50th Anniversary

Help Us Reach our Goal of $1 Million

$ 0

raised for scholarships

Inspiring and transforming lives since 1972

For 50 years, Windward Community College has been educating future entrepreneurs, scientists, dreamers, artists, and builders. WCC is celebrating its golden anniversary with a goal of raising $1 million for scholarships—to help all students fulfill their dreams of a college education. The college is kicking off its 50th anniversary year with two events. We hope you will join us!

Honorary Awardees

Terry George

President & CEO at Harold K.L. Castle Foundation

This award recognizes the work of Terry George and the Harold KL Castle Foundation. Without which, WIndward would not be the place of learning it is today.

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Dr. Jacqueline Maly

Windward Community College Professor Emerita

Jacquie has provided endless opportunities for students and colleagues. On campus Jacquie is referred to as “WCC’s Angel”. We canʻt thank Jacquie enough.

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Ian Kitajima, alumnus

President of PICHTR

Ian has established a scholarship for Windward Community College students who transfer into Shidler College of Business, creating access to the baccalaureate and a pathway for our alum to follow in his footsteps.

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Lina Girl Langi

Windward CC Alumna

ina Girl defines aloha with her positivity, kindness, and intelligence. She can do anything - She plays music, sings, emcee’s, dances hula, and supports higher education at Windward Community College.

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WCC History

1989

February 1

Full accreditation received

Full accreditation of the college is received after the accreditation evaluation team visits the college in November 1988.

March 1

New aerospace resource lab at Pū’ōhala School

Physics Assistant Professor, Joseph Ciotti opens the aerospace resource lab at Pū’ōhala School to assist in training elementary teachers throughout the community.

May 1

WCC sets up a “sister school” with Kagawa Junior College in Japan

As part of its participation in international education, WCC sets up a “sister school” relationship with Kagawa Junior College in Japan, paving the way for teacher and student exchanges.

June 1

First Taro Festival held on the WCC campus

The first Taro Festival is held on the WCC campus, an event featuring taro’s cultural significance and diversity with recipes, food samples, poi pounding, taro related games and Hawaiian legends for children, food booths, crafts, and entertainment.

July 1

Computer-assisted instruction lab for English students

In fall semester, the college launches a computer-assisted instruction lab for students in designated sections of English composition courses. Writing assignments in these classes must be done on the Macintosh computers in the lab or in the library. Instructor Frank Mattos coordinates the program and the lab.

1990

January 1

Instructors Mark Hamasaki and Libby Young among “Ten Who Make a Difference”

WCC instructors Mark Hamasaki and Libby Young are named among “Ten Who Make a Difference” in Hawaiʻi in 1991 by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. They are cited for their efforts to help secure funding for the start of the college’s Master Plan.

February 1

Ka ʻOhana newspaper wins another award

For the third year, Ka ʻOhana, the college monthly newspaper, wins the American Scholastic Press Association national first place award. This year the award includes “with special merit” recognizing Ka ʻOhana as one of the two top papers in the country for community colleges of its size.

1992

January 1

New Dean of Student Services

Sandra Matsui becomes the Dean of Student Services. She comes to WCC from California State University at Bakersfield.

February 1

WCC gets first full-time Hawaiian Studies instructor

Kalani Meinecke joins WCC as the first full-time Hawaiian Studies instructor. He is charged with developing the Hawaiian Studies Program.

September 17

WCC celebrates 20 years

A series of events to celebrate WCC’s “20 Years and Growing” is inaugurated by the big birthday party on September 17. It features a giant birthday cake which was made from many individual cakes contributed by students and faculty, assembled, iced, and decorated to be enjoyed by visitors to the…Read More

October 1

Marine Option Program students conduct survey

Marine Option Program students participate in conducting the first baseline marine survey of Kāneʻohe Bay to determine the recreation and commercial fishing populations in the bay.

1994

January 1

New parking lot opens

A new parking lot across from Waipā building opens January 23, providing much needed additional parking for students and staff.

2022

September 16

Joseph Ciotti is named the top aerospace educator

WCC Assistant Professor, Joseph Ciotti is named the top aerospace educator in the nation and winner of the 1993 Christa McAuliffe Award from the Aerospace Education Foundation.