About Us:

The Hospitality and Tourism Education Department provides students with program specialization in Hospitality Operations Management, and Travel and Tourism Operations Management. The strength of the Hospitality and Tourism specializations continues to be the practical hands-on application of theory and academics in active laboratory settings. 

​

History:

The Hotel Operations program (HOPER) at Kapiʻolani Community College was established in 1971 as part of the Hotel/Restaurant program.  In 1973 the program was moved to the Business Education division at KCC, and in 1981, was merged with the Food Service Education Department to form the Food Service and Hospitality Education Department. With the growth of Hawaii's visitor industry, further expansion took place, and by 1986, students were attending classes during both the day and the evening.  Sixteen full-time and part-time instructors taught 44 sections of 18 courses each semester. In January 1993 the ‘Ōlapa building was completed and the Hotel/Restaurant Operations and Travel & Tourism programs moved into the facilities in summer 1993. 

​

In 1995 there were 19 full-time and part-time faculty teaching 45 sections of 25 courses in Culinary/Patisserie Arts, Hotel/Restaurant Operations and in Travel & Tourism. In fall 1996, an updated and revised Hotel/Restaurant Operations and a revised Travel & Tourism program were proposed and passed by the curriculum committee. In October 1999, the Food Service and Hospitality Education Department conducted a year-long self-analysis of its programs, which culminated in a three-day site visit by five industry and education commission officials in October 2000. In January 2001, the Certificate of Achievement in Culinary Arts program and the Associates of Science Degree in Culinary Arts and the Associates of Science Degree in Patisserie programs received a 7-year re-accreditation from the American Culinary Federation (ACF), and the Certificate of Achievement in Travel and Tourism and the Associates of Science Degree in Travel and Tourism and the Associates of Science Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Operations received a 4-year initial accreditation from the Commission on Hospitality Management Programs (CAHM). This dual accreditation resulted in Kapi`olani Community College becoming only the second two-year college in the nation to receive both accreditations.

​

Effective fall 2001, the Food Service and Hospitality Education Department separated into two departments to allow growth for both. 

​

Hospitality & Tourism Education Department Mission Statement:

• To prepare students for immediate employment in entry level and/or supervisory positions in the hospitality & tourism industry.

• To foster success in transferring to four-year baccalaureate programs in Travel Industry Management, Hospitality & Tourism Management or Business Administration.

• To be the first choice for education and training for Hawai‘i’s visitor industry employees and managers.

• To export the department’s expertise in hospitality & tourism operations management and host culture to developing tourism countries

​​

Ala Nu‘ukia – Mission

He hale hāmama ‘o Kapi‘olani Kula Nui Kaiāulu no nā ‘ano kaiāulu like ‘ole, e ho‘olako i nā kānaka ho‘ākea ‘ike e hiki aku i ka pahuhopu ‘imi na‘auao, ‘imi ‘oihana, a ho‘olaulā ‘ike. He loa‘a nā palapala a‘o, nā kēkelē mua puka, me nā polokalamu ho‘īli kula he kilohana wale e ho‘omākaukau i nā haumāna maoli, kūloko, kaumoku‘āna, kau‘āina no ka mua he lako.  

​

Kapi‘olani Community College provides open access to higher education opportunities in pursuit of academic, career, and lifelong learning goals to the diverse communities of Hawai‘i. Committed to student success through engagement, learning, and achievement, we offer high

quality certificates and associate degrees, and transfer pathways that prepare indigenous, local, national, and international students for their productive futures.

​

‘Ōlelo Nu‘ukia – Vision

He Kula Nui Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi ‘o Kapi‘olani Kula Nui Kaiāulu a na kā lākou mau haumāna puka e ho‘oikaika i ke kaiāulu o ko Hawai‘i mau kaiāulu like ‘ole ma ka honua e loli mau.  

  

Kapi‘olani Community College is a model indigenous serving institution whose graduates strengthen the social, economic, and sustainable advancement of Hawai‘i and the world. 

​

Nā lawena waiwai – Values

Ho‘ohanohano ‘ia ka ho‘īlina a ka Mō‘īwahine o Kapi‘olani e Kapi‘olani Kula Nui Kaiāulu ma o kēia mau lawena waiwai:

​

Kapi‘olani Community College honors the legacy of Queen Kapi‘olani through these values:

 

Kūpono: Practicing honesty and integrity with clarity in all relationships.

​

Kuleana: Sharing a common responsibility to support the future of our students, college, community, land, and sea.

​

Mālama: Protecting and perpetuating ancestral knowledge.

​

Kūloa‘a: Ensuring that the needs of our students are met with support and service.

​

Kūlia: Creating meaningful curricula and learning experiences that serve as a foundation for all to stand and move forward.  

​

Alaka‘i ‘ia mākou e kā mākou nu‘ukia like, lawena waiwai like, a me ka ho‘okō kuleana haumāna like ma o ke kāko‘o ‘i‘ini, ke a‘o, ka ho‘okō pahuhopu, me ka palapala ‘o Hawai‘i Papa o Ke Ao.  

​

We are guided by our shared vision, values and commitments and by the recommendations of Hawai‘i Papa O Ke Ao. 

​

​