A significant portion of the adult population does not have a high school diploma. This includes many students who leave their high school without graduation. Currently, the GED credential can currently only be earned through the Department of Education Adult Schools. While under Hawai'i law, individuals without a GED could enroll in a community college when they reach the age of 18, access to Federal financial aid requires that the individual earn a GED before enrolling. The overarching goal is to develop, in cooperation with the Adult Schools, a system that not only provides the student with a GED but which also prepares them for entry into community college programs.

The enrollment target is to increase the numbers of such GED recipients in the community colleges by 2% per year over the next six years.

This target will be reached through coordinated programs with the Department of Education Adult Schools to align the adult education and GED preparation courses with community college curricula and college readiness. Additionally, the current iCAN model of the UH Community Colleges that incorporates workforce readiness and academic skills for underprepared students will be expanded in conjunction with state workforce readiness programs for GED holders.