College Connections Hawaii helps put the pieces of your child’s education together so they can reach their goals and achieve their dreams.

College Connections Hawaii is an educational nonprofit created to improve educational and career opportunities for the people of Hawaii.  We are more than one hundred educators, counselors, and community members who work with students across the state.  Our programs have been built on the idea that successful educational programs help students help themselves to achieve their goals.  We know how much education impacts an individual’s life, and our communities benefit from more knowledgeable and capable citizens.   

Founded by two local residents in 1999, College Connections Hawaii has grown into a statewide provider of tutoring, test preparation, and college advising services.  Each year we work with over one thousand students in grades kindergarten through college.  We offer both fee-based retail services and free services funded through partnerships, grants and contracts that ensure low income and first generation college students have access to support.

College Connections Hawaii has offered quality, affordable, services that are built on the personal relationship between students and educators.  We remain committed to open our doors to all Hawaii students, yet we cannot ignore the need for greater equality in educational access.  Too many students miss out on educational opportunities because of lack of knowledge, family financial constraints, and other barriers and circumstances, and we are committed to bringing equal opportunity for all Hawaii students.

 

The College Connections Philosophy

The mission of College Connections Hawaii is to help Hawaii’s students gain access to college and achieve their potential.

But some have less educational opportunity than others because of no access to supplemental services, less financial means, lower expectations, fewer role models, no peer support, misinformation, less confidence, and other factors that have nothing to do with academic ability.

College Connections Hawaii believes this unacceptable

All students in Hawaii should have the opportunity to explore higher education.  Regardless of income, family background, past school performance, and other circumstances, all young people can find higher learning opportunities appropriate to their passions and interest.  Opening doors to higher education empowers our young people to build productive futures and healthy communities.

Office Staff

Kina Mahi - Executive Director

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Asiana Ponciano - Business Administrator

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Malamalama Johnson - Native Hawaiian Scholars Program Director

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Che Sabol - Native Hawaiian Scholars Program Advisor

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Caroline Miyashiro - Tutor Program Administrative Assistant

Paepaetele Poasa - Administrative Assistant

 

Board of Directors

Kalei Stern - President

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Amy Hennessey - Vice President

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Daniel T.S.Y. Shiu - Treasurer

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Monique Wedderburn - Secretary

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Todd Apo

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Stuart Coleman

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Justin Levinson

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Normand "Chip" Lezy

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