HOʻĀKEOLAPONO TRADES ACADEMY AND INSTITUTE RECEIVES $258,700 FROM OHA Kumuwaiwai Naʻauao-Educational Resource Grants.
LIHUE, HAWAII – The Hoʻākeolapono Trades Academy and Institute announced a grant award totaling $258,700 to support the Native Hawaiian community through the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA). The grant will help to reinforce and strengthen Native Hawaiians’ connections to ‘ohana (family), moʻomeheu (culture) and ʻāina (land and water) and support work in OHA’s Mana I Maoli Ola Strategies and Outcomes.
The purpose of the “High School Trades Innovation Program” is to educate Native Hawaiian students in grades 9-12 in the building trades industry to increase the Native Hawaiian graduation rate. Through a combination of classroom instruction and practical construction laboratory experiences, students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue careers in the construction industry upon graduation. Our students receive practical construction laboratory experiences from qualified instructors in the basics of tool safety, roofing, insulation, drywall, plaster, blueprint reading, and team workplace skills. Program construction projects will benefit school campuses and community centers serving Native Hawaiian students and their families.
“Hoakeolapono is excited to work with OHA through our High School Trades Innovation program. 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.“ – Lawaiʻa Naihe, Executive Director Hoʻakeolapono Trades Academy and Institute
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.
About Hoʻakeolapono Trades Academy and Institute
Founded in 2021, Hoʻākeolapono Trades 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. Hoʻakeolapono
participants receive cutting-edge training in various trades and real-world problem-solving strategies that benefit lifelong learners and encourage self-sustainable Hawai’i. Learn more at https://www.hoakeolapono.org/.