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Step 2: Getting Ready for the Ceremony

Order Cap and Gown

Order online or pick up in-store. The is coordinating the distribution of caps, gowns, and tassels. The bookstore is located on the first floor of Building 2. The complete package cost for cap, gown, and tassel is approximately $57.95. Caps and gowns are black and sold by height. Sizes are limited. Tassels are teal and available for individual purchase. Ensure that your gown is ironed and/or crease free for the Graduation ceremony. You may wear a black graduation gown that you already own. Graduates without gowns will NOT be able to participate in this event. Also, plan ahead with enough bobby pins to secure your caps as necessary. The attire worn under the gown should be fitting of the formality of the ceremony. We recommend comfortable, closed-toe shoes.

Cap and Gown Loans & Donations

If you are experiencing financial hardship, you may borrow a donated gown; please send an email to Student Life at hccsld@hawaii.edu to explain your situation. All requests will be evaluated and we will let you know the outcome. Last day to request a doner gown to be mailed is May 1 at Noon. Last day to pick up in person is Wednesday, May 13 at 3:00 pm.

Decorate Cap

Over the past years, some students have really enjoyed decorating their graduation cap to reflect their pride in their major and/or campus. These designs have been flat or 3-D and made from a variety of materials. This year, we will be awarding prizes to those students who best exemplify resilience or their major (Liberal Arts students may use a future major or career). For example, Sheet Metal could have a metal piece on their cap, a replica of an item they have built, a picture that represents the trade or union. The possibilities are endless. All caps must be recognizable as graduation caps and wearable for the ceremony.

Regulations:

• One cap may be submitted for each graduate with their own original work.
• Decorations are not to exceed 6 inches high, and the dimensions of the cap.
• Please be mindful of the weight.
• Students wishing to compete must submit their cap as soon as they arrive.

Honor Cords and Stoles

Students who have earned at least 24 credits at Honolulu Community College and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or better as of FALL 2025 will be acknowledged in the program and at the ceremony as ¡°with honors.¡± Those students will be awarded a gold honor cord on site only. Graduating Veterans and military family members will be acknowledged with a red, white and blue cord. You must attend the event to receive your honor and/or VA cord on site only.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, CSO Student Leaders and Kulana Hawai¡¯i participants must contact their advisors well in advance to arrange the appropriate ceremony regalia.

Accommodations

Requests for a disability/ADA accommodations may be made by emailing accesshcc-l@lists.hawaii.edu or by calling (808) 845-9272 V/T. Two weeks advance notice requested. Guests using wheelchairs should contact the ushers upon arrival at the Waikiki Shell for seating suggestions.

Photos and Videos

The audience may take photographs and videos from their seats only. The will take individual photographs of students as they are recognized on stage. The photographer will send you free digital proofs after the commencement, and you may order additional photographs at that time.

If you do not wish to have your email address forwarded to the photographer, so that he can send the proofs to you, please submit your request in writing by May 1, 2026. Email hongrads@hawaii.edu if you don¡¯t want your email address shared with .

For more information on ordering photographs, call 808-499-2400 or visit . Honolulu Community College will take photos and videos of the ceremony to capture the history, pride, and appreciation students have of Honolulu Community College. We may interview graduates about the journey from the first day of class to graduation. We encourage everyone to participate in sharing memories.

Graduation Speaker Auditions

Graduating students interested in giving the Student Address must:

• Be a current HCC Graduation candidate
• Have a 3.0 minimum GPA.
• Have the ability to represent the class.
• Be comfortable speaking in front of a large crowd.
• Prepare a short speech (under 5 minutes) that reflects on your Honolulu CC experience and/or the theme.
• Three important elements are to be considered in the commencement speech: Content, Style, and Delivery.

Auditions will be held in Student Life and Development office Building 2, Room 113 on Thursday, April 2nd, 2026 at 3:00 in the afternoon. If you need other arrangements, please contact us ASAP by emailing hccsld@hawaii.edu.

• The speech should be original and organized in a logical way.
• The speaker is given a wide latitude in the ideas expressed. However, must bear in mind that the content should be RELEVANT to all graduates. Thus the content should not be too personal. In essence, it should be in the tradition of salutatory (welcome) and valedictory (farewell) address.
• Delivery should project mastery of the usual mechanics of speech-poise, vocal variety, fluency, bodily expressiveness, and sincerity. No particular style of delivery is set as the correct one to which all students must conform. Students are free to choose or develop whatever style will best give them overall effectiveness with their particular content.

If selected, the speaker must be able and willing to meet with the Speech Instructor for technical editing and coaching.

Sign up using the

Graduation Anthem Singer Auditions

You are invited to sign up to audition for the role of singing the National Anthem and/or Hawai?i Pono?i a cappella at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony on the evening of Friday, May 15th. 

• Be a currently enrolled Honolulu Community College student or graduating in the Spring 2026 ceremony.
• Individuals and groups allowed to audition.
• Student(s) must be in good standing to represent Honolulu Community College.
• Be able to perform in front of a large, live audience.
• Be able to sing the National Anthem and/or Hawai?i Pono?i a cappella.

Auditions will be held in Student Life and Development. Check in at the Student Life & Development Office Building 2, Room 113. on Thursday, April 2 at 2:30 in the afternoon. If you need other arrangements, please contact us ASAP.

