Nearly 2,000 high school freshmen explored career opportunities among about 50 businesses as part of the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce’s 5th annual West O‘ahu Student Career Expo. The event was held in partnership with Kamehameha Schools, the Hawai‘i state Department of Education, and the University of Hawai‘i–West O‘ahu, which hosted the expo on Oct. 24 and 25 at the Great Lawn on campus.
Students from seven West O‘ahu-area schools engaged with industry leaders and professionals — across healthcare, energy, agriculture, trades, and more — and had the opportunity to interview them to discover fields of interest and potential career fits.
On Oct. 24, freshmen from DreamHouse ‘Ewa Beach Charter School, Island Pacific Academy, Kamaile Academy, Kapolei Charter School, and Wai‘anae High School attended the expo; freshmen from James Campbell and Kapolei high schools attended on Oct. 25.
“The Career Expo is more than a networking event — it’s a crucial step toward strengthening the talent pipeline in our community,” Kapolei Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and CEO Kiran Polk said in a press release. “We’re bringing businesses and students together to spark inspiration and real conversations about what lies ahead in each career field. Events like this directly support students in envisioning their future careers.”
Sean Tajima, Complex Area Superintendent of the Campbell-Kapolei Area Complex with the state Department of Education, said the Career Expo was “a win-win” for both students and for participating industry partners.
“This is an awesome event,” Tajima said. … “Hopefully, we can make connections and our students can enter the workforce and support industries especially out here in the Campbell-Kapolei (area).”
UH West O‘ahu Chancellor Maenette Benham added that it was important to welcome the participating freshmen to campus.
“Many of our students are coming from homes that may not have the option or the thought that college is a place for them, and so coming to our campus first and foremost, provides them with the opportunity to see that this place can be their home after they graduate from high school,” Benham said, … “that this can be a part of their educational journey and their career journey as well.”
Originally launched by the Kapolei Chamber in 2018, the West O‘ahu Student Career Expo was the first of its kind in the state. Part of the Chamber’s “West O‘ahu Works” Education and Workforce Development initiative, the expo reflects the Chamber’s dedication to preparing students for higher education and creating a 21st-century workforce. Through this initiative, the Chamber serves as a vital “Career Hub” for West O‘ahu, working in close collaboration with educators, employers, and job training programs to provide students with meaningful mentoring, internship, and employment opportunities.