New bachelor's degree in sustainable science management approved for Maui

Board of Regents also approves advanced professional certificate in culinary management at Kapiolani

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Kristen Bonilla, (808) 956-5039
External Affairs and University Relations
Kymber-Lee Char, (808) 956-9437
External Affairs and University Relations
Posted: Apr 27, 2011

PEARL CITY, Hawai‘i – At its monthly meeting held last week at Leeward Community College, the University of Hawai‘i Board of Regents (BOR) granted provisional status for a new bachelor of applied science in sustainable science management at University of Hawai‘i Maui College, making it the third baccalaureate degree program now offered by Maui College and one of the only degree programs within the university system with a special focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation.
 
The BOR also approved the establishment of an advanced professional certificate (APC) in culinary management at Kapi‘olani Community College. Both programs are scheduled for implementation in fall 2011.
 
The BAS in sustainable science management at Maui College will provide students with an educational path to careers in virtually any business or industry that seeks to identify, implement and design methods of becoming more sustainable economically, environmentally and socially. As an interdisciplinary program, the BAS integrates topics in energy, ecology, business and management, water and wastewater, agriculture, wastewater management, economics, policy, the built environment and social science. It will provide workforce training for the emerging green industry in Maui County, the state of Hawai‘i and throughout the nation.
 
“We are particularly excited about launching the first sustainability-focused degree in Hawai‘i to emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, conservation, generation and storage,” said UH Maui College Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto. “UH Maui College is also committed to addressing the green workforce opportunities related to water, wastewater management, waste, agriculture, transportation, and many other areas. We will generally seek to reduce our natural resource consumption and greenhouse gas production, improve our strategies and expand our efforts to sustain our islands as precious resources for our future generations.”
 
“A recent publication of the State of Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations identifies Maui as the county with the largest green workforce sector and largest potential in the state,” said Joie Taylor, sustainable science management program coordinator at UH Maui College. “Students have expressed excitement about the program opportunities. Community and national companies such as the Grand Wailea and Sandia National Laboratories have extended their support in partnerships, course development, and classroom participation."
 
The advanced professional certificate (APC) in culinary management at Kapi‘olani CC will provide students from across the UH System with an opportunity to gain advanced culinary and managerial skills beyond the current two-year programs, and can lead to a bachelor of applied science degree in culinary management from the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu.
 
A key objective in offering this certificate is to keep culinary talent in Hawai‘i. There are currently no programs in the state that teach advanced culinary skills, which has led those aspiring to more senior, higher-paying positions to leave Hawaiʻi to obtain the necessary skills and credentials. Graduates of the program will find employment in positions requiring advanced culinary skills such as executive chefs, chefs and sous chefs, as well as in management positions in food service, restaurant and hotel operations.