Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 8, 1 August 1992 — ALU LIKE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ALU LIKE

(presenled by Ka Wai Ola O OHA and Alu Like as a puhlie service)

Voc-ed project wins national award The National Center for Student Retention selected the University of Hawai'i Coramunity Colleges Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Project as a recipient of the 1992 National Retention Excellence Award. This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through Alu Like, Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program.

There were 3,029 students of Hawaiian ancestry enrolled at all seven community colleges in September 1991. This represents 12.9 percent of the total enrollment within the system. The number also reflects a 22 percent increase since 1987, when 2,627 Hawaiian students were enrolled, according to the University of Hawai'i lnstitutional Research Office. The Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Program consists of three raajor levels: secondary, postsecondary, and adult. The secondary sector consists of four projects in the Hawai'i Department of Education: senior career internships; career demonstration projects at Waimanalo and Kealakehe Intermediate schools; Hana Kupono projects at Hana High and Intermediate, Kealakehe Intermediate, Moloka'i High, Waimanalo Intermediate and Waimea Canyon schools; E Kulia I Ka Nu'u project at Castle and Kailua high schools; and the Maui District and Leeward District vocational education improvement projects at Lahainaluna, Moloka'i, Hana, Nanakuli and Wai'anae high schools.

The postsecondary program, directed from the University of Hawai'i Chancellor's Office, includes all seven community colleges. The adult sector includes four projects: Hawaii Computer Training Center, Entrepreneurship Training,

Winners at Work and KailuaWaimanalo Community Education Coalition. Programs and projects at all levels support the NHVEP mission to institute changes in the state educational system to ensure that Hawaiians participate in and benefit ffom vocational education.

Computer Training Center graduates its 15th class Commencement ceremonies for the Hawai'i Computer Training Center's 15th class were held June 27. There were 31 graduates. They were: Tezra-Dee Uilani Alapa, Penelope K. Bailey, Sheryl H.T. Brown, Wanda Moana Brown, Adatchie Eaton, Normagene E.

Greene, Doan Hanohano, Shantel Kempton, Ann Mane L. Keoho, Arleen K.S. R. Kepo'o, Rene Melson, Suzette A. Smith, Joey Riki Alcantra, Travis M. Awana, John Davis, Doris Isa, Yasmin Kealohapauole, Kimberly Kauinohea Moe, Lynette Naone, Carlana Primacio, Miehele Ramos, Kehaunani Skeen, Jean Soriano and Florence K. Tabag. Diplomas and special awards were presented to Stephanie K. Tallet. Gerard Donlin, Thomas William Mariani, Kehaulani Akiyama, Sharon Ligaya Anderson, Jay Sheldon and Cheryl Ann Kuualoha Kanoho. Those participating in the exercises were: Haunani Apoliona, president/CEO, Alu Like, ine.; Winona Ellis Rubin, state director, Human Services; Larry Marrietti, IBM manager; Dr. VerlieAnn MalinaWright, director, Continuing Education, Kamehameha Schools; and the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club.

To enroll in the next computer center class, whieh begins in September, eall Ernest Mika at 532-3655.

Alu Like success stories Hawai'i lsland Center

Lisa Kinoshita | successfully completed the H&R Block Tax Preparation course and just finished her first tax season as a tax preparer /office clerk in

Waimea on the Big Island. Kinoshita originally knew little about tax preparation, and had never worked in an office.

