Lui Hokoana is the University of Hawaii Maui College Chancellor.

In exactly three weeks, we will confer 23 different certificates and degrees on a class of about 650 students who have reached their goal of graduating from college. What they have accomplished required a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, and support. We are supremely proud of their achievements.

Nineteen of those graduates will have earned their Associate of Science Degrees in Dental Hygiene. “Earned” is an understatement. Of the nineteen, six are from Maui. Thirteen come from other Islands and, literally, uprooted their lives to attend our program.

Kamahina Kaiama-Kanuha knows what it takes to succeed in the Dental Hygiene (DH) program. She actually moved her family from Moloka’i to Wailuku. “It is a very rigorous and demanding program that requires all your dedication and effort,” she says. “You will need to make a few sacrifices and adjustments to your life, but it will all be worth it in the end.” Moloka’i has just one private dental practice and one community health center. The health center doesn’t have a hygienist, but it likely will when Kamahina returns to her home Island in a few weeks’ time.

Jasmine Espiritu is from Hawai’i Island where the shortage of hygienists is acute. “I wanted to be a hygienist since I was little,” she remembers. “I used to pretend to clean my parents’ teeth.” She remained so committed to her vision that she flew to Maui every Sunday, attended her classes, and then flew home on Wednesdays. Her husband and retired father-in-law stepped up to care for her three children. “It feels good to know that I will soon be able to help contribute to my community in providing oral health services.”

Sabrina Camen Pargad grew up in the Philippines. “I didn’t know a lot about dental hygiene. We were very underserved,” she says. In addition to sacrifice and dedication, “it also takes an unwavering passion to heal, educate, and bring healthier smiles to those who need it most.” So, Sabrina plans to serve both her “home communities” — here on Maui and back in the Philippines.

A hallmark of our DH program is community service. Every student and every one of the nine instructors name it as one of the best parts of their journeys.

“I really enjoyed the community outreach that we do,” says Kamahina. “Even just working at the clinic as a student helps the community immensely.” Because the services the students provide would have been out of the reach of many. “The students go to schools to educate different age groups about dental health, including teaching kids how to brush and floss correctly,” explains Instructor Kari Riglos. They do oral cancer screenings for the traditionally underserved Micronesian community and they provide services and education at community events throughout the year. “As a matter of fact,” says Riglos, “the students be doing cleanings at the ‘Smiles for Miles’ event this Saturday, April 26th at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center along with lots of other dental health volunteers.”

Instructors participate in the community service events, too. “Our instructors are a family,” says DH Program Coordinator Leanne Higa. “They love dentistry and their whole goal is to pass on their knowledge. They know their students need them. They come in early. They stay late. Students know they have their backs.”

We use the words “graduation” and “commencement” interchangeably. Commencement, though, really means “beginning.” Our graduates are all looking forward to their new beginnings. And none more so than our Dental Hygiene graduates, most of whom will return to their hometowns and home Islands to do what they’ve been trained to do – serve their communities. This cohort is virtually guaranteed immediate employment. Ninety-nine percent (99%) of our past DH graduates are licensed and gainfully employed.

And even though it requires immense sacrifice, dedication, perseverance, discipline, and passion, the program is so popular that it’s expanding. Three instructors have been added and the 2025 student cohort will have four seats available on Hawai’i (West Hawai’i) Island and 20 seats on Maui. “It’s a very rigorous program,” says Riglos. “So be sure it’s for you. You must be passionate. It’s not just to get a job. You have to want to care for others, to provide the education that a lot of people don’t have in an area of work you care about.”

If you think you’ve got what it takes, you can find details and how to apply at maui.hawaii.edu/programs/dental Please note: You must select and apply to only one location. The deadline is May 1st at 4:00 p.m.

For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit maui.hawaii.edu/

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.