High school students from across Oʻahu received hands-on training in agriculture directly from the industry’s workforce, thanks to a new program designed by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. In line with CTAHR’s goal to advance workforce and economic development, its Urban Garden Center partnered with Waipahu High School and its ʻOhana of Excellence Academy, a pilot program funded by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
When Oʻahu County extension agents learned that Oʻahu high school students were interested in receiving training in landscape and garden maintenance, CTAHR responded by designing a program that addressed specific and individualized workforce development needs. In addition, the program exposed the students to broader career and college opportunities. This partnership supports the goals of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and UH Mānoa’s strategic mission.
Student interns learned how to put in weed mat barriers; plant various crops such as ʻulu; harvest seasonal fruit using a fruit picker; install irrigation and secure a weather station. They also harvested and washed lettuce for the chefs at Kapiʻolani Community College and packed local produce for the Hawaiʻi Foodbank. This month they took a field trip to Magoon Research Facility, where the student interns learned about flowering crops such as anthurium, and did orchid work with associate researcher Teresita Amore. Amore spoke about the importance of volunteering and adding service to the students’ resumes.
The interns have also experienced job interviews, worker orientations and safety trainings prior to doing actual work with CTAHR agricultural technicians and extension agents, including Christine Hanakawa and Alberto Ricordi.
Students from Waipahu High School, Pearl City High Shool, Aiea High School, Kapolei High School, Mililani High School, Hawaiʻi Baptist Academy and a student visiting from Washington state participated in the program.“The students from Waipahu High School and Pearl City High School graduated and returned this summer to help with the program, and high school students from Aiea, Mililani and Kapolei are returnees,” said Jari Sugano, Oʻahu County administrator for CTAHR. “It started as a small group of friends who are telling other friends to stay busy this summer versus staying home.”
“Our students were presented with certificates to validate their immersive work and contributions to lifelong serving,” said Ken Kajihara of the Waipahu High School Academy of Natural Resources. “After they graduate, we are hopeful that funding can be secured to make this pilot program a permanent one.”
“We want to engage more students and young adults to enter agriculture. Students have the opportunity to work with the land and see if agriculture is something for them. We try to keep it fun and educational, but it is very hard work,” Sugano said. “They have to be passionate about plants, food security and the environment to make agriculture a career. Not all will end up in agriculture, but we hope they gain life long lessons to take them wherever they go. They did an outstanding job for us this summer.”
The long-term goal is to support graduates in securing long-term jobs in the field of agriculture to ultimately support the advancement of Hawaiʻi’s landscape, crop production, and nursery and/or greenhouse industries.
