Members of the state Senate Ways and Means Committee have been holding discussions across Hawaii Island this week to help guide future decisions and budget appropriations during the upcoming legislative session.
One of the senators’ last stops Tuesday was at the American Job Center in Hilo for a presentation about the Hele Imua Internship Program operated by the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations..
In 2021, the state appropriated $5 million to the DLIR for internship opportunities, so residents 16 and older have the chance to gain work experience for future employment.
The purpose of the program is to provide eligible candidates exposure to various high-demand occupations in state government that could transition into gainful employment within Hawaii’s labor market.
“This internship and work experience targets vulnerable communities, and the program allows us to expand the opportunity to all job seekers,” said Maricar Pilotin-Freitas, administrator at DLIR. “It’s a wonderful opportunity, and we want to partner with the (Department of Education) so more high schoolers can have exposure to jobs at a young age.”
The idea behind Hele Imua came from the desire to decrease so-called “brain drain,” which is a phenomenon that occurs when highly qualified individuals leave their home region in search of better career prospects.
“We want to look at certain jobs to see if they really need bachelor’s degrees and if minimum education requirements, like certifications or community college, and more experience would give more people opportunities,” said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz of Oahu. “This is a work in progress, and we will have to pass legislation so internships can be expanded to private sectors. Right now, it’s limited to state jobs.”
Ulili Mossman, 20, is working as an intern at the American Job Center in Hilo and has found a passion in working one-on-one with people through case management.
“When Hele Imua was offered, I jumped and applied. It’s given me the chance to work one on one with the community, with the homeless and veterans,” Mossman said. “It has given me insight on how I want to continue my career in human services, and now I’m interested in working with DLIR and I hope to gain a full-time position one day.”
DLIR is trying to expand awareness about the program and find more job seekers who may be interested in gaining employment experience through internships.
“We want to make sure we create a pipeline for students and job seekers to find gainful employment in Hawaii and reverse our problem with brain drain,” Dela Cruz said. “We have met with DOE and UH-Hilo as well to talk about future pathways and job opportunities consistent with community goals.”
On Tuesday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee also took time to visit Pahoa Elementary for early learning workforce development and Hope Services Hawaii to address the homelessness and housing crises.
The Hawaii Invasive Species Council also met with the committee to discuss efforts in combating invasive species that harm agriculture, and the senators also visited the Palace Theatre to strategize about how to protect and preserve Hawaii’s historic places.
On Wednesday, the committee visited the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center to discuss the recently formed Mauna Kea Stewardship Oversight Authority.
They then traveled to Hilo Medical Center to talk about surgical unit and ICU expansion that will meet future health care needs, and the Hawaii Science and Technology Museum to discuss a strategic plan for aerospace to facilitate regional economic and workforce development.
The committee then traveled north to Kohala for more discussions and presentations and is finishing the tour of the Big Island today in Kailua-Kona.
For more information about Hele Imua, including an application, visit labor.hawaii.gov.wdd.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.