The Koʻolau Career Expo connected more than 200 Windward Community College students, alumni and community members with more than 50 Hawaiʻi employers, offering career-track positions starting at $40,000. The gathering on March 31 featured government, healthcare and private industry.

“The event gave me a chance to see the different career options available and think about what might be a good fit for me,” said alumna Cara Souza. “Having many employers in one place makes it easier to explore possibilities and ask questions.”

Dani Springle, a 2019 alumna, added, “The event was very well organized, and it was encouraging to see so many career options available in one place. Seeing multiple state agencies represented helped me better understand additional opportunities for professional growth.”

Multigenerational turnout

The strong multigenerational turnout reflected broad interest in higher paying opportunities, with attendees able to network, participate in on-the-spot interviews, and receive resume support.

“We know the cost of living continues to be a challenge for many families on the windward side, and events like the Koʻolau Career Expo are one way we can help connect people with career opportunities,” said Haʻa Pagan, career and transfer counselor and organizer. “Sometimes one conversation at an event like this can open the door to a future someone never thought possible.”

Chancellor Ardis Eschenberg added, “It expands opportunities for the Koʻolau within the Koʻolau, helping to grow the waiwai (wealth) of our region by connecting people with career pathways that support long-term success.”

Employers appreciated the direct contact with job seekers.

“Connecting with local candidates is especially important to us, as many of our positions serve communities on the windward side,” said Stephanie Shiroma, a talent acquisition consultant with Kamehameha Schools. “Events like the Koʻolau Career Expo help us meet individuals who are interested in building careers close to home while contributing to the communities they live in.”

Pete Castalay of Northwestern Mutual Hawaiʻi added, “Events like this provide a space for meaningful conversations about professional growth.”

More information about career resources is available at the .

Kauaʻi Community College hosted its first career fair in more than a decade on April 2, with more than 160 students attending. The event highlighted a strong interest in career development and community connection, featuring a curated group of employers from diverse Kauaʻi industries. Faculty connected students directly with industry professionals, and on-the-spot interviews were conducted, offering attendees a variety of full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities.

First-year culinary student Lilianna Afro-Lopez, who hopes to pursue a back-of-house role in the hospitality industry after graduation, appreciated the supportive, on-campus setting.

“There are a couple of hotels needing help here, and it’s good to get this experience,” Afro-Lopez said. “Having a career fair on campus is especially helpful for those who are looking for jobs. There are a lot of options.”

‘It’s about who you know’

Malia Hoʻokano, a distance education student studying business through the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu while working at Kauaʻi CC as a financial aid student employee, said the event offered valuable networking.

“This is a great opportunity for those who don’t have much experience in the workforce, and it’s good to make connections with people in your community,” Hoʻokano said. “When the time comes to enter the workforce, students will have already met some people—and that’s kind of how it is on Kauaʻi. It’s about who you know.”

Career Counselor Melissa Henry noted that the strong turnout underscored the importance of creating more opportunities for students, graduates and the community to build connections with local employers.

“While our primary focus was on student success, it was wonderful to open our doors to the public,” Henry said. “We look forward to inviting even more of our community to join us, extending the [priority access hour for students] and growing this into a successful annual tradition.”

Laughter and a quick shuffle of chairs fill the air as Tracie Okumura steps to the front of a bright classroom, lifting a model heart. “Who can tell me what this is?” she asks, and nearly every hand goes up.

For Okumura, some of the most meaningful moments in her medical school journey at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (JABSOM) happen through its School Health Education Program (SHEP), which sends students into public schools to introduce medicine and teach basic health concepts. For 25 years, the program has reached thousands of students in more than 33 Department of Education middle and high schools across Hawaiʻi.

During a recent visit to Queen’s North Hawaiʻi Community Hospital, Okumura and fellow third-year medical students Quan Lac and Aaron Yamasaki led hands-on activities for students, giving them a closer look at clinical skills—from suturing to ultrasound—and also shared insights on the path to becoming a physician.

“We try to make the sessions very interactive,” Okumura said. “They get the chance to kind of dip their toes into medicine and see what it’s like.”

For many in attendance, it may be the first time they’ve met someone close to their own age pursuing a career in healthcare. SHEP‘s outreach focuses on exposing students to medical careers and opportunities that they may not otherwise have access to.

Building essential physician skills

The program also helps medical students strengthen communication skills.

