“For someone who flunked the first grade when attending Liholiho Elementary School, Jason Tom, a former KCC student, found the motivation through his time in college to strive for better grades while further exploring his talent for beatboxing. Ultimately accomplishing a place on the dean’s list, membership with Phi Theta Kappa and a 4.0 GPA, Tom reaches out to his students and others in the community, encouraging everyone he speaks with to never give up on your dreams.”

“Jason Tom Amphitheater: Since the Great Lawn on Kapiʻolani Community College’s campus is really just an obstacle you face on the way to class or the library (seldom do I see students cut across the grass), KCC should recreate this space and construct an amphitheater. The sloping lawn is perfectly suited for this construction. The stage could be at the base of the ʻŌhiʻa Cafeteria with rows of seats or benches extending up to the Kokio building. Once it’s complete, the Jason Tom Amphitheater (named after famed musician and KCC alumnus Jason Tom) would attract music groups wide and far. KCC would suddenly rival the Waikīkī Shell and Blaisdell Center for musical performances. Tickets for students would always be free unless a bidding war were to erupt when Bruno Mars schedules his next concert at KCC.”