, drugs, and slandered is not tolerated.
- Leave the space better than when you got there.
- Do not touch other people's things without asking.
- Arrive to appointments on Hawaiian time which is earlier than the designated time.
Kīpuka Data
Last Updated 7/31/2025
Kīpuka Resources
Nā mea kōkua
Here are resources affiliated with nā mea Hawaiʻi here at Kauaʻi Community College
“ ʻaʻohe hana nui ke ʻalu ʻia” — ʻŌlelo Noʻeau
Wahi (Places) - How to find the wahi videos:
- Kīpuka Center
- Hawaiian Studies: Click Here
Presentation Slides:
- Orientation: Click here
- Mele: Click here
- Hawaiian Vocabulary List: Click here
- E Heluhelu me Kainoa: Click here
- Hawaiian Music Catalog: Click Here
Other Resources on Campus:
- Indigenous Data Hub
- Hawaiian Studies: Click Here
- Hale Mālama: Click Here
Kīpuka Tutorial Videos
Past Workshops & Presentations
ʻŌlelo Hōʻike
Our Team
Tommy Kelipi
Peer Mentor
Kekipi is excited to work with and help fellow KauCC students. He believes by helping others he will also learn as well. Kekipi loves to lāwaiʻa (fish) and go to the beach. Kekipi wishes everyone a great semester!
“Do your best and always ask questions when needed and as often.” — Tommy Kelipi
Contact:
Email Address: tkekipi@hawaii.edu
Kainoa Keanaaina
Kīpuka Coordinator
Keanaaina is excited to be with Kauaʻi Community College and pulls knowledge from his wisdom in cultural and technological spaces. His aloha for community makes him easy to approach and collaborate with.
“Being at Kīpuka is peaceful. It is great to be around like minded people who want to help one another succeed.” — Kainoa Keanaaina
Contact:
Email Address: kainoa3@hawaii.edu