Kauaʻi Community College unveiled its new language arts and humanities multi-purpose room which will be used for musical theatre, acting, band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, creative media and dance.
“I would like to have this facility be a vehicle for taking music, drama, theatre and dance to the next level at Kauaʻi CC,” said Music Professor Gregory Shepherd, who serves as the room’s coordinator and was instrumental in designing the versatile arts venue.
In addition to the multi-purpose room, three offices and a new security office were renovated through the $2.9 million project.
“This project will definitely serve to support our students,” said Helen Cox, chancellor for Kauaʻi CC. “Our security office will now be centrally located, and our arts and music courses will enjoy the space for decades to come. In addition, the space is large and flexible enough to meet the needs of many campus functions.”
New facility blessed
Students, faculty, staff and guests gathered at the blessing of the new multi-purpose room in late October.
Hawaiian Studies Instructor Pua Rossi’s hula and chant performance students opened the occasion with ʻoli and hula. Maile lei draped the entrance as Rev. Wayne Vidinha Sr. of Ke Akua Mana Church conducted the blessing, and students from Shepherd’s beginning and intermediate voice classes filled the air with song.
Brandon Shimokawa, Kauaʻi CC vice chancellor for administrative services, credited the UH Community Colleges system office with immense support. He said Michael Unebasami and Denise Yoshimori-Yamamoto were instrumental in securing the funding; Cara Kimura served as project manager and Patrick Watase was the onsite coordinator and provided construction management for the project.
Lloyd Higa, of YFH Architects Inc. on Oʻahu was the architect of the project, and Nathan Konishi of Pacific Blue Construction LLC on Kauaʻi served as general contractor.
“This is a project that has been in the works for a long time,” said Shimokawa. “I am very grateful to everyone who made this a reality for the college.”
—By Camilla Matsumoto
