Dirk Soma

A View from the College
April 2, 2019

Dirk Soma
B.B.A., M.P.S.
Business Education

KCC –Leadership Beyond The Classroom

Over the Spring Break, KCC spearheaded a 10-member delegation to Dunedin, New Zealand.
This education and trade mission was focused on three outcomes. First, following the lead of what the Business Program had established in 2018 with Otago Polytechnic (OP), KCC looked to form articulation agreements within the Accounting, Carpentry, and Automotive Technology Programs. Second, we established connections within the business community to enhance commerce between Kauai and Dunedin. Outcome three was to fulfill our role a servant leaders.

All three of our program faculty had fruitful meetings with their OP colleagues. Carpentry head Duke Lang initiated an articulation agreement between the two schools. Our Automotive Technologies (AT) Program, led by Gordon Talbo, explored online curriculum being used by faculty at OP and made strong connections with an Electronic Vehicle (EV) distributor. These two outcomes will create pathways for our graduates to continue their education and careers beyond our island boundaries.

Kauai Coffee, Ainofea Productions, and the Kauai Small Business Development Center (SBDC) represented the Kauai business community as delegates. Farm Manager Jon Ching was able to tour OP’s Central Otago agriculture programs. Vance Pascua, owner of Ainofea Productions, was overwhelmed by how his brand and clothing line was received. He is exploring partnerships with existing active lifestyle clothing outlets to carry his line of clothing in Dunedin. Our SBDC met with the Otago Chamber of Commerce and KUMA, the South Island Maori Business Network, to discuss the socio-economic challenges and opportunities Kaua‘i has in common with Dunedin. 

Last, our delegation gave back to the community of Karitane by clearing out a Harakeke grove on the Marae grounds and then served 80 guests at a luau on our final night. These two events deepened our relationships with our hosts and allowed us to “aloha” all of the citizens of Aotearoa who were tragically impacted by the Mosque shootings. 

KCC is going beyond our walls to ensure that our institution, and our community, is vibrant and sustainable, while creating bonds and relationships that go well beyond the transactional level. We welcome those that want to be a part of what we are doing to become a conduit for positive advancement.

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