Across our community, Fellows are doing the hard, hopeful work of helping people build lives and careers right here in Hawaiʻi. In our latest issue of Taking on Tomorrow, we asked several of them to share what workforce development looks like and this is what they had to share.

By: Gabe Amey

What is your organization doing to help create meaningful career pathways that allow people to build a life in Hawaiʻi?

Through ʻOihana Career Explorations, RiseHI films local professionals talking story about their jobs, how they got there, and what it takes to succeed, so students can see real careers that exist here at home. We now have 23 courses, from healthcare to the creative arts, used in 13 middle and high schools across the islands (up from two in 2024). The goal is simple: whether you live in Honolulu, Hanalei, or Hilo, every student should be able to picture a good career in Hawaiʻi and know the first steps to get there.

What have you learned about developing people and talent through your own work?

When we asked those 23 professionals what it takes to succeed in their field, 94% of their answers were about character, not technical skills. Communication, empathy, teamwork, curiosity, and time management came up again and again. That tells us the most important preparation starts early, which is why our Make IT Happen curriculum builds those same skills with middle schoolers through stories from kamaʻāina who have lived them.