She applied with Alu Like's classroom training program for assistance to enroll in the H&R Block course. She graduated from the three-month course with a 90 percent test score and was hired as office staff through Alu Like's on the job training program. Kinoshita has increased her communication skills and learned computer programs to do taxes and accounting. Her enthusiasm for her own potential is very high. A whole new world has opened up for her. by Barbara Haight

Moloka'i lsland Center Leilani Victoria Bicoy-Lalim is a housewife and mother of two ehildren. She wanted to be ready to enter the workforce in two years, when her youngest would be entering school. She enrolled in Alu Like's Employment & Training Program Classroom Training Activity (CRT) and attended Maui Community College-Moloka'i where she earned an associate's degree in accounting in May. Bicoy-Lalim is now working as an account clerk trainee with Alu Like's Moloka'i Employment & Ttaining Program. by Ruth L Poaipuni, employment specialist

Erin Bentley, a shy teenager, asked nothing more than to be placed in a job that would help her "understand the meaning of hard work." Alu Like placed her with Bonk Farm, where she earns $4.75 an hour harvesting sweet potatoes and onions. Although she is the only female working with two male co-workers, Bentley holds her own and sometimes outperforms her co-workers. In recognition of her performance and work ethic, Lynn Bonk, owner/manager, increased Bentley's hourly wage to $5.25. Bentley is to be commended for her outstanding work performance and ability to increase her earnings after only two weeks of employment. by Kalanai A. Lee, summer youth employment counselor Moloka'i will always remember June 1991 when three major fires occurred in one week. First, Kaunakakai Sales & Services (an auto parts store) burned. Then a brush fire burned out of control becoming "the worst brush fire in Molokai's history," according to news reports. Then Molokai's popular eatery/gathering plaee, Mid-Nite Inn, went up in flames, leaving the owners without a kitchen and 20 employees without

jobs. Rhina-Lynn Juario, a cashier there, will never forget it. When she eame to Alu Like, Juario was on unemployment while she worked a weekend job as a lfont desk clerk at a condo-rental. Today she is employed as a full-time bookkeeper at

Hikiola Cooperative, a farming supplies eo-op near the airport. This shows the excellent results of the training. Hikiola manager Joan Lasua has a competent, hardworking employee, Alu Like has a success story and Juario has an enjoyable and challenging occupation. An added benefit is that Juario's plants at home have never looked better. by Jenni Ashitomi, employment specialist

O'ahu lsland Center Two young unemployed Hawaiian men from Haleiwa were persuaded by their sister, Johnell Kalulu, to apply with Alu Like at the North Shore Career Development Center. John Kalulu and Solomon Kuehu were explicit about what they wanted in a job: decent pay, physical outdoor work, preferably not too far from home. Audrey Nicholson of L and H Hawaiian Tree Co. happened to be looking for someone to work in Mokule'ia. Kuehu was placed immediately through Alu Like's on the job training. Later a position opened up with Makakilo Nursery and Nicholson asked that Kalulu be placed there as a nursery worker under the same program. She praised the work of both Kuehu and Kalulu. by Leona Teale

Charmaine Santos is enrolled in Alu Like's on the job training program as a clerk typist with Catholic Charity. She says, "I just love my work. My super-

visor, Arlene Jutras, has a sense of humor that would make just about anyone love it. She's very flexible, takes the extra time and effort to train and teach me and lets me work independently. That's what I like."

Jutras comments, "There was no doubt in my mind about giving Alu Like another eall for a placement. All the applicants referred were good." A former Alu Like participant there had started as a clerk typist and worked her way to office manager. "I wish I could hire them all," Jutras eonīinued. "Charmaine is such a joy to work with. I feel that if they're willing to learn and want to succeed, I'll make the time to train them properly." She is even willing to help participants identify their goals and help them to achieve those goals.

"I wish more employers would use Alu Like's services to benefit these individuals," Jutras said. by Ronelle Velasco continued on page 19

Dr. Joyce Cook (with the lei) of U.S. Department of Education delivers the keynote address at the Native Hawaiian Vocational Education Project statewide eonference.

(presented by Ka Wai Ola 0 OHA and Alu Like as a public service)

Gordon Mann was placed in the OJT program as a carpenter's apprentice, through the Carpenters Union, with Ahella International, Ine. Mann thanks Alu

Like, the union and his employer for their assistance. He has completed the program and continues to work for Ahella International in Honolulu.

