Hawaii College's First Fundraiser Trains 100+ Students

Students at Hawaiʻi Community College just turned a fundraiser into the learning experience of a lifetime.

On April 18, over 100 community leaders, alumni, and local partners filled the I Ola Nō Ke Kino Dining Room at the college's Hilo campus for the first-ever E ʻImi Pono fundraiser. The evening featured culinary arts students working alongside Ryan Brannigan, executive chef at Hilo Benioff Medical Center, to serve an exceptional menu celebrating local flavors.

Guests enjoyed A5 Kagoshima Wagyu striploin with oyster and lion's mane mushroom risotto, a sushi bar with Hokkaido uni and blue crab, and student-prepared dishes like hamachi with ponzu and lilikoi butter tarts. But the real star of the evening wasn't the food. It was watching students gain real-world training while building connections with future employers.

"Food brings people together, but what makes this event special is the impact Hawaiʻi Community College has across the island," Brannigan said after the event. He noted that the college shapes the community through workforce training and career pathways in ways many people don't always see.

The Ripple Effect

The fundraiser showcased how education works best when programs collaborate. Students and faculty from six different departments contributed to the evening's success, from agriculture students sourcing ingredients to welding and carpentry students building event infrastructure.

This integrated approach reflects how the college prepares students for real careers on the Big Island. The event itself became a training ground where culinary students learned to work under pressure alongside industry professionals.

Chancellor Susan Kazama praised the collaborative spirit. "E ʻImi Pono represents the spirit of Hawaiʻi Community College: collaboration, innovation and commitment to our students," she said.

Every dollar raised supports scholarships, equipment, and expanded training opportunities that help students build career pathways while meeting workforce needs across Hawaiʻi Island. The evening proved that investing in education creates immediate value for both students and the community they'll serve.

The success of this first E ʻImi Pono fundraiser shows what's possible when a community rallies around its students and their futures.