Nearly 200 high school students participate in ClimbHI’s 13th annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration Kaua‘i

More than 180 Kaua‘i high school students on April 22 engaged with industry leaders and participated in activities showcasing opportunities for career development and growth in the hospitality industry and beyond during ClimbHI’s 13th annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration Kaua‘i.

The free program was hosted at Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort in Kōloa.

This year’s event also included an Exposure Fair, offering hand-selected businesses and organizations the ability to present to students in short “speed-dating” style segments.

It was made possible through a partnership between Hawaiʻi workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Hawai‘i Department of Education, as well as local businesses and organizations.

Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration inspires youth to select careers in the Hawaiʻi hospitality industry by providing them with the necessary means to achieve success.

The initiative helps students build relationships with local businesses and organizations throughout middle and high school through ClimbHI Exposure Fairs, Exposureships, the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Work Wise program, Hiring Blitz events as well as connections through the ClimbHI Bridge network.

“[Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration] is one of the key stepping stones from exposure to careers all the way through to the hiring process, allowing students to achieve their dreams and helping local businesses with workforce development,” said ClimbHI President Julie Morikawa.

Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration Kaua‘i followed this year’s 13th annual events on O‘ahu and Maui. Hawai‘i Island students have the opportunity to participate in the annual program April 25 at Waikōloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and April 29 at the Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel in Hilo.

More than 1,100 students and 100 businesses total will participate in the program this year.

Hawai‘i businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate and learn more about Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration events by emailing to info@climbhi.org.

Teachers, businesses, associations and nonprofit organizations also are invited to sign up for the free ClimbHI Bridge online portal for workforce development and classroom engagement opportunities, volunteer hour tracking, communication tools and more.

The portal is used by hundreds of schools and businesses throughout the state. It has reached nearly 300,000 students since being launched in 2021.