Big Island news — at a glance — for July 12
Chancellor chosen for Hawaii Community College
Susan Kazama has been named the next Hawaii Community College chancellor, effective July 19.
Kazama has been serving as the interim chancellor at HCC since July 1, 2023.
“Susan Kazama is a home-grown chancellor who is dedicated to serving the diverse communities of the Hawaii Island,” said Erika Lacro, University of Hawaii vice president for community colleges, in a press release. “She brings her broad experience and commitment to the University of Hawaii to the position, and she will continue the work of this past year of reaching out to the local employers to ensure Hawaii Community College is training students for the local workforce needs.”
Kazama began her work in the UH system in 1987, starting as a librarian at UH Maui College and Honolulu Community College. She spent 12 years at UH Manoa’s Hamilton Library before accepting the library director position at Kapiolani Community College in 2001.
She served as interim vice chancellor for academic affairs at Kapiolani Community College and Honolulu Community College until 2021, when she became a program coordinator for continuing education at Kapiolani.
“I am so grateful to have this opportunity to return home and serve the kauhale (group of houses comprising a Hawaiian home) and the community that I grew up in,” Kazama said in the press release. “… I look forward to working with the dedicated faculty, staff, administrators and our community, to continue supporting our students and ensuring everyone who wants to pursue higher education has the opportunity to do so.”
Born and raised in Hilo, Kazama graduated from Waiakea High School and earned a master’s in library science and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UH Manoa.
Police: Ocean View homicide victim died of multiple blows to the head
Police say an autopsy performed this morning on the body of Adam Santos found that the 51-year-old man died due to the trauma of multiple blows to the head.
Investigators say they have no motive for the killing, and no suspects have been identified.
Santos was last seen alive at his Ocean View home on June 22. He was reported missing June 30.
In reponse to an anonymous tip, officers went to a vacant lot adjacent to Santos’ home on July 2 to find a makeshift grave site and unearthed Santos’ remains.
Police are asking for anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and may be eligible to a reward of up to $1,000.
