Workforce Development

Providing a Pathway for Hawai‘i’s Youth

The HTA has partnered with ClimbHI, a local non-profit organization to inspire Hawai‘i’s youth to pursue careers in the Hawai‘i visitor industry through the LEI (Lead, Expose, Inspire) Program. LEI is an annual statewide event held every April comprising of inspiration and leadership through guest speakers and Hawaiian culture and hospitality training, site visits to a lodging property for an overview of the lodging sector including a dining etiquette piece for lunch, and an afternoon career fair to expose students to the variety of career options and opportunities in the visitor industry. 

Work Wise Program

In 2024, the HTA launched its inaugural “HTA Work Wise” program in partnership with ClimbHI. The Work Wise program was created for recent high school graduates and current students from 16 to 18 years of age interested in part-time or seasonal work. Students also received expedited application processes for current job openings based on their interests. Fifty-three Maui and O‘ahu public high school graduates and students have received invaluable exposure to potential jobs and career pathways in Hawai‘i’s diverse visitor industry through this program. Participants included 13 students on Maui, primarily from Lahainaluna and Baldwin High Schools; 22 students from West O‘ahu schools, and 18 students from Honolulu.

Hawai‘i Tourism Ho‘oilina Scholarships

Hawai‘i Tourism Ho‘oilina Scholarships are awarded to college-bound public Hawai‘i high school seniors based on demonstrated academic achievement, leadership skills and an expressed interest in pursuing a hospitality, tourism or culinary education and career; or community college students who are Hawai‘i residents, graduated from a Hawai‘i public high school, completed their associates degree in hospitality, tourism, or culinary, and are transferring into the junior academic school year.  The purpose of this scholarship is to support kids raised in Hawai‘i to have an executive management level career in our visitor industry.

There were nine Ho‘oilina scholars in 2023 and seven in 2024 that graduated from the University of Hawai‘i, School of Travel Industry Management.  There was one in 2023 and in 2024 that graduated from University of Hawai‘i – West O‘ahu.

Visitor Industry Workforce Needs Assessment

HTA has commissioned Anthology Research to conduct an assessment of the current and future workforce needs of Hawai‘i’s visitor industry and related sectors. The initiative is a part of HTA's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, supporting our community pillar to build a resilient visitor industry workforce and community. A final report was received and is available by clicking on this link: Visitor Industry Workforce Needs Assessment 

According to HTA's Destination Management Action Plans (DMAPs), stakeholders value the importance of having an official state-wide tour guide certification program in the state of Hawai'i. Nevertheless, different stakeholders view functions and values of current Certification for Hawai'i’s Professional Tour Guides Program differently. In consideration of moving to a formal licensing program in the future, HTA, through the partnership with the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association (NaHHA) and the University of Hawaiʻi School of Travel Industry Management, conducted a landscape analysis to explore strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with current program offerings.

Access the final report here: Study of Formulation and Implementation of a Formal Licensing Program in
the Future