More Than 60 Students Participate in ClimbHI Career Event

ClimbHI, a Hawaiʻi nonprofit founded in 2009 to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondary education or employment, conducted a Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration program April 26-27 at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in West Hawaiʻi.

More than 60 high school and college students participated in the free overnight program, which featured activities that included fast-paced contests and leadership skill building with presentations, where students learned about various careers from participating businesses and leaders.

“We were so pleased to provide in-person learning opportunities again for our LEI program participants in celebration of our 10th year of LEI events,” ClimbHI President Julie Morikawa said in a press release. “LEI helps these students better understand the breadth of careers available in the hospitality industry and beyond.”

Participating students learned about customer service, the job application and interview process and more. They networked with local business professionals, participated in a luau and overnight stay at the resort and Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth also met with attendees.

“The visitor industry offered me many opportunities to learn and explore, to meet people from around the world and to build my skills under the mentorship of amazing leaders,” John De Fries, president and CEO of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, said in the press release. “It led to my role today, where I get to work with amazing people to Mālama Kuʻu Home — care for the home we all love. The LEI program is an important partner for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as we introduce the next generation of kamaʻāina leaders to the opportunities that await them in Hawaiʻi’s hospitality industry.”

To learn more about ClimbHI and all of the programs it offers, click here. To learn more about the LEI program, click here.