Five Nurses Graduate in Historic Class

The graduates of the first practical nurse program on Molokai are seen here reciting Florence Nightingale’s Pledge during the pinning ceremony at UHMC Molokai Education Center Saturday morning. Photo by Léo Azambuja

By Léo Azambuja

Five Molokai women became the first graduates of the University of Hawaii Maui College’s Practical Nurse program based on the island. The pinning ceremony brought approximately 100 people to the college’s Education Center in Kaunakakai to congratulate the historic Class of 2025 Saturday morning.

The graduates, Diane Pascual, Harriet Mokiao, Lahilahi Manaba, Lorna Keliipuleole and Summer Jenks-Puaa, held candles while reading Florence Nightingales’ pledge — a traditional oath for nurses — under the guidance of UHMC nursing professor Mary Farmer. 

“Before God and those assembled here, I solemnly pledge to adhere to the code of ethics of the nursing profession,” they all said. “May my life be devoted to service and to the high ideals of the nursing profession.”

During the ceremony, Farmer read out loud remarks written by each of the graduates.

Mokiao thanked God, her family, partner, friends, “lau lau supporters,” and an array of businesses that helped her academic journey. But she didn’t forget her dog.

“I need to thank my dog, Ihu Boy, who would keep me up during my late nights of driving home after lab classes while silently listening to all my complaining and making no judgments. I love you Ihu Boy,” she said.

Keliipuleole thanked her husband, Donovan, for giving her his full support and encouragement throughout her journey, and her son, Donovan Jr., for inspiring her in accomplishing her goal.

Manaba thanked all her parents, classmates, instructors, the UH faculty, aunty, friends, children and her partner for making her education possible. She also had a special mahalo for someone else.

“First and foremost, I want to thank the Lord above for everything, from the trials and tribulations to the success that is to come,” she said.

Pascual said she was grateful for the “strong support system” that surrounded her on her path. She thanked her husband, children and rest of her family, as well as the UHMC staff for their support.

“I couldn’t have done this without all of your support,” she said.

Jenks-Puaa thanked her family for standing behind her in times she felt like quitting. 

“They kept me strong, pushed me to never give up, and helped me overcome the worst obstacles life could have given me this year,” she said.

Jenks-Puaa also acknowledged the staff at UHMC for their help and the continuous support and education from the Hospice Maui.

“This journey would have been impossible without their dedication and commitment to me as an individual,” Jenks-Puaa said about the Hospice.

UHMC Molokai Education Center Coordinator Kelley Dudoit said the biggest challenge for Molokai students in accessing their choice of education programs is having to relocate to a different island for their training. 

“So, being able to offer that here, eliminated a lot of barriers for the students,” Dudoit said, adding the students still had to fly to Maui for clinicals, but they did a lot of their labs and coursework on island.

Besides being a benefit to Molokai residents who want to take up nursing, the UHMC nursing program is also a benefit to the island’s population in general.

“Growing our own homegrown healthcare practitioners,” Dudoit said, stabilizes healthcare providers on Molokai, where healthcare agencies fly in professionals and there is always a “revolving door” of professionals. It also gives more workforce development opportunities to local residents, she said.

Visit maui.hawaii.edu/programs/nursing to find out more about the nursing programs.