U.S. Military Veterans welcomed at Kaua'i CC Veterans Support Center

Kauaʻi Community College
Contact:
Camilla Matsumoto, (808) 245-8280
Comm Outreach & Spec Proj, Kauai Community College
Posted: Mar 5, 2015

Veterans are welcomed at Kaua'i CC.
Veterans are welcomed at Kaua'i CC.
Vice Chancellor James Dire and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's Outreach Liaison Kaulana Finn.
Vice Chancellor James Dire and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's Outreach Liaison Kaulana Finn.

LIHUE—On Friday, February 27, high noon was greeted by not only the bright shining sun, but also succulent aromas of hamburgers and hotdogs being grilled on an open fire and the lively exchange of wisdom from American military veterans, and their advocates of all backgrounds, who came to offer their support of the continuation of the Kaua'i Community College Veterans' Support Center. Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs James Dire, who is also a retired member of the U.S. Coast Guard, opened the festivities by thanking the Po'ipu and Hanalei Rotarians and Kaua'i CC's electronics engineer Patrick Watase for volunteering time, materials, and labor so that the campus Veterans Support Center can provide an environment with amenities such as computers, WiFi, and a lounge.  Over 120 attended the celebration.  Currently, approximately 50 veterans are enrolled at the College.

The Center is also a place where student employees, who are U.S. military veterans, can fulfill their mission to help all veterans who want to attend and succeed in college by providing referrals, and assistance. Their services are provided both on and off campus across the island.

Lyle Tabata, from the Office of the Mayor, shared caring and supportive words from Mayor Bernard Carvalho for the success of the Veterans' Support Center. Kaulana Finn, Constituent Outreach Liaison for U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, presented a framed Congressional Proclamation for the Support Center.

Veteran student employess Foster Brown, Rachel Seeger, Steve Bartel, and Keiaikekai (K) Harris were thankful for everyone's support, including efforts being made toward furthering developing partnerships with the veteran community, assuring that all veterans may receive the support needed to attend Kaua'i CC and succeed.