Game-changing, innovative Windward CC program gets $1M boost

VIDEO NEWS RELEASE

Windward CC's inaugural 2013 Paipai O Ko‘olau cohort members at graduation.

2019 Paipai O Ko‘olau cohort member Tiana Pittler and son Zachary.

Windward CC's 2019 Paipai O Ko‘olau cohort.

Link to video and sound (details below): https://bit.ly/2IpRRS7

WHAT: A Windward Community College program to increase college enrollment and graduation rates, Paipai O Ko‘olau (Support of the Ko‘olau) 13th Year Program, is expanding.

HOW: The Harold K. L. Castle Foundation seeded the program with $922,815 in 2013.  Based on the program’s impact, the foundation has done a rare second round of funding of $1,286,092 to expand and enhance the program.

The new grant aims to expand the program and extend its best practices across the campus and its impact on student, college and community success.  

WHO: From 2013-2019, Paipai O Ko‘olau provided support to 316 students, who might never have gone to college. The vast majority of Paipai students, 78 percent, are Native Hawaiian and more than 95 percent are considered low-income. 

WHY: The innovative program works. Paipai O Ko‘olau students have earned a total of 123 degrees, including 11 bachelor’s and two master’s, and have graduation and transfer rates higher than the general student population.

WHEN: The grant was made in September 2019 and is for five years.

MORE ABOUT PAIPAI O KO‘OLAU:

Paipai o Koʻolau provides intrusive counseling and high-touch wrap-around support to students who are residents of Windward O‘ahu and who have demonstrated financial need that creates a barrier to entering college.

Priority is given to students who:

• have not previously attended college

• have other needs that may affect their ability to attend college

• will not be able to attend college without Paipai o Koʻolau’s support

• have strong recommendations from community partners

OTHER FACTS:  

The new grant aims to expand the program infrastructure through sharing and implementation of Paipai O Ko‘olau’s best practices through other Windward CC counselors and staff.  

Another key Paipai O Ko‘olau scholarship funder is the Mamoru and Aiko Takitani Foundation. Paipai is currently seeking more community partners and scholarship funders.

VIDEO:

BROLL:

7 shots of students at Windward CC

4 shots of Paipai and other students in class at Windward CC

5 shots of Tiana Pittler and son Zachary

2 photos graduation of Paipai O Ko‘olau 2013 (inaugural) cohort

2 photos of Paipai O Ko‘olau 2019 cohort

SOUND:

Tiana Pittler, Windward CC student (18-year-old single mother, with a two-year-old son who goes to Windward CC’s Hānaiaulu Childcare Center) (:12)

“It has really allowed me to use my FAFSA for him because they pay for my first year of college. It’s really helped me financially going to college because I was afraid that I was going to have a hard time paying for school, too.”

Duane Dias, Windward CC student (former drug addict who was incarcerated for two years and now wants to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in social work to help others who are trying to turn their lives around) (:11)

“People have faith in me and it gave me a better perspective of what I want to do and how to achieve it.”

Georgianna DeCosta, Harold K. L. Castle Foundation Windward Program Officer (:09)

“Through Paipai O Ko‘olau. We really see this as changing the lives and trajectory for not only the individuals, but families.”

Sarah Akina, Paipai O Ko‘olau Program Director (:14)

“It’s amazing to see their journey and help so many individuals that maybe don’t think college is possible. Maybe timing, or for other reasons, and see them thrive and love it.”

For more information, visit: https://windward.hawaii.edu/paying-for-college/paipai-o-koolau/