Maui Community College automotive technology professor recognized for outstanding service to vocational education

University of Hawaiʻi
Contact:
Mia Noguchi, (808) 956-9095
Arlene Abiang, (808) 956-5637
External Affairs & University Relations
Posted: Jun 2, 2006


The University of Hawaii has selected Thomas Hussey, associate professor of automotive technology at Maui Community College, as the recipient of the 2006 Masaki and Momoe Kunimoto Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution to Vocational Education.

The Kunimoto award recognizes a faculty member or student from one of the UH community colleges for their achievement and contribution to vocational and technical education. The award was established by Tadashi and Elizabeth Nakaeda Kunimoto to honor their parents‘ role in the development of the food industry in Hawaiʻi.

Hussey is honored for his commitment to garnering community support for the automotive technology program at Maui CC. As the automotive technology program coordinator at Maui CC, he initiated outreach efforts to both private and public schools in Maui County that allowed students interested in the automotive field access to his program. He has also created relationships with community auto dealerships, businesses and other automotive-related companies to establish a network of support for the program.

To better prepare his students in their chosen field, Hussey reworked his curriculum to meet the requirements for certification from the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF).

Hussey serves on the advisory committee for the Maui CC Cooperative Education Program and for the Consumer Affairs of Automotive Complaints where he gives advice on automotive procedures for repairs and costs of repairs.

Hussey will be recognized for his contributions to the university along with other UH award recipients at a system-wide ceremony in September.