What is the name of your organization?
Hui Huliau Hou
What is the name of your solution?
Puea Learning Center
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Free Technical Education and Job Placement for Native Hawaiians
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Waianae, HI 96792, USA
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
United States
What type of organization is your solution team?
Nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Each year, ~15,000 native Hawaiians leave the state for the mainland, which now has a larger Hawaiian population than Hawaii itself. Hawaii boasts a strong military presence, which has created well-paying civilian jobs in the defense industrial base. Unfortunately, many of those jobs are given to non-residents, with the side affect of higher housing and living expenses for native Hawaiians and other marginalized groups. Additionally, the Department of Defense is poised to spend upwards of $6B USD in Hawaii over the next five years on new construction. If local residents are not trained to complete this work, they will be further marginalized, as the military industrial base will ship in resources from elsewhere, giving these high paying jobs to temporary residents and raising the cost of living for all.
What is your solution?
The Hui Huliau Hou Technical Training Program, led by the Puea Learning Center, provides Native Hawaiians and Waianae residents aged 17 years old and older with free, industry-recognized technical training and certifications to enter the growing workforce in Hawaii’s defense and technology sectors. The program includes a five-step process: application, suitability assessment, prerequisite classes, advanced certification training, and job placement. Students receive foundational knowledge in electrical theory, safety, and circuits, and progress to advanced topics like microcomputer basics, troubleshooting, and renewable energy systems. Certifications, such as the ETA Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), are awarded upon completion. The program leverages hands-on labs, augmented reality, and interactive multimedia learning systems. By focusing on emerging technologies like Facility-Related Control Systems (FRCS) and computer control systems, the training aligns with Hawaii's military and civilian workforce needs. This solution empowers local residents by equipping them with high-demand skills and directly connecting graduates with jobs via partnerships with Hui Huliau’s companies, industry networks, and unions. It preserves Hawaiian culture while addressing economic disparity by fostering local talent for Hawaii's expanding technical workforce.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
The Hui Huliau Hou Technical Training Program targets Native Hawaiians and residents of Waianae aged 17+, a population facing economic and social disadvantages. Many Native Hawaiians are pushed out of their homeland due to high living costs, limited access to well-paying jobs, and cultural erosion. Waianae residents often grapple with economic disparity and fewer opportunities to enter Hawaii's growing defense and technology sectors. This program addresses these challenges by offering free technical training and certifications in high-demand fields, equipping participants with skills that directly align with Hawaii's workforce needs. It prioritizes hands-on learning experiences, from labs to augmented reality, ensuring students build expertise in Facility-Related Control Systems (FRCS) and computer control systems. Graduates receive certifications, like the ETA Associate Certified Electronics Technician (CETa), which open doors to better employment opportunities.
In addition, the program collaborates with partner organizations and industry partners to provide direct job placement services, creating clear pathways to careers in defense, construction, and renewable energy sectors. By doing so, it preserves Hawaiian culture, reduces outmigration, and empowers young individuals to thrive in their communities rather than leaving for better prospects elsewhere. It fosters long-term economic and social equity for underserved populations.
