Molokai Students Sponsored for Workforce Readiness

ClimbHI News Release 

Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI announces the donation of nearly $18,500 by businesses and organizations throughout Maui County this year, sponsoring 233 students in grades 9-12 on Maui, Lanai and Molokai so they can earn ClimbHI Service Excellence Certificates.

The Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau recently donated funding to sponsor 120 students participating in the program at King Kekaulike High School, in addition to sponsorships for the school by the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort and Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui.

Other Maui County donations include sponsorships by the Maui Hotel and Lodging Association for students at Molokai High and Middle School; The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua, for students at Lahainaluna High School and Lanai High and Elementary School; and the Four Seasons Resort Maui for students at Maui High School.

“We are pleased to support this groundbreaking effort to provide enhanced hospitality education for students across Maui County,” said Sherry Duong, executive director of the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Having students complete high school with valuable training in hand is a win-win for our schools, businesses and communities.”

The Service Excellence Certificate, which is part of the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, has reached nearly 2,000 students in high schools statewide since its founding three years ago.

More than 445 Hawaii students have been sponsored at a cost of $79 per student this year, with Maui County making up more than half of the total.

Launched in January 2020 by ClimbHI with funding from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the Service Excellence Certificate helps graduates be more workforce ready. Businesses and organizations have generously sponsored certificates so students can enroll and complete the program with no additional cost. Student training is provided across nine modules, which can be completed remotely. The curriculum was exclusively developed in partnership with the School of Hotel Administration at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, one of the leading hospitality administration programs in the world. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Service Excellence Certificate of Achievement from Cornell University and ClimbHI. Courses cover skills development, managing customer interactions, and Aloha Spirit Law as outlined in the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

For additional information on the Service Excellence Certificate program, or to sponsor student certificates, email info@ClimbHI.org.