The main entry road to Hawaii Community College-Palamanui in North Kona is now “Rockne Freitas Way,” named in honor of the late HCC chancellor who played a major role in developing the campus.
The main entry road to Hawaii Community College-Palamanui in North Kona is now “Rockne Freitas Way,” named in honor of the late HCC chancellor who played a major role in developing the campus.
The University of Hawaii Board of Regents approved the naming at the Aug. 17 board meeting. Freitas’ sons, Makai and Makoa, both testified in support of the measure.
“Dad believed in education,” said Makai Freitas at the meeting. “He believed education was a path forward, so the (symbolism) of Rockne Freitas Way resonates a lot for us.”
HCC-Palamanui opened its doors in 2015 after years of planning and construction. The new campus is also home to the University Center, West Hawaii, and created a permanent home for higher education in West Hawaii, which had been one of the most underserved regions of the state.
Freitas died in 2022 and served in many leadership roles at UH, including as HCC chancellor from 2004 to 2010. He was a driving force in securing funding and establishing the partnerships that would allow the HCC-Palamanui campus to be built.
“While at Hawaii Community College, he had a vision on ways to help the youth of West Hawaii and inspired the community to make the campus at Palamanui a reality,” said Interim HCC Chancellor Susan Kazama in her testimony to the BOR. “His legacy is his strong advocacy and advancement of Native Hawaiians and other underserved populations. His impact on our college will always be felt. Naming the entryway after Rockne Freitas is an appropriate honor to preserve his legacy.”
Following his All-Pro career as an NFL lineman, Freitas served in several administrative roles during a 23-year career at the University of Hawaii. He was a pioneer in Native Hawaiian advancement, including as a leader in establishing Hawaii Papa O Ke Ao, a plan for UH to become the model Indigenous-serving higher education institution in the state and the nation.
Hawaii CC plans to host an event later in the semester to celebrate the honorific naming.
