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Graduation Information

May 10, 2013 - Waikiki Shell - 5:30 PM

A triumphant ending and a new beginning,...this ageless rhythmic cycle defines and renews our lives. We invite you to participate in 2013 Commencement exercises of the University of Hawai‘i - Honolulu Community College. This annual ritual which marks not only the bittersweet culmination of our students’ academic programs, but also the new beginnings we face in the life-long odyssey for truth, meaning and success.

Commencement is a time for all of us - parents and children, teachers and students, faculty and staff, friends and family - to pause for a moment in the shadow of majestic Diamond Head crater to glance back on the experiences that have brought us to this high place of learning and achievement. From that vantage point we can look ahead to the challenges and opportunities before us and see in them the profound and pivotal role of higher education. The Commencement of the University of Hawai‘i - Honolulu Community College salutes the Graduating Class of 2012-2013 and pays tribute to the many people who have made their graduation possible. The infectious spirit of success will radiate at our Commencement activities on a fine May evening-a fitting farewell to our degree candidates. Please join with us as together we celebrate our students’ achievements and bright futures.

Location of Ceremony

This year's ceremony will be held at the Waikiki Shell (2805 Monsarrat Ave) in Kapiolani Park, between Waikiki and Diamond Head in Honolulu. With the world-famous Diamond Head Crater for a backdrop. The Waikiki Shell is a spectacular location for us to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. Parking near the Waikiki Shell: Parking at and near Waikiki Shell is limited. Special parking will NOT be available. Plan enough time for travel and parking.

  • No tickets are required for entry. You may invite an unlimited number of friends, family & colleagues. The venue seats 2400 and the lawn area has capacity for an additional 6000. Seating is first come, first serve, with reserved sections only for graduates, faculty and college affiliated personnel.
  • The gates to the Waikiki Shell will open to family, friends and guests at 4:45 PM.
  • When guests arrive, graduates will already be lining up in preparation for the procession. Guests should take their seats and greet their graduates after the ceremony. The processional will begin promptly at 5:30 PM.
  • Late guests may be refrained from seating until a break in the graduation program.
  • After the event there will be large letters posted on the perimeter of the grounds. Meet family & friends at the letter that corresponds to the graduates last name.
  • Parking at and near the Waikiki Shell is limited. To have our event be the best it can be for all those involved we suggest that guests carpool with friends and family to the event, allow ample time to get through rush hour traffic and consider getting to Waikiki early or staying after to enjoy the park & beach and avoid the high traffic flow times.
  • Requests for a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation may be made by contacting access@hcc.hawaii.edu or by calling 845-9282 V/T. Two weeks advanced notice requested. Guests using wheelchairs should contact the ushers upon arrival at the Waikiki Shell for seating suggestions.

Day of the Ceremony

  • Arrive at the Waikiki Shell by 3:00 PM Friday, May 10, 2013
  • Remember that this will be a Friday afternoon with lots of traffic. Plan extra time for travel & parking.
  • Remember to bring and/or come wearing your gown and cap. There will not be time to retrieve it later.
  • We will do a short rehearsal so that everyone is familiar with what is going to happen during the actual ceremony.
  • During rehearsal there will also be light refreshments and an opportunity to get critical information regarding your photos of the event, diplomas and alumni association membership. We will then line up for the actual ceremony.
  • Please do not bring any belongings that are bulky or need to be stored. There will not be any places to leave or store such belongings. We recommend that if you must bring a handbag that it be one that fits neatly under your gown.

Invitations

To inform your friends and family of your graduation, you can print your own invitations from the professional design we are providing.

Photos & Videos

The audience may take photographs and videos from their seats only. The Picture Man of Hawai'i will take individual photographs of students as they are recognized on stage. A free proof will be mailed to you by the photographer after commencement, and you may order additional photographs at that time. If you do not wish to have your address forwarded to the photographer so that he can send the proof to you, please submit your request in writing by May 1, 2013 to Commencement Ceremony Request, 874 Dillingham Blvd, Honolulu, HI, 96817. For more information on ordering photographs, call 808-499-2400.

A Honolulu Community College video will be made of the ceremony for us to capture the history, pride and appreciation students have of HCC. We will interview students about the journey from the first day of class to graduation. We encourage everyone to participate in sharing memories.

Caps & Gown Pick Up

The HCC Bookstore is coordinating the distribution of caps, gowns and tassels. The book store will be open Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM on the first floor of Building 2. The complete package cost for cap, gown & tassel is approximately $33.00. The caps & gowns are black and sold by height. Tassels are Teal. You may buy each item separately if you already have some of the items. Please plan to stop by the campus and pick up your items as soon as possible. You will want to allow time to try on the sample sizes to ensure a correct fit. Sizes are limited. They will be packaged and you will be responsible for ensuring that your gown is ironed and/or crease free for the Graduation ceremony. You may wear a black gown that you already own. Graduates without gowns will NOT be able to participate in this event. Also, plan ahead with enough bobby pins to secure your caps as necessary. The attire worn under the gown should be fitting of the formality of the ceremony. We recommend comfortable, closed toe shoes

Cap & Gown Donations

To assist future graduates who may be hard pressed to afford a cap and or gown, we will be collecting donations of used gowns after the ceremony. If you have no plans to re-use your cap and/or gown, please leave it in the donation box at the exit of the event or bring it to the Student Life and Development office anytime thereafter. If you are in a financial hardship now and may need to use a donated gown, send an email to Student Life that explains your situation. All requests will be evaluated and we will let you know the outcome.

Honors Cords

Honors students earning a cumulative institutional GPA of 3.5 or higher as of Fall 2012 will be acknowledged in the program and at the ceremony as "with honors." Those students will be awarded a gold honor cord at the event. You must attend the event to receive your honor cord.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society or Student Leader Stoles

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and student leader graduates should see their organization advisors if they have any questions about how to pick up their graduation attire, in advance.

Graduation Cap Decorating Contest

Over the past years some students have really enjoyed decorating their Graduation cap to reflect their pride in their major and/or campus. These designs have been flat or 3-D and made from a variety of materials. This year we will be awarding prizes to those students who best exemplify their major (Liberal Arts student may use a future major or career). For example: Sheet Metal could have a metal piece on their cap, a replica of an item they have built, a picture that represents the trade or union. The possibilities are endless. All caps must be recognizable as Graduation caps and wearable for the ceremony. Regulations: Not to exceed 6 inches high, and the dimensions of the cap. When creating please be mindful of the weight. Students wishing to compete must bring their decorated cap to Graduation rehearsal at the Waikiki Shell by 3:15 PM. Each Graduate may only compete with one cap and all the work must be your own.

Graduation Volunteers

We are looking for Honolulu Community College students who are not graduating but are interested in being part of the event to serve as volunteers. The Graduation Volunteers help usher other guests, line up graduates, coordinate parking, coordinate refreshments and such. Please encourage your friends and classmates to contact Student Life, hccsld@hawaii.edu.

Diplomas

Because semester records will not be available by the date of commencement, the conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that degree requirements have been met. Diplomas will be available for pickup 10 weeks after the ceremony at the Records Office. For further information, call (808) 845-9120.