The result of a two-year effort by more than 150 community college faculty and staff members in Hawaii, this report presents task force recommendations for improving programs leading to the associate degree. The recommendations concern: (1) the maintenance of two associate degrees, an associate in arts and an associate in science; (2) the development of a coherent curriculum in general education, as well as a consistent set of specific competencies for programs offered across the campuses; and (3) the development of policies and procedures for mandatory placement testing and standardized assessment of students' attainment of general education competencies. Section I presents the "Report of the Associate Degree Task Force," including background information on Hawaii's community colleges and a discussion of major issues. Section II contains the "Report of the Task Force for the Development of Degree Competencies for the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, and Other Degrees." The "Report of the Task Force to Explore Other Degree Options" is presented in section III, including a rationale for an associate in general studies degree. Section IV offers the "Report of the Task Force on Student Competency Assessment," including an overview of current competency assessment practices in the state, a discussion of major issues, and recommendations concerning the assessment of incoming students, institutional appraisal, assessment for graduation, and campus trials of assessment materials. Appended to each task force report are the group's appointment letter and relevant data. (AYC)