HO'ĀKEOLAPONO TRADES ACADEMY AND INSTITUTE RECEIVES $400,000 FROM OHA
LIHU’E, HAWAII – The Ho’ākeolapono Trades Academy and Institute announced a grant award totaling $400,000 to support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Economic Stability Grants. The grant will help to reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians’ ‘ohana (family), mo’omeheu (culture), and ‘āina (land and water).
With a $400,000 OHA grant award, Ho’ākeolapono Trades Academy and Institute will launch the Building through Innovation program aimed to improve the Native Hawaiian employment rate on Kaua’i by offering trades and vocational skills by highly qualified professionals, improving individuals real-world experience in the trades industry, and preparing individuals for job placement in Hawaii. Four 12-week courses per year for two years will prepare one for a career in the building trades through a combination of classroom theory and hands-on experience. Our paid internships afford one with experience using hand tools, portable power tools, heavy machinery, blueprint reading, math, and other general construction equipment. Participants also receive computer literacy, OSHA-10 certifications, and job placement in a trades field. In addition to increasing employment opportunities, the training project aims to build 4 homes for Native Hawaiian Families.
“Ho’ākeolapono is excited to work with OHA through our workforce development project. This funding will strengthen our presence in the Native Hawaiian Community and partners. Over the last two years, we have served over 200 Native Hawaiian individuals, community members, and organizations.”
The purpose of the Economic Stability Award is to serve the Native Hawaiian lāhui in alignment with the strategic foundations, directions, and outcomes of 15-year Mana I Mauli Ola Strategic Plan.
Founded in 2021, Ho’ākeolapono Traces Academy and Institute programs are designed to increase employment and advancement opportunities by providing young adults with crucial knowledge and multidisciplinary, 21st-century trade skills. Ho’ākeolapono participants receive cutting-edge training in various trades and real-world problem-solving strategies that benefit lifelong learners and encourage self-sustainable Hawaii.