Cianni Rae Kekahuna, Windward Community College’s Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi (ASUH) president, will earn associate degrees in liberal arts and Hawaiian studies—a milestone the 25-year-old never imagined possible a few years ago.
“I never saw myself going to college,” Kekahuna said. “I’ve always wanted to, you know, but I never saw myself actually being able to do it after I had a child—but it was one of the best decisions of my life.”
A single mother to now 4-year-old Obadiah Rai, Kekahuna was working multiple jobs when she applied for an apprenticeship with Hoʻokuaʻāina, a non-profit that cultivates taro in Kailua, which required enrollment in Windward CC.
“I love aloha ʻāina work (taking care of the land), and when I came across the apprenticeship, I was like, ‘Wow, this is super cool. I really want to do this!’” she said.
She enrolled at Windward CC in 2023.
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“I can honestly go on and on about how much it really impacted the well being of my life overall,” Kekahuna said. “That campus’ atmosphere is beyond exceptional—it’s a small-knit community—and the support that it holds for the students, there’s so many different support systems that really help you move forward.”
Leadership role
She did more than move forward, and was elected to serve as the campus’ ASUH president in her last academic year. In that role, Kekahuna traveled through the state and to the East Coast for the first time in her life—to Philadelphia—for an academic conference.
“This whole year, I was the president of Windward [ASUH], and that alone opened so many doors for me. I have personal connections with all these people now, and I’m really grateful for that.” Kekahuna said. “I’ve met people from Boston, California, Texas—just those open doors that it offers—I’m super grateful.”
Windward CC Student Life Coordinator Kaahu Alo was the one who convinced Kekahuna to run for president.
“Her strength comes from her past. She grew up really fast and so sheʻs able to connect with younger students and give her perspective on things,” Alo said. “She just has this spirit, she makes everybody welcome. Sheʻll support you and listen to you and talk story—I think she has a very inviting personality.”
‘All you could ask for’
Next up: Kekahuna will transfer to UH Mānoa and is considering majoring in psychology and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).
“I’m getting chicken skin, because it’s been really bittersweet for me,” she said. “I really don’t want to leave, but, you know, you have to in order to grow. And I get that. I just love the people, the ambiance, the atmosphere, the support—it’s all you could ask for in a school.”
—By Kelli Abe Trifonovitch
