The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM) College of Education (COE) Office of Student Academic Services (OSAS) participated in a three-day Ho‘olaule‘a in Los Angeles, California last month. Academic Advisor Laurie Akana was among the UHM representatives from Admissions, Hawai’inuiakea, Arts & Humanities, Engineering, Foundations, Library Information Sciences, and the COE.
OSAS was part of an activities booth with program information, a kalo tasting, book giveaways, and other demonstrations. Hosted by the Hawai‘i Interclub Council of Southern California, the Ho‘olaule‘a has been held annually for 38 years with an average community attendance of 80,000 visitors.
“There was high interest in teacher education and kinesiology/rehabilitation science,” Akana said. “Native Hawaiian students were thrilled to learn that they can attend UHM without paying non-resident tuiton fees.” Representatives from other Ho‘olaule‘a organizers were present and eager to meet the UHM team who is looking forward to the possibility of participating in future events.
During an alumni dinner, Akana met more than 70 alumni members from the California area who make up the largest UH Mānoa alumni group on the mainland.
“I had the opportunity to meet COE alumna, Therese Brock, who works as an elementary teacher in Long Beach, California,” Akana added. “She remembered fondly the classes, faculty, and working as a student at CRDG with Morris Lai. Her son even attended the Laboratory School.”
Akana concluded that, along with being a very engaging and interactive experience, the Ho‘olaule‘a was a tremendous recruitment opportunity with many representatives on hand to answer questions about admission, financial aid, and degree paths.
