Job, Career Fair Focuses On Leeward Cultivation

City News…Councilwoman Kymberly Pine

If you are one of the thousands who spend hours commuting in traffic every day, just imagine how your life would change if you could spend those hours with your family, doing things like playing with your keiki in the park and watching the sunset. Imagine being able to work closer to home in a career that you enjoy. Did you know that there are now 63,000 jobs on the Leeward coast, one for just about every adult household member on the Leeward side?

The opportunity to make the change is before you at the third annual Hire Leeward Job and Career Fair, taking place March 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the University of Hawaii at West Oahu campus.

The Job and Career Fair is a key component of the Hire Leeward initiative’s goal of connecting Leeward residents with Leeward jobs. More than 3,000 job seekers attended the fair last year, and this year’s fair will feature more than 70 employers. Businesses and organizations are offering many opportunities from a wide range of industries, including health care, food service, hospitality, retail, military and administration, as well as trade apprenticeships.

Participants in last year’s job and career fair get connected with local businesses. Photo from Councilwoman Pine’s office.

The Hire Leeward initiative is a five-year campaign with the following goals:

• encourage Leeward residents to seek Leeward jobs;

• reduce traffic congestion to and from town;

• encourage better coordination with Leeward employers and job seekers;

• encourage Leeward residents to buy from Leeward companies;

• hold job training events; and

• improve the quality of life of Leeward residents.

The fair will feature free career development and business seminars with guest speakers presenting topics such as how to start a small business, prepare for an interview, networking, business building techniques and more. Volunteers also will be available to provide résumé reviews and one-on-one job coaching. For more information on the third annual Leeward Job and Career Fair, please visit hireleeward.com.

City Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine serves District 1 (Ewa to Makua). You can reach her by phone at 768-5001, via email at kmpine@honolulu.gov, or online by visiting councilmemberpine.com.