A popular workforce training opportunity designed to prepare Maui residents for potential careers in the energy sector is being expanded to another island. For the first time, the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College, in partnership with Hawaiian Electric, will offer the 10-week Maui Power Pathways Training Program on both Maui and Molokaʻi, significantly increasing access to hands-on, high-demand training.
The program, which runs from April 13 through June 19, 2026, provides participants with real-world experience across Hawaiian Electric’s generation operations. Training areas include electrical systems, combustion turbine operations, instrumentation and control technology, diesel mechanics and power plant operations.
Those who successfully complete the training will receive up to $3,000. Space is limited, and applications will be accepted through February 20, 2026.
“The immediate and total success of the Maui Power Pathways Training Program in its first year inspired us to expand the upcoming 2026 cohort to include Molokaʻi,” said UH Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana. “And that initial success was a result of the innovative and forward-looking partnership between our college and Hawaiian Electric. With the program’s expansion, we renew our commitment to training Maui Nui’s future workforce.”
Building a workforce pipeline
Applicants must be:
- Residents of Maui or Molokaʻi, depending on the training location
- Available for the duration of the program
- At least 18 years old
- Driver license-eligible, and
- Able to pass a criminal background check, drug screening and pre-employment physical
Participants from the previous cohort were successfully hired into positions at Hawaiian Electric’s generating facilities, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in building a sustainable, local workforce pipeline within Maui County.
“Through our partnership with UH Maui College, the Maui Power Pathways training program exceeded our expectations,” said Kazu Hayashida, manager of workforce planning at Hawaiian Electric. “Our goal was to develop a pipeline of qualified candidates for future opportunities at our generating stations, and we were already able to successfully hire a number of trainees. We’re excited to again offer a direct pathway from training into careers with Hawaiian Electric.”
For questions, contact Hawaiian Electric Workforce Planning at HRWorkforcePlanning@hawaiianelectric.com.