Doreen Young was a mother of four and homemaker with no career plans but an interest in nursing. She earned very little working part-time as she awaited final divorce papers. She began taking some training classes as a nurse's aide. Today she is a nurse's aide at Beverly Manor earning $8 an

hour with benefits. What helped make the difference was Alu Like's Employment & Training Program. The program assisted her with getting a bus pass to facilitate looking for work. The program also gave valuable support while she took the written and elinieal tests required for state certification. by Scunantha L. While

Maui lsland Center

Kelly Street started out as a legal secretary at Foley Maehara Judge Nip & Chang. After two years, she took additional

training through Alu Like's upgrade program and was promoted to paralegal assistant. Within a few months, she was promoted again and returned for further training. Her next promotion involved drafting conveyance documents for Elizabeth Ivey, a lawyer in the firm who specializes in estate planning and probate.

"This is a really good program," Street comments. "And I really want to thank Alu Like, ine. for all the help they gave me." by Kalaokona Mahoney, employment specialist Roxane Sparks eame to Alu Like

looking for a job in January. The only skills she had were from attending a state clerical program. Sparks is a mother of four and wanted to go to work to make

ends meet. She was placed at Maui Office Machines as an office clerk. She has successfully completed the on-the-job training program and is applying for an accounting clerk position. She has the determination to make her life a success.

Hawai'i lsland Center measures growth Alu Like's Hawai'i Island Center is currently home to 22 employees with another four employees staffing annexes in Kamuela and Kona. Five programs are now in plaee. The Employment and Training Program serves a record-breaking 600

adults and 450 youths. It is the first time 4t has reached this number during any one program year. The Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna Program serves the kupuna population in a variety of ways. Daily, it serves between 40 and 50 kupuna.

The Business Development Center recently completed an Entrepreneurship Training class in Waimea. It eontinues to help with business start-up and expansion. It was also involved in a collaborative effort with OHA to publish the Directory of Native Hawaiian-Owned Businesses. At the Island Substance Abuse Program, kupuna Aunty Maile Akimseu and Aunty Abbie Napeahi are kept busy counseling Hawaiians about recovery from drug and aleohol abuse.

The Multi-Services Center Demonstration Project was started in response to the Hui Tmi report on Hawaiian services. This project is staffed by a representative from the center in cooperation with ASK-2000. The project helps Hawaiians access other available community resources. The Big Island Alu Like 'ohana also staffs the Native Hawaiian Library Project's Homework Centers in Kealakehe and Keaukaha. as well as the Native Hawaiian Vocational

Education Assistance Program on the campus of the Hawai'i Community College. Another extension of Alu Like's 'ohana is the Hawai'i Island Center's Advisory Council. Homework centers help elementaryaged Hawaiian children with their school work and promote literacy and regular use of the state library. The Native Hawaiian Vocational

Education Assistance Program encourages Hawaiians toward vocational education and supports their pursuit of higher education. It also assists them with completing necessary forms and applications. Behind these programs is a staff of committed employees. Kawaihona Poy is one of these. After being with the center for 1 1 years she is retiring this fall. Mahalo a nui loa e Kawaihona for all the years of service.

Business start-up course Native Hawaiians, do you need assistance to start a business? Expand a business? Complete a business plan? The Alu Like Business Development Center offers entrepreneurship training classes at its training facilities at the Maunakea Marketplaee, 1120 Maunakea St„ Suite 273. The course covers the As to Zs of owning and managing a business, including business attitude, marketing, organization, financial management and business planning.

Over 300 students have participated in the program. Here's what two graduates had to say: "It was a relief to have received the magnitude of information in a relaxed but professional manner." "I've been through college and have taken a lot of classes, but this class tops it all." The two-hour evening classes are on Tuesday through Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The six-week course totals 36 hours of instruction. Space is now available for classes that begin Oct. 26. Applications must be received by Oct. 13. Call 524-1225 for applications and interviews.