Award is first of several that will be presented to the UH Community Colleges
(Honolulu, Hawaiʻi) - Hawthorne Pacific Corp. (HPC) and Caterpillar, Inc. (CAT) recently presented Honolulu Community College (HCC) with $10,000 to support the college’s Diesel Mechanics Technology (DISL) program. At the companies’ request, the gift will go towards scholarships that will assist students in defraying the costs of tuition.
Representatives from the two companies on hand for the presentation included HPC’s CEO Tee Ness, Managing Director Mike Wellman, Director of Product Support Chuck Wallace, and General Service Manager Bobby Whitworth, as well as CAT’s Regional Manager Paul Clark and Henry Quan of the company’s Los Angeles district office. In attendance for HCC were Chancellor Ramsey Pedersen, Executive Assistant Brian Furuto, Dean of Students Sandy Matsui, and Diesel Professor Paul Onomura.
In making the donation to HCC, Wellman stated, "We are taking steps toward strengthening our relationship with Hawaiʻi’s educational programs and look forward to a fruitful partnership...one that provides students with knowledge and experience that prepares them to work on diesel engines in every industry as well as the new technologies that are important to emission reduction."
This donation to HCC is one of many made by HPC in its continued support for diesel mechanics programs, particularly those located in the Pacific region. For many years, Hawthorne has made significant donations to Miramar College in San Diego, and it has plans for making future donations to other Hawaiʻi-based diesel mechanics programs.
# # #
About Hawthorne Pacific Corp.. Hawthorne Pacific Corp, formerly Pacific Machinery, was acquired by Hawthorne Machinery Co. in 2004. This year represents the 50th year of business for the parent company, which is based out of San Diego. Hawthorne Pacific Corp. is an authorized Caterpillar dealer that serves various industries including heavy construction, general construction, quarry and aggregate, paving, agriculture and landscaping, marine, engine power, power generation, waste management and grounds maintenance.
About Honolulu CC’S Diesel Mechanics Technology Program. HCC’s Diesel Mechanics Technology program is designed to provide students with knowledge of heavy duty truck engines and chassis components and to develop the student’s proficiency in the repair and maintenance of heavy equipment. The program’s mission is to serve the community as a learning-centered, open door program that provides technical training to meet the demands of the diesel mechanics industry and the needs of the individual student. An open-exit option allows the students to identify their career objectives and participate in program exploration. Admission to the program occurs every other fall semester. For more information, visit www.honolulu.hawaii.edu.