“I’ve used the skills I developed in SHEP almost daily,” Okumura said. “Whether it’s in the clinic or on the hospital wards, you learn how to take medicine and break it down into something more digestible. As I’m talking, I’m looking at people and thinking, ‘Is what I’m saying clicking, or is it not clicking?’”

By teaching others, students deepen their own understanding. Okumura and her classmates said their experience in SHEP was invaluable.

“We’re going to need doctors one day,” she said. “Programs like this help recruit the best of the best and make sure students know these opportunities exist.”

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At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, Marcy Martinez is helping haumāna (students) find their path long before graduation.

Martinez, director of , has been named the 2026 State Internship School-Based Coordinator of the Year by the Hawaiʻi State Workforce Development Council (WDC). She received the award at the inaugural Hawaiʻi Internship Summit on Oʻahu.

“Our mission is to help our students along their academic journey, connect that experience with their career goals and their career successes, but it has to be defined by them,” said Martinez. “We really want to take students through their journey, freshmen all the way to senior, and not just have it be a last-minute knee-jerk reaction in senior year.”

Martinez leads ����Vlog�ٷ� �ᾱ����’s , where the focus is simple, meet haumāna where they are.

“Marcy is enthusiastic. She’s entirely student-based,” said Christine Beaule, director of ����Vlog�ٷ� System Workforce Development, who nominated Martinez for the award. “She works incredibly hard, and every time I have asked her to partner with me on a variety of initiatives, she is the first one to say, ‘Yes!’”

Skills that last

Her team connects students with jobs, internships and hands-on learning. The goal is to build skills that last.

“Through practical experience and opportunities, students will gain knowledge and the ability to identify transferable skills,” Martinez said. “As career agility is becoming even more important in today’s world, it is required to have the ability to adapt quickly.”

That approach is making an impact statewide.

“What we’re really trying to achieve is to have our next generation live in Hawaiʻi that they can enjoy, they can learn, they can work, they can thrive, and they can belong to,” said Bennette Misalucha, executive director of WDC for Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

Confidence, balance

Haumāna at ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo see it firsthand.

Pohaku Roby, a senior majoring in , works at the center and expressed the experience has helped build both confidence and balance.

“I didn’t know that I was able to do public speaking and do class presentations with Marcy, but she helped me find that passion, and I enjoyed it,” said Roby.

For Martinez, the work continues one student, one step at a time.

For more go to .

What began as a weeklong summer experience at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s (JABSOM) turned into something much bigger for Hawaii Baptist Academy student Callie Kawaguchi.

After attending JABSOM’s last summer, an immersive introduction to medical school, Kawaguchi helped organize the Convention for Future Medical Leaders, held February 28, at Hawaii Baptist Academy. The event brought nearly 100 high school students from across Hawaiʻi together to .

First medical school experience

“They really catered to making sure that we learned about med school,” Kawaguchi said of her MDT experience. “No one had ever told me what it really was about. I found learning about medical school valuable.”

The weeklong MDT program introduces high school students to problem-based learning, anatomy demonstrations, clinical skills labs, simulated patient encounters and computerized manikin simulations. Participants learn to recognize symptoms of illnesses common in Hawaiʻi and practice basic clinical skills such as taking vital signs, listening to heart and lung sounds and interviewing patients.

“I was really curious,” Kawaguchi said. “And I think I really got what they were talking about.”

Inspiring future healthcare leaders

Inspired by the experience, Kawaguchi created the Convention for Future Medical Leaders to help other students learn about the medical field.

The goal of the MDT program is to inspire an interest in learning about healthcare.
—Damon Sakai

“There have been career days just for your own high school,” she said. “But I wanted a convention just for medical stuff and for high schoolers around the island.”

JABSOM faculty, staff and students participated in the event, including MDT Director Damon Sakai, who spoke about the importance of early exposure to health careers.

“The goal of the MDT program is to inspire an interest in learning about healthcare,” Sakai said. “Hawaiʻi continues to face a significant healthcare workforce shortage, so early exposure programs like MDT are increasingly important.”

Registration for summer program

Registration for the opens on March 23. The program runs July 6–10, at JABSOM in Kakaʻako and is open to high school students in grades 10–12 who are at least 16 years old.

“There’s currently a medical worker shortage in Hawaiʻi,” Kawaguchi said. “And I wanted other people to get a little closer to what they want to do in the future.”

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With Hawaiʻi facing a critical shortage of public health professionals, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s is strengthening the public health workforce pathway—starting in high school classrooms.

