LIHU‘E — Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, more than 110 students from Kaua‘i’s high schools, including Ke Kula Aupuhi Ni‘ihau A Kehelelani Aloha, converged at the Royal Sonesta Kaua‘i Resort on Thursday for the first in-person ClimbHI Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration on Kaua‘i since 2019.
The event also marked the first major collective gathering for the Royal Sonesta after large-crowd gatherings being shut down by the pandemic.
“We were so pleased to provide in-person learning opportunities again for our LEI program participants in celebration of our 10th year of LEI events,” said ClimbHI President Julie Morikawa. “LEI helps these students better understand the breadth of careers available in the hospitality industry and beyond.”
The Kaua‘i program that was held during school hours is the third in a series of statewide events, including the LEI O‘ahu, and LEI Maui that were held earlier in the month. Following the Kaua‘i event, ClimbHI will meet on Hawai‘i Island for events on April 26 and 27.
During the day-long event, students were engaged in five major areas of the hospitality industry, including Human Resources sponsored by Enterprise Rent A Car, Customer Service hosted by the Koloa Landing Resort, Food and Beverage, Housekeeping sponsored by the Royal Sonesta, and the value of the hospitality industry in Hawai‘i sponsored by the Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau.
Program vignettes focused on short, informative education bites followed by an “Amazing Race” format interaction where students could grasp the fast-paced area of focus. This format — where even the transfer of stations provided education about being a good visitor — followed for half a day before lunch where Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami provided a motivational talk about the hospitality industry.
Students were then excused to a career fair atmosphere where participating professionals were available to interact with the students and their interests in the travel and hospitality industry.
“The visitor industry offered me many opportunities to learn and explore, to meet people from around the world, and to build my skills under the mentorship of amazing leaders,” said John DeFries, the president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.
DeFries started his career as a tour director in his hometown of Waikiki in the 1970s.
“This led to my role today where I get to work with amazing people to Malama Ku‘u Home — care for the home we all love,” DeFries said in a ClimbHI release. “The LEI program is an important partner for the HTA as we introduce the next generation of kama‘aina leaders to the opportunities that await them in Hawai‘i’s hospitality industry.”
Businesses, associations, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to participate in future LEI events by emailing info@climbhi.org for more information.
A free ClimbHI Bridge online portal is also available for opportunities for students and teachers, including guest speaking, career fair participation, mentorship and more.
Information: climbhi.org.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
