LIHUE — Elliot Lucas of the Kauai Film Academy said they were not only promoting the trailer release of their upcoming film — made on Kauai! — they were looking for people looking to make films Saturday during the Career Expo co-sponsored by The Garden Island at Kukui Grove Center.
“It’s not just about people wanting to be in the movies,” Lucas said of the trailer release the Kauai Film Academy will host in December. “We want to build a cinematography industry here. We need people who have a desire to make movies.”
The Kauai Film Academy was one of nearly two dozen employers spread out over the mall offering employment opportunities from all parts of the island.
Jean Souza, Kauai programs manager for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, was one of the new faces of people seeking greeters (volunteers who are willing to learn about the ocean world) for the first Ocean Discovery Center that is scheduled to open in Kukui Grove in January.
“What do you think about ‘docents?’” Souza asked. “One of our volunteers said that word might intimidate some of the more elderly people who would consider this opportunity. He suggested we use ‘greeters’ instead of ‘docent’ so people don’t feel like it is something beyond their expectations. It is a volunteer position, but there is a lot to learn.”
Souza was one of those employers seeking to make the job-hunting process more user-friendly.
“We don’t have the purple dresses anymore,” said Jeanne Coloma of Maui Divers Jewelery that operates two locations on Kauai — two shops at the Anchor Cove Shopping Village, and a concession within Hilo Hattie. “It used to be that was our dress requirement, but that’s no more. We’re more in line with the current trends.”
Others enticed the Saturday crowd of mall shoppers with growth potential.
“We have some exciting things that will take place with Hawaiian Airlines,” said Rose Nauta, the airline’s Kauai station manager. “We just got through with the dedication of our new Lihue customer service counters and kiosks that make traveling easier and more convenient. There are more things to come.”
Foodland stores and the Sullivan Corporation of stores added to that enticement with their employment opportunities.
“We’re still celebrating the opening of our Kilauea store — the Kilauea Market and Cafe — that opened to the public Thursday,” said Raynel Lloyd, assistant manager for the Foodland store at Princeville Shopping Center, who was joined by Ishihara Market personnel in offering samples of Makai Brand dried fruits. “That celebration will continue for a few more days. But we’re looking for a manager for our Princeville store.”
7-Eleven also has management positions to fill, and its representative told of job responsibilities from beyond their in-store interviews. Ross Dress For Less took a table for the first time at the expo.
“I think we have a good candidate,” said Cherie Cabading of Times Supermarket/Big Save, who is seeking to fill more than 30 positions, including nine new hires for the renovations of its Lihue Times store that will include expanded food service. “We’ve had a pretty good crowd of people passing through, and hopefully, this candidate will work out.”
Among the crowd, Adela Manera of the American Job Center was looking at everything taking place.
“Don’t forget us,” she said. “We have the Kauai Job Fair 2019 coming up Oct. 9 at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall from 9 a.m. to noon. It is free.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
