Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 9, 1 September 1989 — West Oʻahu Employment Corp. to train Leeward residents [ARTICLE]

West Oʻahu Employment Corp. to train Leeward residents

Over 26,000 jobs will be generated within the next 15 to 20 years with the development of Kapolei the new "Second City" under construction in West O'ahu on the Ewa plain said Kauila Clark executive director of the West O'ahu Employment Corporation. Clark said that the gamut of jobs available in that region would be wide-ranging, from gas station attendants to management-level positions in the new hotels. He said that there are two oeean marinas, resorts, shopping centers and residential areas planned for the new community. A non-profit organization established in 1987, the Makakilo-based corporation is funded by both public and private sectors Clark said. He said the corporation is there to provide services to individuals who live in the Leeward O'ahu district. The corporation will help train and develop the skills and abilities of individuals in the job market to make sure that they are qualified and have the skills for the jobs projected, he said. "The whole idea is that we would like to see people employed in the area that they live," Clark said, "We hope that a large percentage of the jobs that open in the development of Kapolei go to qualified residents of West O'ahu." So far, the success of the corporation has been through partnerships with the private sector, publie agencies and communities working together in the project Clark said. Some of the groups represented are the city and county of Elonolulu, Department of Education, Kamehameha Schools,

Alu Like, ine., the Honolulu Community Action Program, ine., Leeward Community College and other state aaencies. WOEC is the "body" of the whole process that will facilitate everything Clark said. The corporation will work with businesses, go within the eommunity to find the people to fill these positions, and provide the necessary training he said. The corporation has three successful educational programs in progress. One program provides education scholarships open to high school graduates interested in higher education and students currently attending a college or university. A second is a partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to provide tutorial programs to public elementary schools on the Leeward coast where such subjects as reading, writing and math skills are taught. Finally, an entreprenuerial program with Leeward Community College is funded for those interested in operating their own businesses. Clark said there is a one-stop center planned, to provide services with the help of public agencies in areas such as career guidance, vocational eounseling, job training, healthcare, advice for single parents and homemakers, childcare, and services for the handicapped or disadvantaged. The office is at 92-605 Makakilo Drive. By 1992 the corporation will move to the new Kapolei shopping center at the base of Makakilo Clark said. Individuals interested in the program or services may eall 672-3529.