Recent graduates of the University of Hawaiʻi Hilo School of Nursing Waiʻanae Cohort, Leilani Auld, Piʻilani Young and Kainoa Louis-Soares, credit their success to the strong foundation set by Kapiʻolani Community College’s Kapoʻoloku Program, which supports Native Hawaiian students.
The program fosters personal growth and development within the social, community and cultural contexts of Hawaiʻi’s history. Since 2015, the Kapoʻoloku Program has served more than 5,000 Native Hawaiian students through various services, including outreach, cultural activities, counseling and peer mentoring.
Financial and emotional support
The three students first connected through the Kapoʻoloku Program, laying the groundwork for their subsequent journey toward community-focused healthcare. Auld, who started college as a mother of three, said the financial and emotional support was critical to her success.
“Without that program, I wouldn’t have been able to navigate my journey,” said Auld. “It allowed me to connect with peers who shared my vision and passion. In Hawaiʻi, it’s vital to nurture our own, who understand our culture and values. Kapoʻoloku not only provided me with resources but also with a network of support that became instrumental in my academic pursuits and personal life.”
The Kapoʻoloku Program gave us a platform that we all could stand on together and get through together.
—Leilani Auld
For Louis-Soares, Kapoʻoloku offered a transformative experience from his first day at Kapiʻolani CC easing a transition from construction work.
“It gave me a sense of belonging, purpose and the confidence I needed,” he said. “Without it, I might have returned to construction.”
Young returned to college after earning a degree in communications and connected with Auld and Louis-Soares while they were preparing for a Test for the Essential Academic Skills.
“Discovering the UH Hilo Waiʻanae Cohort program felt like finding a golden opportunity,” said Young. “To have peers and people you know, going through the same program was just awesome.”
“Any nursing student knows how tough it is to get into nursing school,” added Auld, who was expecting her fourth child right before entering nursing school. “Throughout it all, Piʻi and Kainoa were my home because we had a connection. There were times when each of us wanted to quit, but we agreed that when one quits, we all quit. The Kapoʻoloku Program gave us a platform that we all could stand on together and get through together.”
UH Hilo’s School of Nursing
The transition from Kapiʻolani CC to the UH Hilo’s School of Nursing Waiʻanae Cohort marked a pivotal moment for the trio. Accepted into a nursing program known for its dedication to community-focused healthcare and transcultural competence, they continued into a program that mirrored the values instilled by Kapoʻoloku.
“Our students and graduates serve as pillars in our communities, upholding our commitment to growing our own healers, and giving back to their ʻohana and local communities,” said Bobbie Elisala, UH Hilo Nursing, Waiʻanae Cohort Program coordinator.
From clinical rotations at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Wahiawa General Hospital, to Tripler Hospital, the Waiʻanae cohort embraces a hands-on approach to healthcare that prioritizes underserved populations.
“Our journey through the nursing program was more than just acquiring skills; it was about practicing them in our communities,” Auld explained. “We got to form relationships with patients we regularly saw from places we repeatedly served. This helped to build rapport and trust within our community.”
After graduation, they are preparing for the next chapter—taking their licensing exams and entering the nursing profession. Auld, Louis-Soares and Young carry the lessons and values emphasized by both the Kapoʻoloku Program and the UH Hilo School of Nursing Waiʻanae Cohort.
“I want to give back by mentoring future students,” Auld said. “Just as we were supported, I want to be there for others who are walking the same path.”
—By Lisa Yamamoto
