Kapiolani Community College
Honolulu, HI, USA

Reviews

Kapiolani Community College

Lani from Honolulu, HI

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
Kapiolani Community College is a beautiful campus with views of Diamondhead and overlooking the ocean. Classes are small with teachers always willing to help. The curriculum leaves you ready to get a job or transfer to a 4 year school with no problem.
Tips for prospective students
Plan out your semesters early with dedicated study time for each class, buy your books before the semester starts, and read ahead. This makes the whole semester easier. Don't be afraid to get involved. There are so many clubs and activities with all sorts of people from all walks of life participating.
Academic Rigor
KCC has a great academic program. They are thorough teachers, but they are willing to teach you how to do everything, rather than just lecture aimlessly, and send you off to read on your own and turn in homework that you have no idea how it relates to the lecture given. All the teachers have office hours. Every teacher that I have had has always been willing to meet outside of office hours if you set an appointment with them, and they always help clarify things or give you one-on-one help if you need it. There is also free tutoring and mentoring on campus. I give this five stars because teachers don't judge their success by the percentage of students they fail, but by how many students they can successfully teach the material to.
Dorm Life
There aren't any dorms on campus, but they have housing for KCC in Waikiki about 5 minutes away. There are also lots of housing options around campus. I give this three stars because your dorm life will be fantstic in Waikiki, and your in a regular apartment building with only students.
Food and Dining
There are lots of options for food. KCC has a cafeteria, subway, and the amazing culinary school has their own restaurant/spot which is fully sustainable. I give five stars for the great prices and the sustainability factor, which KCC constantly tries to improve.
What to do for fun
Get involved! They have random movie showings, ice cream socials, and beach cleanups. Since you are on beautiful O'ahu, go out and do some hikes, go paddle boarding or surfing, and enjoy the amazing things nature has to offer. There is also Waikiki about 5 minutes away if you want night life.
Bang for the buck
This is an excellent school for the money you pay. I give this 5 stars because while it is a community college, it lives up to the University of Hawai'i standards of excellence. All your classes transfer when you are going to any of the schools within the UH system.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
KCC has amazing cactus gardens that you can get clippings from if you want to grow your own. There are also two farmers markets on campus on Tuesday and Saturday, where you can get cheap fresh fruits and amazing food already prepared. KCC's culinary school also has a booth there where they sell organic freshly prepared food!
Great for these types of students
This is a great school for everyone. If you're straight out of high school, this is a great place to start. If you're coming back to school or starting late, this is a fantastic school that has day and night time classes along with online classes to help you work around your busy schedule.
Clubs and Activities
There are clubs and activities for anything. Get enough people together and you can start your own. Any clubs I wanted to join were always available, and at various times, not just the one day at the same time I have class every week.
Greek Life
There are honor societies, but not really any sororities or fraternities.
Campus Safety
This is a community school in a good neighborhood. You're safe, but there is always campus security if you do need anything.

Kelly from Honolulu, HI

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
During this year I feel that Kapiolani Community College is doing a excellent job in providing a quality education for their students. With many courses to choose from, any student can create a schedule that fits their day perfectly. The faculty of Kapiolani are extremely educated and make connections with most of their students making it easier for first year students to adjust to college life. Kapiolani also has a variety of educational resources such as computers, printers, a giant library and many counselors ready to help any student.
Am enjoying being here
The school has a very good atmosphere, with a diverse student body to match. The campus is in a very convenient location and provides a numerous amount of services. Some of which include; blood drives, passport office, ice cream socials, talent shows, plays, farmers market and much more. Overall the school provides an excellent environment for any student.
Bang for the buck
Being that tuition and classes can come out to around 2000$, it can really save ones money. Kapiolani also has various school deals including a reduced bus pass making it easier for students to reach the school from anywhere on Oahu. They also have a book store where they sell anything from laptops to note paper.
Tips for prospective students
Choose your classes soon, because if you wait to late you might have a schedule that can interfere with your life. Speak with your teachers, many of the teachers at Kapiolani are very interactive and tend to build a connection with their students. knowing your teachers can help one alot if they are confused. Get your student I.D., the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Kapiolani hold many events such as concerts and other events, and bringing your student I.D. can get you in for free!
Great for these types of students
Students who want a quality education but may not be in the best financial situation. Students who are not sure of where they want to go or what they want to do yet, Kapiolani offers numerous amounts of seminars, counselor guidance and other tools for helping with those hard decisions. Also anyone who wants to live in a friendly environment and gain a greater sense of knowledge and build everlasting friendships.

Ian from Honolulu, HI

a current student here
Categories Comments
In three sentences
Very international student friendly. Very diverged. The best community college in Hawaii
Tips for prospective students
KCC is a great college, with lots of resources for student that helps in academics, would definitely recommend it to other students.
Academic Rigor
KCC is known for its culinary arts, EMT, Nursing, Rad Tech and other great programs.
Food and Dining
The Cafeteria is also great, it is being run by culinary arts students, which is I believe a great opportunity to experience on the job training.
What to do for fun
There are a lot of different clubs, and events that students could join while attending KCC, such as the international club, bible club, etc.
Bang for the buck
Has Financial Aid
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
International Day, where students represents and share their traditions and culture.
Great for these types of students
International, Culinary, Nursing, EMT, Rad Tech.
Clubs and Activities
International club, Bible, and other, there are also other clubs and activities that students can participate.
Campus Safety
It is a safe college with campus securities always patrolling around the campus.

Janelle from Honolulu, HI

a current student here
Categories Comments
Am learning a lot
The teachers at KCC emphasize LEARNING, not just memorizing information for tests. They want us to obtain skills that will help us in the work force (knowing that force equals mass times acceleration is NOT one of those skills). They teach students how to think critically; they teach students how to be open-minded and understanding; they teach students how to learn. It's the level of thinking that matters, and I'm glad that KCC is teaching me how to reach higher levels of thinking, and is not merely stuffing my brain with facts.
Am enjoying being here
It's kind of hard to make friends if you don't already have any going in, but people are really nice and teachers are very helpful. The smaller class sizes are more intimate, making for a better learning environment where the professors actually know who you are!
Bang for the buck
Most definitely getting the most bang for my buck. The school is really good about providing financial aid to students who need and deserve it, especially during these tough economical times. Plus, the classes I am taking are general education requirements which are equivalent to those at the University of Hawaii, but I am paying WAY less. DEFINTELY getting the most bang for my buck at KCC!!!
Tips for prospective students
TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS! You'll be glad you did :) Asking for help does not mean you're dumb, and becoming friends with the teacher does not mean you're a brown-noser. When it comes time for recommendation letters to be written, you'll understand why it is so important to create good relationships with your teachers (so don't forget to make a good impression!). If you're a good student, and you get the teacher's attention, you'll be sure to get good recommendations (which you will DEFINITELY need).