HTIC’s Annual Alumni “Pau Hana” gathering took place on November 28, 2007 in the 19th floor reception hall. Faculty and staff joined the returning alumni, including two mothers accompanied by their children—Ms Lydia Shepherd, who currently works at HTIC as a staff member in the International Programs office and Ms Yuki Shoji, who completed her Associate in Arts degree in 2000 and her baccalaureate degree from the University of Hawaii in 2003. Most of the other alumni in attendance at the Pau Hana are currently completing their studies at the University of Hawaii and elsewhere in Hawaii, or are successfully employed in Honolulu. It was rewarding to learn of their many successes.

Ms Birgit Neldner, another HTIC alumna from Europe, missed the Nov. 28th Pau Hana but stopped by HTIC later in that week to catch up with classmates, faculty and staff. Birgit, who is from Germany, completed her Associate in Arts degree at HTIC before transferring to Arizona State University where she earned a bachelor's degree in travel industry management. After graduating from Arizona State, Birgit returned to Hawaii to do an internship at the Kahala Mandarin Hotel. Birgit now lives in Germany and is employed as a travel agent. She tries to return to Hawaii each fall. This year she ran the 10K portion of the Honolulu Marathon and tells us she plans to return next year to complete the entire run!

HTIC invites its alumni to send periodic updates and news about education, employment, and family. Many HTIC graduates live overseas making return visits difficult, but the College welcomes returning alumni and/or updates from alumni at any time during the year.