Hawaiʻi Community College’s Auto Body Repair and Painting Program is the only auto body program in the University of Hawaiʻi Community College system, carrying on a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and career readiness that began in 1966.
The program, which has graduated almost 1,000 technicians, is helping to sustain Hawaiʻi Island’s transportation trades community, and has experienced a notable rise in women’s enrollment.
“The shop feels like family. We all have fun, we work on cars … but we do work,” said first-year student Aysia Lee. “My favorite part of this class is pretty much the finish-up work. I like to paint and buff the entire car—preparing it for the customer, cleaning it up.”
The comprehensive training covers all aspects of collision repair and refinishing, including welding, air conditioning systems, steering and suspension, brakes, interior work, glass installation and automotive detailing. Another first-year student, Beauden Hancock, said the experience has been invaluable.
“Hawaiʻi CC’s Auto Body program has taught me to be on my feet and prepared for this fast-paced industry that’s always evolving,” Hancock said. “I’ve been in the shop since day one and it’s been a great experience. I’ve always loved working in auto body, I always took shop classes in high school. I’m glad to be here.”
Blending the best of old and new
The program, now led by Associate Professor Garrett Fujioka—a Hawaiʻi CC alumnus—blends the best of “old-school” precision and “new-school” technology. Fujioka and Assistant Professor Colby Koreyasu bring modern industry experience directly to the students.
“[We] both came from the industry, so we bring all the modern technology and methods we use in our own shops directly into the classroom,” Fujioka said. “But we still hold on to the old-school principles—the foundation skills and the attitude—that make a great body technician. Our students come out of here with basic skills that can take them anywhere in the industry—collision repair, insurance estimating, paint supply, or even auto mechanics.”
He noted that most students find local work due to high demand. The instructors also collaborate closely with other transportation programs across the UH Community College System.
“We might be the only auto body program, but the other campuses—Honolulu CC, Leeward, Kauaʻi, Maui—they all support us. We have camaraderie,” Fujioka said. “We’re lucky to be part of the transportation ʻohana.”
For more go to Hawaiʻi CC.
