GRADUATION CEREMONY AT WOMEN’S COMMUNITY CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR CULINARY ARTS AND GED PROGRAMS

HONOLULU - The Women's Community Correctional Center (WCCC) hosted a graduation ceremony Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, for five women who earned their GED from the Department of Education's McKinley Community School for Adults (MCSA), as well as for six women who earned a certificate from the Kapiʻolani Community College (KCC) Culinary Arts Program.

WCCC Warden Ione "Noni" Guillonta said, "I'm extremely proud of the women that graduated today. Guillonta also thanked community partners and the facility's dedicated education staff who play a vital role in the women's achievements.

Director Tommy Johnson of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said, "The GED and Culinary Arts programs provide participants with a solid foundation and a pathway toward a successful transition into the community upon their release."

Inmate Mirriam Auwae, one of the graduates who earned a certificate in the Culinary Arts Program, spoke at the ceremony and lauded KCC Culinary Arts' Chef Instructor Lee Shinsato for his guidance and support. "Chef Lee has pushed us to be better not only in the kitchen but also in life," Auwae said. "When I say this, I speak not only for myself but for the rest of the class, it's been a privilege to be in your class and work under your supervision."

DCR and WCCC officials, administrators, staff, KCC Culinary Arts' instructors, MCSA curriculum coordinator as well as the graduates' family members and loved ones attended the event.

During the ceremony, DCR Deputy Director Sanna Muñoz of the Rehabilitation Services and Programs Division thanked facility staff and all of the educators for teaching and serving as mentors for the women.

Muñoz congratulated all the graduates and commended them for their drive and dedication. "Today, we celebrate this important milestone in your lives, we celebrate your courage, commitment, and determination. It takes bravery to start something new, resolve to keep going through the frustrations and challenges that come, and strength to see it through. You should be proud of yourselves, as we are proud of you," Muñoz said.

During the ceremony, Curriculum Coordinator Allen Wong of the McKinley Community School for Adults presented diplomas to the five GED graduates. Students in the GED program must achieve a passing minimum score of 145 in each individual exam in the following subjects - Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Social Studies and Science - to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

Instructor Chef Lee Shinsato also presented certificates to six students who completed the six-month, college-level Culinary Arts Program. Students earn a certificate of competence where they learn the fundamentals of culinary arts and safety and sanitation procedures. Students also honed practical skills such as time management and teamwork.

If any of the students opt to further their education, 14 credits earned from the Culinary Arts Program will appear on their University of Hawaiʻi transcripts.

Shinsato said all the graduates did well in the program. At the ceremony, he spoke about being "pono (righteous)." "It's your responsibility, it's your privilege to be righteous. That's the kind of stuff I hope that gets ingrained with them for the rest of their lives," Shinsato added.

WCCC Education Supervisor Kahaʻe Maikai-Iakopo said, "Each of you have walked a unique path, overcome challenges and demonstrated the kind of commitment and perseverance that inspires us all."

The Culinary Arts' graduates prepared the following delicious dishes and desserts for the graduation luncheon:

• Caprese salad picks
• Green papaya salad
• Grilled cruditè platter
• Panko crusted kim bap sushi
• Cali taco nigiri
• Curry chicken croissant sandwich
• Roasted red bell pepper bisque
• Shirin polo (Persian wedding rice)
• Stuffed pasta shells
• Pineapple pork adobo
• Chicken roulade
• Misoyaki swai and fresh pineapple salsa
• Coffee infused brownies
• Rasberry cheesecake tarts
• Lilikoi panna cotta

Graduation footage and photos, courtesy of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, are available at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1zHXTXktrRHNgmRYkMETBg3nKoHpj8GLh?usp=sharing.

Media Contact:
Rosemarie Bernardo
Public Information Officer
Hawai'i Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Office: 808-587-1358
Cell: 808-683-5507
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://dcr.hawaii.gov