Lightbulbs go off when participants realize how much public health shapes their daily lives.
—Yuka Polovina

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (DOE) offers a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health Services pathway that includes a focus in public health, but only five schools statewide currently offer it. Limited awareness of public health careers among students—and limited familiarity with foundational public health concepts among teachers—have slowed expansion.

To help address this gap and increase the number of schools offering the pathway, Yuka Polovina, a faculty member in the (DPHS) at the Thompson school, developed “” (PH101-CTE). The workshop builds awareness of public health careers and equips educators with foundational concepts and classroom strategies, showing how public health principles can be integrated into lessons, activities and assessments.

“When I meet students who are interested in health fields, more often than not they say it’s because they want to help their communities,” said Polovina, who also serves as a workshop instructor. “It then surprises me when they say they want to become a nurse or doctor. Few know that public health is another powerful way to make an impact, and once students learn about it, they get excited.”

Real-world learning in action

The first PH 101 training, held in October 2025, brought together Windward District teachers in health services and agriculture pathways. Organized by Windward District CTE Resource Teacher Trisha Kim, the workshop highlighted connections between sustainability, food systems and public health.

“This is the best form of teacher professional development,” said Kim. “We are grateful for our partnership and the positive impact for our Windward District students.”

The day included a session at Kailua High School, facilitated by Polovina, and a site visit to the . The visit was led by Jane Chung-Do, acting chair of DPHS, along with Ilima Ho-Lastimoa and Ted Radovich from the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR). Participants learned about the , offering a hands-on and place-based example of public health in practice.

“Lightbulbs go off when participants realize how much public health shapes their daily lives––from the clean air we breathe to the simple fact that we don’t have to boil water before drinking it,” said Polovina. “They immediately see how their students will connect to it too.”

The PH 101 training is open to DOE CTE teachers statewide, with another session tentatively planned for this spring. Teachers interested in participating can request a workshop by emailing hiphwork@hawaii.edu.

This initiative builds on efforts from the and is supported through collaboration with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant.

More than 200 high school students from a dozen public schools on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Maui gathered at in November, for the third annual “Dive Into Education” event, designed to nurture students’ interest in becoming Hawaiʻi’s next generation of teachers.

From the moment students arrived, the energy was palpable. Many quickly found themselves surrounded by a sense of community and shared purpose.

“My favorite part was being able to connect with people from other schools who are like-minded about education,” said Camille Nino, Pearl City High School student. “It’s comforting when other students are so welcoming and eager to keep a conversation going.”

Future changemakers

Hosted in Leeward CC’s ʻImi ‘ʻIke (Education Building) and sponsored by the Hawaiʻi Education Association (HEA), the event featured a college and career fair, guided tours of Leeward CC’s Children’s Center for students interested in early childhood education, and a Tech Slam showcasing high-impact digital tools for teaching. It also offered breakout sessions on topics from teacher salaries to career opportunities within the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the life-changing influence of teachers, recalling her own elementary teachers who stayed after school to help her learn English. HEA President Joan Kamila Lewis also encouraged students to see themselves as future changemakers.

Real experiences

Pearl City High School student Jessa Castillo said, “I was inspired by the guest speakers because they shared real experiences, not just general information you might read about online.”

Jeffrey Judd, teacher education professor, added, “It is heartening to see the next generation so deeply interested in what it means to be an effective educator and how they can positively impact their future students’ lives.”

Hawaiʻi Community College’s is the only auto body program in the University of Hawaiʻi Community College system, carrying on a legacy of craftsmanship, innovation and career readiness that began in 1966.

The program, which has graduated almost 1,000 technicians, is helping to sustain Hawaiʻi Island’s transportation trades community, and has experienced a notable rise in women’s enrollment.

“The shop feels like family. We all have fun, we work on cars … but we do work,” said first-year student Aysia Lee. “My favorite part of this class is pretty much the finish-up work. I like to paint and buff the entire car—preparing it for the customer, cleaning it up.”

The comprehensive training covers all aspects of collision repair and refinishing, including welding, air conditioning systems, steering and suspension, brakes, interior work, glass installation and automotive detailing. Another first-year student, Beauden Hancock, said the experience has been invaluable.

“Hawaiʻi CC’s Auto Body program has taught me to be on my feet and prepared for this fast-paced industry that’s always evolving,” Hancock said. “I’ve been in the shop since day one and it’s been a great experience. I’ve always loved working in auto body, I always took shop classes in high school. I’m glad to be here.”

