This strategic plan was prepared to provide an overall direction for, and to enhance the quality and credibility of community colleges for the decade 1997-2007. Hawaii's community colleges are administered under the University of Hawaii system. The basic mission of the community colleges is to provide accessible postsecondary education to all citizens 18 years or older, teach both liberal arts and sciences courses as well as specialized technical and vocational education, customize employment training and contribute to the cultural and intellectual life of the community. External issues addressed in the plan are changing demographic trends due to the increasing number of ethnically diverse students, and women who are entering the work place. Also addressed are how the community colleges plan to meet the changing nature and distribution of work as employment shifts to the service sector. Like mainland institutions, the University of Hawaii system and its community colleges face a decline in public resources allocated to higher education, and must also meet the challenges of public expectations regarding distance education and how education should be delivered. The plan includes an analysis of external, operational, and program efficiency issues for each of its community colleges. Specific information on how each community college is meeting strategic goals is included. (AF)