If selected, you must be able and willing to meet with a committee representative for preparation.

Sign up using the

Step 3: Invite Your Family and Friends

Time: Gates open at 5:15 PM. Ceremony start at 6:00 PM

Location: Waik¨©k¨© Shell (No Tickets Required)

The gates to the Waikiki Shell will open to family, friends, and guests at 5:15 pm When guests arrive, graduates will already be lining up in preparation for the procession. Family should not expect to see graduates in the Waikiki Shell before the ceremony. Guests should take their seats and greet their graduates after the ceremony. The procession will begin promptly at 6:00 pm Late guests may be refrained from seating until a break in the graduation program.

As is our tradition, this year¡¯s ceremony will be held at the Waikiki Shell () in Kap¡®iolani Park, between Waikiki and Diamond Head in Honolulu, with the world-famous Diamond Head Crater for a backdrop. The Waikiki Shell is a spectacular location for us to celebrate the achievements of our graduates. The venue seats 2,400 with an additional 6,000 in the lawn area. Seating is first come, first serve, with reserved sections only for graduates, faculty, and college-affiliated personnel.

Parking at and near Waikiki Shell is limited. Special parking will NOT be available. Plan enough time for travel and parking or car pool to allow getting to Waikiki early or staying after to enjoy the park and beach to avoid the high traffic flow times.

After the event there will be large signs posted on the perimeter of the grounds. Graduates meet friends and family at the sign that corresponds to the graduates¡¯ major. It is best to decide before the ceremony is you are designating an alternate meeting place.

Step 4: Day of the Ceremony

Graduate Rehearsal: 3:30 PM

Graduates, arrive at the Waikiki Shell by 3:30 pm, Friday, May 15 for a short rehearsal so that all graduates are familiar with the process of the actual ceremony.

The front gate will open to graduates only approximately at 3:00 pm.

Plan extra time for travel and parking since traffic is expected.

Bring and/or come wearing your cap and gown.

No guests or children allowed at rehearsal.

We recommend that if you must bring a handbag, that it be one that fits neatly under your gown. There are no places to leave or store bulky belongings. Re-entry will not be allowed.

Light snacks and refreshments provided by your student leaders. A photo zone to take pics with you own camera will be available.

Code of Conduct

This is an alcohol-free event. We ask that all graduates and guests respect the importance of this occasion by cooperating with Honolulu Community College and the graduation rules of the Waikiki Shell. This is an official event, and the college withholds the right to apply appropriate sanctions to anyone violating the standards of respect and courtesy specified in the EP 7.208 Systemwide Student Conduct Code. For the safety and security of all guests and graduates, please follow the instructions of the college, venue, and security personnel before, during and after commencement. As a reminder, please follow the rules as they pertain to graduation at the Waikiki Shell. All packages, gifts, lei, posters, etc. must fit on your lap or under the seat. No aisles can be obstructed. All packages are subject to search. Large bags may be denied entry if they won¡¯t fit or contain unsuitable items.

• No outside food or beverages including water bottles (water will be provided to graduates)
• No tailgating/picnicking in the parking areas, grass areas or on walkways
• All children must be accompanied by an adult not participating in the ceremony
• No strollers inside the seating areas ¨C strollers must be checked with the usher staff
• No sticks or rods ¨C posters cannot be mounted
• No chairs
• No tripods in aisles
• No drones
• No laser pointers
• No noise-makers or air horns
• No silly string, confetti or confetti cannons
• No aisles can be obstructed

Step 5: After the Ceremony

Lei and Leaving the Waik¨©k¨© Shell

The length of the ceremony depends on the number of attending graduates. Usually the ceremony ends about one and a half hours after it begins. If you are planning to come only for lei giving, it is suggested to arrive by 7:00 pm to go through security and find the designated gathering area. If you are making plans afterwards, keep in mind that lei giving and exiting can last a long time. Be sure to budget ample time for your graduate to be greeted by their fellow graduates, faculty, friends and family. Depending on where you park, there may also be delays in exiting the parking areas.

Gown Donation

To assist future graduates who may find it hard to afford a cap and/or gown, we will be collecting donations of used gowns after the ceremony. If you have no plans to re-use your cap and/ or gown, please leave it in the donation box at the exit of the event or bring it to the Student Life and Development office anytime thereafter. If you have any questions feel free to email hccsld@hawaii.edu.

Directions to return your gown to Student Life & Development:

View Parking Map (PDF)

Diplomas

Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on the student¡¯s graduation application. Because semester records will not be available by commencement, the conferring of degrees at the ceremony is provisional, pending verification that degree requirements have been met. For further information, call (808) 845-9120.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there parking? Where do I park?

There is no special parking for graduates or guests. Free and paid parking is available in the area. Allow time to find parking and walk over to the Waikiki Shell.

What are the school colors?

Teal is the school color. It is often accompanied by silver, white, or black.

I¡¯m graduating with honors. Where do I get my honor cord?

You must attend the event to get your honor cord. They are ceremonial and therefore only gifted to those who attend the ceremony. Your printed diploma and the event program will indicate if you have honors.

I already have a black gown, can I wear that one?

Yes. Any black gown similar to the ones for sale at the bookstore is allowed. You can contact the about buying the appropriate tassel for your cap.