For William Aana, Honolulu Community College wasn’t just a school—it was a turning point.
Once homeless and battling addiction and mental health struggles, Aana’s life today looks drastically different. He serves as a telecommunications technician (student aid) with the Honolulu Police Department and will pursue a bachelor’s degree in information assurance/cybersecurity at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu after graduating from Honolulu CC on May 16 with an associate in science from the Computing, Security & Networking Technology program.
Before enrolling at Honolulu CC, Aana’s life spiraled after a derailed sheet metal apprenticeship and burnout in Las Vegas. He eventually returned home to Hawaiʻi, still facing instability—but with renewed determination.
“Honolulu Community College has been a very important part of my life. Simply because it was the first college I ever attended and it would be like drawing a full circle to close it out none other than here. ‘From humble beginnings to glorious endings.’ This is why it’s important to me,” said Aana.
‘Grit and integrity’
At Honolulu CC, he found structure and support. He thrived in a rigorous academic environment and gained real-world experience through internships with the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission and Project Vision. He also found community in programs such as Poʻi Nā Nalu (a career and technical education program), TRIO-Student Support Service (TRIO–SSS), and Ola Niuhelewai (a program to raise Native Hawaiian students’ academic progress).
“Will has faced some tough challenges, but he’s never let them hold him back. He pushes through with grit and integrity, always keeping his eyes on the bigger picture,” said TRIO–SSS Academic Support Coordinator Jan Abo Vierra. “He led Phi Theta Kappa (an honor society) with quiet strength, earning respect through action rather than words. He keeps raising the bar for himself, never settling, always striving. I’m proud of him, and even prouder of the person he’s become.”
Aana now mentors younger students, serves as president of Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Kappa Iota Chapter, and is a certified ordained minister. He also leads a Bible distribution ministry in the Philippines, helping underserved communities.
“I just wanted to thank God and everyone who has helped me along the way—faculty, staff and all of my amazing co-workers at HPD,” Aana said.
His message to others: “Always—no matter what hardships you may be going through—pick yourself up and continue to push on through.”
—By Iris Greges
