Kauai CC hosts free Ohana Night for new students and families

Kauai families still trying to lock in Fall 2026 plans will get a free, one-stop enrollment night at Kauai Community College, where admissions staff, counselors and financial aid advisers will help new students register before the summer window closes. The college’s sixth annual Ohana Night is set for Tuesday, June 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Learning Resource Center in Līhue.

The event is aimed at all new Fall 2026 students who have not yet registered, along with their families. KCC says the evening will include College Readiness Workshops, Steps to Enroll labs and personalized help from Admissions, Academic Counseling and Financial Aid. Free TB testing will also be available on site, and the college says light refreshments and pūpū will be served.

The practical value is in how many pieces of the enrollment puzzle will be handled in one place. Students will be able to get help with FAFSA forms, map out class schedules, ask about on-campus employment through Career Services and learn about transfer pathways to University of Hawaii bachelor’s programs. Students are encouraged to register ahead of time on the KCC website, but walk-ins will be welcomed, and questions can be directed to the Admissions & Records office at 808-245-0127.

The timing matters. KCC’s fall 2026 semester begins Aug. 24, and the college’s academic calendar shows fall registration began April 27, leaving a narrow summer stretch for students who still need to finish paperwork or decide on a program. Late registration fees of $30 begin Aug. 24, making June’s outreach especially useful for families trying to avoid last-minute costs and missed deadlines.

The event also reflects the role Kauai CC plays in the island’s education pipeline. The college’s homepage says 76% of its students are from Kauai, 78% received financial aid and 60% transferred to online bachelor’s programs. For island students weighing whether to stay local or leave for school, that makes enrollment support more than a campus service. It is a way to keep more students on island while connecting them to degrees and jobs that can carry them further.

That hands-on approach has been a feature of Ohana Night before. More than a hundred people attended the 2023 event, which also included a community pop-up food distribution. Admissions Specialist Keanna Pavao said the night can include FAFSA help, schedule planning and other one-on-one enrollment support, while Chancellor Margaret Sanchez, who became permanent chancellor in July 2024 after serving as interim beginning Jan. 3, 2023, has overseen the college during this broader outreach period.