New Youth Mentorship Program Connects Honolulu Teens With Local Business Leaders
A new mentorship program launching this month aims to bridge the gap between Honolulu’s youth and the business community, pairing local teenagers with established professionals across the island’s diverse industries.
The Aloha Leaders Initiative, developed through a partnership between the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce and the Department of Education, will connect 50 high school students from across Oahu with mentors from fields ranging from hospitality and healthcare to technology and construction.
Students from Farrington, McKinley, Roosevelt, and Kaimuki high schools were selected through an application process that emphasized their interest in career exploration and leadership development. The program runs for six months, with monthly one-on-one meetings and quarterly group workshops.
“We’re seeing so many talented young people in our communities who just need someone to show them what’s possible,” said Marcus Tanaka, executive director of the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce. “This isn’t about pushing kids into specific careers—it’s about opening doors and helping them see the breadth of opportunities right here in Hawaii.”
The initiative addresses a longstanding challenge in Hawaii’s economy: keeping talented young people in the islands after graduation. According to recent data from the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, approximately 60% of Hawaii’s college graduates leave the state within five years of completing their education.
Real-World Experience
Participating mentors represent companies and organizations across Honolulu’s key industries. Local hotel managers from Waikiki, software developers from downtown tech startups, nurses from Queen’s Medical Center, and trades professionals from construction companies throughout the metro area have signed on.
The program includes hands-on experiences beyond traditional mentoring conversations. Students will visit workplaces, attend industry networking events, and participate in mock interview sessions with their mentors.
Seventeen-year-old Kailua High student Malia Rodrigues, one of the program participants, said she’s excited to explore careers in sustainable business practices. Her mentor works in renewable energy development for a local firm.
“I want to stay in Hawaii after college, but I wasn’t sure what kinds of jobs were available that would let me make a difference in environmental issues,” Rodrigues said. “Now I’m learning about all these companies doing green energy projects right here.”
Community Investment
The program builds on Hawaii’s tradition of community-centered education and reflects the local concept of “ohana” extending beyond family to include professional relationships and mentorship.
Participating businesses are investing time and resources into the initiative, with many mentors committing to continue relationships with their mentees beyond the formal program period. Some companies have also created internship opportunities specifically for program participants.
Lisa Chen, a software engineer at a Kakaako tech company and program mentor, emphasized the mutual benefits of the partnership. “These students bring fresh perspectives and energy to our workplace visits,” she said. “They’re asking questions about our industry that make us think differently about our own work.”
The program also addresses practical career preparation needs. Workshop topics include resume writing, professional communication, financial literacy, and networking skills specifically tailored to Hawaii’s business environment.
Looking Forward
Organizers plan to expand the program to include 100 student-mentor pairs next year if initial results prove successful. They’re tracking metrics including participant college enrollment rates, career clarity, and long-term retention in Hawaii.
The initiative also connects to broader economic development goals for the state, which has prioritized diversifying its economy beyond tourism and creating more opportunities for young professionals to build careers locally.
Applications for the program’s second cohort will open in spring 2025, with particular emphasis on reaching students from underrepresented communities and those who would be first-generation college students.
For Honolulu families, the program represents a new pathway for young people to envision their futures without leaving home. As Hawaii continues to grapple with the challenge of retaining its next generation of leaders, initiatives like this one offer hope that more graduates might choose to build their careers in the islands where they grew up.
Information about the Aloha Leaders Initiative and future application periods is available through participating high schools and the Honolulu Chamber of Commerce website.
