“For the majority of my life I was in and out of prison. Domestic violence, crime and trauma had me on a total path of destruction. Four years ago I was sitting in a prison cell filled with feelings of guilt and shame. I couldn’t look at myself. I couldn’t care for my kids, and their cries would haunt me day in and day out,” said Sophia Kaawa-Aweau.
The Windward Community College 2023 spring commencement speaker was describing her life prior to contact with the college. Her speech at the ceremony in May was posted to Instagram, and by late June had been viewed more than 15,000 times, with more than 150 shares.
“I was failing as a mom and I failed my mother, who had to carry [my children] through my prison [sentence] and my addiction. Getting arrested was the best thing that happened to me. It gave me time to reflect and regain my self-esteem, through prison, and Windward Community College courses,” Kaawa-Aweau said. “I took a chance and studied hard and passed all the courses that were offered. I then received my psychosocial developmental studies certificate and this is where I felt inspired to go back to school and continue my education. As soon as I came out of prison I enrolled at WCC.”
According to Kaawa-Aweau, college was life changing. She said she gained personal knowledge and awareness from every course. At Windward CC, she also acquired the tools to help to grow into who she is today. She graduated summa cum laude with associate’s degrees in liberal arts and Hawaiian studies.
She said, “I can look at myself today. I can care for my kids. I’m not a failing mom and I’m making it up to my mother. I will be someone for my kids and my mom to depend on.”
“Sophia’s story is a true testament to the supportive aloha of a Windward CC education. Through services like our Puʻuhonua Program in incarcerated facilities and our TRiO Student Support Services program on campus, our faculty and staff serve students so they can achieve their dreams despite huge barriers,” said Windward CC Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg. “Sophia never gave up; she is an inspiration to the entire community.”
Kaawa-Aweau’s story doesn’t end with turning things around at Windward CC.
“Today, I’m graduating with honors and I will continue to pursue my degree in social work because of my personal experiences and because of my growth in myself and in my education,” said Kaawa-Aweau, who was accepted into the social work program at UH Mānoa and plans to eventually pursue a master’s degree. “I want to help women who have been where I’ve been because I know that the struggle is real, and I believe that education helped me regain my life in ways that I cannot explain.”
—By Kelli Trifonovitch
