Hawaii Job Corps Marks Its First 50 Years

Hawaii Job Corps Center has been helping local teens get hired for 50 years, and it’s celebrating the milestone with a reception today (Aug. 20) at its Waimanalo base, and also will accept school supply donations for two area campuses.

The center — the oldest and largest such program in the country — focuses on providing education and training to youths between the ages of 16 and 24, to steer them toward better career opportunities.

It got its start in 1966, thanks to the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act under President Lyndon B. Johnson. As an arm of the U.S. Department of Labor, it has served 16,000 young adults since its inception.

U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono will be keynote speaker at the reception, which also will be attended by representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, as well as other local officials, community leaders, employers and program graduates.

State Sen. Laura Thielen, Rep. Chris Lee and City Councilman Ikaika Anderson will present congratulatory certificates to the Job Corps center.

In addition to the celebratory gathering, the organization also plans to donate 300 backpacks loaded with school supplies to Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate and Blanche Pope Elementary schools.

For more information on Hawaii Job Corps Center, call Julie Dugan at 259-6051 or visit hawaii.jobcorps.gov. The center is located at 41-467 Hihimanu St.