Leeward Community College’s professional development program, Kawaimanomano (The Many Waters) won “Best in Showcase” at the Annual Community College Futures Assembly held in San Antonio, Texas in February. Leeward CC was invited to the competition as a 2024 Bellwether Award finalist, along with 29 other community colleges representing 18 states.
“It was very emotional because we got a standing ovation and cheers. Several colleges came up to us after, saying that they want to replicate our program…and a couple even got choked up,” said Erin Kanoelani Thompson, coordinator for Leeward’s Innovation Center for Teaching & Learning. “Kawaimanomano is and has always been a program of and for the people of Leeward. This award represents the hard work and dedication of the kumu (teachers) who helped to develop it, the employees who have engaged in it, and the students who have inspired it.”
Successful collaboration
In 2020, Kawaimanomano began as a collaborative endeavor between 10 Leeward CC kumu who wanted to share cultural and ‘āina (land)-based education with all Leeward CC employees while creating a welcoming place where Native Hawaiian students feel they belong.
In the four years since its initial implementation, the program has graduated 82 employees through four cohorts and has had a positive impact on the personal and professional lives of its participants by influencing their work practices and instructional approaches. This has led to an increased awareness about the importance of infusing Native Hawaiian values on campus, resulting in many projects that uphold Leeward’s mission to “mālama (care for) all students and affirm our special commitment to Native Hawaiians.”
Presented by the Bellwether College Consortium, the Bellwether Awards recognize outstanding and innovative programs that address critical issues facing community colleges.
Leeward CC’s team included Thompson, Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza, Dean of Career and Technical Education Ron Umehira, Native Hawaiian Counselor aria-label=”Piikea”>Piʻikea Hardy-Kahaleoumi and Hawaiian Studies Professor and Kīpuka Coordinator Momi Kamahele.
