Kapono Returns as Interim Chancellor of Hawaiʻi CC

Donnette Leilani Kapono took the helm of Hawaiʻi Community College on November 2, stepping into the interim chancellor role after a career away from the campus. Her appointment creates a temporary leadership structure intended to maintain operational stability while the college navigates a transition period.

Kapono is not new to the institution. She worked at Hawaiʻi CC from 1998 to 2006, holding roles in the Office of Continuing Education and Training before becoming a faculty member and program coordinator. During that time, she developed training programs in agriculture, healthcare, and construction, often building partnerships to serve rural communities on the island.

After leaving the college, Kapono continued her career at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She held several leadership positions there, most recently serving as interim vice chancellor for student affairs. Her return marks a shift from university-wide administration back to the specific operational needs of the community college.

In her first public remarks regarding the role, Kapono described the position as a homecoming. She stated that she looks forward to reconnecting with faculty, staff, and students. She emphasized that the college is unique within the University of Hawaiʻi system because of its deep connection to local place and community, grounding its mission in Indigenous values and accessible learning.

Her immediate priorities include ensuring continuity, advancing student retention, and strengthening ties with industry partners. She also pointed to the concept of Kauhale, a shared sense of village and mutual support, as a central pillar of the college’s identity. Kapono framed the institution not just as a place of learning, but as a community anchor where all members play an essential role.

Kapono will serve for one year or until a permanent chancellor is selected. A national search for the next permanent leader is currently underway. The interim term is designed to bridge the gap between the previous administration and the final hiring decision without disrupting ongoing student programs.