‘Ready to get back out there’: Kauaʻi Community College student rebuilds her life through carpentry, education

May 18, 2026 - 02:49

Crystal Santos spent years behind bars, but this month she will walk across a stage to accept an associate in science degree in carpentry technology from Kauai Community College. Her journey from incarceration to graduation is a story of determination and second chances.

Santos said she was determined to change her life after her release. She enrolled in the carpentry program, learning skills that range from framing to finish work. The hands-on nature of the trade appealed to her, and she found purpose in building things with her own hands.

"I was ready to get back out there and do something meaningful," Santos said. She described the program as demanding but rewarding, with instructors who pushed her to meet high standards.

Now, as she prepares to graduate, Santos is looking ahead. She hopes to find work in the construction industry on Kauai, where skilled carpenters are in demand. More than that, she wants to show her family that people can change.

Her degree represents more than technical knowledge. It is proof that she can build a stable future, one project at a time. Santos plans to continue her education and eventually start her own business.

For now, she is focused on the ceremony and the new chapter it begins. "I want my kids to see that you can fall down and get back up," she said. "This degree is just the start."