Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2004 — Entrepreneur classes [ARTICLE]

Entrepreneur classes

OHA is offering scholarships to Native Hawaiians interested in enrolling in one of four businesstraining classes to be held throughout the state starting in September. The classes teach entrepreneurs everything they need to know about starting a business, and completion of at least one of the classes fulfills one of the application requirements for start-ups from OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund (NHRLF). One of the classes - titled "Growing Your Mind" - is being offered by Kapi'olani Community College in partnership with OHA. The 15-session class will cover sales, advertising, filing taxes and business and financial planning. The class runs from Sept. 21-Nov. 18, and meets every Tues. and Thurs., 5:308:30 p.m. The course fee is $231. The three other classes are offered by NxLevel, a program of the Hawai'i Small Business Development Center. The 12session classes, whieh will be held on O'ahu, Kaua'i and Hawai'i island, focus on teaching better business practices and the production of a comprehensive business plan. Tuition is $495. The class schedule is: • Kaua'i Community College: Sept. 8-Nov. 24; Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, eall (808) 246-1748. To register, eall (808) 245-8318. • Leeward Community College: Sept. 15-Dec. 8; Wednesdays, 6-9 p.m. Call 522-8131. • Hawai'i Community College: Sept. 15-Dec. 8: Wednesdays, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Call (808) 933-0776. OHA scholarships are provided through the NHRLF and cover the entire fee for any one of the classes, but eaeh scholarship is split into two

portions. The first portion is awarded upon registration of a class and covers half the tuition cost. After succesful completion of the class, the second portion is awarded and covers the remainder of the cost. The NHRLF, whieh is administered by OHA and federally funded by the Administration for Native Americans, was created in 1988 to provide lending to Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs who have failed to obtain loans from two financial institutions. Proof of Hawaiian ancestry is required. For more information, eall Sharon Kato at 594-1917.