For Melanie Ako, graduating from Kapiʻolani Community College this spring with a Certificate of Competence in Community Health Work is more than just a milestone—it’s a turning point.
“I didn’t finish high school. I got my GED in 2005 and thought that was enough,” Ako said. “I didn’t have the support back then to follow through with anything. But now, with the support I have, I’ve proven to myself that I can finish what I start.”
Honestly, I feel like this program chose me.
—Melanie Ako
Ako enrolled at Kapiʻolani CC in fall 2024 while working full time at 7-Eleven in Mākaha, raising four children—the youngest in fourth grade— and caring for her family. She discovered the Community Health Worker (CHW) program during a telehealth visit at Waiʻanae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) and was immediately drawn to it.
“It just spoke to me. Honestly, I feel like this program chose me,” she said.
Connecting with coursework, community
The CHW program trains students to become trusted connectors between healthcare systems and underserved communities. Ako’s practicum at WCCHC allowed her to engage in meaningful work—conducting outreach, shadowing case managers and coordinating events for kūpuna.
“These experiences were so valuable,” she said. “They helped me grow professionally and gave me a purpose in serving my community.”
While the program was mostly online, Ako found a deep connection with her coursework and instructors. She credits Phoebe Hwang, assistant professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, with helping her stay motivated.
“Phoebe is amazing,” Ako said. “Her lessons and assignments were thoughtful and made the material feel applicable to real life. She really helped me build confidence in myself.”
Strong commitment to serving
Hwang said: “I’ve had the pleasure of having Melanie in two CHW courses. Despite not having been in a traditional academic setting in a while, having to care for her children and family members, while working full time, she performed exceptionally well. She consistently engaged with the program in a way that showed depth, reflection and a strong commitment to serving others.”
Ako hopes to continue her work at WCCHC, helping others as she was once helped.
“Being a community health worker allows me to support others, just like someone once did for me,” she said.
—By Lisa Yamamoto
