Waianae high schoolers get jumpstart into workforce

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Several Oahu students are getting a first-hand look at what it is like to be part of the work force.

The students obtained summer jobs as part of a new state program, introducing them to a potential future career.

Noeau Designs got some extra help this summer. Two seniors from Nanakuli High School got first hand experience of running a retail store.

“Like working with the customers, doing backstock, counting inventory,” said Jhan’z Kaawa-Kawai, Nanakuli High School senior. “I never knew what that was like before and now I have so much more appreciation into stores like this.”

It is thanks to a partnership between Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, the Department of Education, and the Nanakuli-Waianae complex. This paid internship program matches students with retailers who are relevant to their current career and technical education path.

“Lele, she’s always like making sure everybody in their store is doing their jobs,” Jenna Ku, Nanakuli High School senior.

Lele, is Vaalele Malaki-Torres, owner of Noeau designs who’s also from Nanakuli.

“There’s a lot of negative stigma out there about the west side, and it’s just an opportunity for us to give back and let them know there’s some positive that can come, even if you’re from the west side,” said Vaalee Malaki-Torres, Noeau Designs owner.

“For her, to have her own business and be able to give back to her community, give back to her school, by inspiring her students,” said Evangeline Casinas, DOE’s Nanakuli/Waianae complex academic advisor. “She’s a role model for our students that they can do it too.”

Nanakuli/Waianae Rep. Cedric Gates believes that high schoolers should be prepared with life skills that will help them succeed in society.

“Preparing them with these life skills is what’s gonna give our kids the best opportunities to succeed in this ever-changing environment,” said Rep. Gates (D), Nanakuli/Waianae.

Besides Noeau Designs, students are working at the Koolina resort and Subway this summer. The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii wants to run back the program this fall.

The goal — more students, more stores.

“The more that we can break this wall of understanding that we have a really powerful workforce at the high school level that are really ready to take on these roles on the west side, but also around the state, that’s our goal,” said Lord Ryan Lizardo, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

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Goal has been met. Jhan’z starting her new job at Noeau Designs on Monday.