Blending the best of old and new

The program, now led by Associate Professor Garrett Fujioka—a Hawaiʻi CC alumnus—blends the best of “old-school” precision and “new-school” technology. Fujioka and Assistant Professor Colby Koreyasu bring modern industry experience directly to the students.

“[We] both came from the industry, so we bring all the modern technology and methods we use in our own shops directly into the classroom,” Fujioka said. “But we still hold on to the old-school principles—the foundation skills and the attitude—that make a great body technician. Our students come out of here with basic skills that can take them anywhere in the industry—collision repair, insurance estimating, paint supply, or even auto mechanics.”

He noted that most students find local work due to high demand. The instructors also collaborate closely with other transportation programs across the ����Vlog�ٷ� Community College System.

“We might be the only auto body program, but the other campuses—Honolulu CC, Leeward, Kauaʻi, Maui—they all support us. We have camaraderie,” Fujioka said. “We’re lucky to be part of the transportation ʻohana.”

For more go to .

More than 200 high school students of Pacific Islander heritage gathered at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo on October 18, for the annual Pacific Youth Empowerment for Success (PacYES) conference, a day devoted to motivate, inspire, and prepare the teenagers for college and career opportunities while fostering cultural connections within their own communities.

Themed Interweaving Generations, Connecting Skills and Heritage, this year’s event encouraged students to dream big while staying rooted in who they are. From hands-on workshops to cultural ceremonies, PacYES 2025 offered a glimpse of higher education grounded in community.

“We pride ourselves on being one of the most diverse campuses in the country,” ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin said during opening remarks. “Today you will hear about the rich array of opportunities before you. Listen with intention…you have teams of people ready and waiting to help you realize those dreams.”

Special guest Hilda Heine, President of the Marshall Islands, delivered a keynote that mixed in Gen Z slang to challenge students to recognize that leadership and impact often begin with small, intentional steps.

“Big moves start with small moves, no cap!” she told the crowd, encouraging students to take meaningful steps rooted in purpose and culture.

Workshops and resource fair

Workshops throughout the day blended career readiness with cultural grounding. In one session, participants planted coconut and breadfruit saplings on campus under the guidance of ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo alumnus Jermy Uowolo, vice president of Micronesians United—Big Island.

A lively resource fair followed, connecting students with mentors, colleges, and community organizations ready to support their journeys.

Student reflections

The day ended with a student reflection panel and closing remarks from former Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, who has supported PacYES since its start in 2010. Each student wrote their dream on a star and placed it on a banner, symbolizing the Pacific Islander tradition of navigating by the sea and the stars.

—By Neilynn Domnick/PacYes

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo kicked off the new academic year by linking students with career opportunities through an internship fair at the Campus Center Plaza on September 10. Nearly 50 students engaged with 12 local employer exhibitors, making valuable connections designed to launch careers and strengthen Hawaiʻi Island’s workforce.

The event was sponsored by the and emphasized career pathways, networking and professional growth. Students from across ����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo attended to explore openings, meet industry partners, and learn how internships could help them gain workplace experience or transition into full-time employment.

����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo student Pohoku Roby said, “The internship fair offered a variety of internship opportunities for us to explore. It provided valuable networking tools to support our career growth.”

For employers, the event offered a chance to recruit and invest in future professionals.

“It was great to attend the event today. We have opportunities, and we feel like we made some good connections with students,” said Napua Adviento from the Hawaiʻi Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

����Vlog�ٷ� Hilo Career Services Director Marcy Martinez underscored the importance of experiences that broaden students’ perspectives.

“Students should be able to utilize their degree, no matter what field or employment opportunity they pursue,” Martinez said. “They should be able to navigate the world as it changes, use their education, skills and experience, so they can adapt as their careers change. Opportunities like internships and other experiential learning are great ways to learn about interests and opportunities available. Those same events can weed out the ones that are not a good fit for them.”

“Internship fairs offer students a bridge between classroom learning and real-world application, empowering them to explore career paths, build professional relationships, and take confident steps towards their futures,” added Raynell Espaniola, internship and experiential learning coordinator. “By hosting these events on our campus, we make these opportunities more accessible and student-centered, ensuring that every student has the chance to engage directly with potential employers.”

The event reflects ����Vlog�ٷ�’s broader commitment to workforce development, a core pillar of the ����Vlog�ٷ� System’s Strategic Plan.