The main entry road to Hawaiʻi Community College–Pālamanui in North Kona, Hawaiʻi is now “Rockne Freitas Way,” named in honor of the late Hawaiʻi CC chancellor who played a major role in developing the campus.
The University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents (BOR) approved the honorific naming at the August 17 board meeting. Freitas’ sons, Makai and Makoa, both testified in support of the measure.
“Dad believed in education,” said Makai Freitas at the meeting. “He believed education was a path forward, so the (symbolism) of Rockne Freitas Way resonates a lot for us.”
Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui opened its doors in 2015 after years of planning and construction. The new campus is also home to the University Center, West Hawaiʻi and created a permanent home for higher education in West Hawaiʻi, which had been one of the most underserved regions of the state.
Freitas, who died in 2022, served in many leadership roles at UH, including as Hawaiʻi CC chancellor from 2004 to 2010. He was a driving force in securing funding and establishing the partnerships that would allow the Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui campus to be built.
“While at Hawaiʻi Community College, he had a vision on ways to help the youth of West Hawaiʻi and inspired the community to make the campus at Pālamanui a reality,” said Interim Hawaiʻi CC Chancellor Susan Kazama in her testimony to the BOR. “His legacy is his strong advocacy and advancement of Native Hawaiians and other underserved populations. His impact on our college will always be felt. Naming the entryway after Rockne Freitas is an appropriate honor to preserve his legacy.”
Following his All-Pro career as an NFL lineman, Freitas served in several administrative roles during a 23-year career at the University of Hawaiʻi. He was a pioneer in Native Hawaiian advancement, including as a leader in establishing Hawaiʻi Papa O Ke Ao, a plan for UH to become the model Indigenous-serving higher education institution in the state and the nation.
Raynette “Kalei” Haleamau-Kam, the director of Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui, has worked at the college for more than 30 years and has seen up close the transformation brought about through Freitas’ efforts.
“I would like to mahalo Rockne for his leadership and tenacity to not give up on our community,” said Haleamau-Kam. “Now it is up to us to continue his vision and preserve his legacy.”
Hawaiʻi CC plans to host an event later in the semester to celebrate the honorific naming.
Hawaiʻi CC–Pālamanui offers affordable, accessible higher education pathways for West Hawaiʻi residents with associate degrees and certificates in nursing, culinary arts, natural science, liberal arts, Hawaiian studies and more. The degrees prepare students to enter the workforce right after graduation or transfer to a bachelor’s degree program to continue their studies.
The University Center, West Hawaiʻi provides access and support for local students who want to enroll in online and hybrid bachelor’s and graduate degree programs from UH four-year campuses.
