In the Media

ClimbHI LEI Event Returns to HCC, Outer Islands By Hawai`i Hospitality Spring 2022ClimbHI, a Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofi t, hosted its 10th annual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration (LEI) hospitality industry program April 5 at the Hawai‘i Convention...

Local Nonprofit Sees Increase in Career Opportunities for Students During 1st Year of Online Portal By Russell Subiono | Hawaiʻi Public Radio March 1, 2022Raising Hawaiʻi’s minimum wage continues to be a debated topic in the islands. One of the bills being considering...

ClimbHI Continues to Expand Virtual Career Training Portal By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News February 11, 2022In looking back at the first full year of running its virtual career training portal, local nonprofit ClimbHI says it’s “dramatically increased”...

ClimbHI Bridge Expands to Reach Thousands of Students, Educators, and Businesses in its First Year; Top 2021 Participants Recognized By Teddi Anderson | Media Contact February 10, 2022 Honolulu, Hawaii, February 10, 2022 – Hawaii workforce development nonprofit...

Helping Students 'Climb' to Success By Leeward O'ahu Voice Staff | MidWeek Voice January 19, 2022Nonprofit ClimbHI has reached nearly 1,400 public high school students in the first two years of its Service Excellence Certificate program for the Hawaiʻi Department of...

Women Who Mean Business - Julie Morikawa By Eugene Tanner | Pacific Business News October 01, 2021Julie Morikawa President | ClimbHIWhat did you want to be when you grew up? It was always about a feeling for me, not any particular profession. I've always found much...

Hospitality Workforce Development Program Expands in High Schools By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News September 10, 2021(c) voshadhi/istock “Our hospitality leaders are generously supporting a program that will pay dividends for these students and the Hawaii...

Hawaiʻi Hospitality Industry Sponsors Certificate Program for HS Students By Maui Now September 7, 2021Hawai’i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI runs a Department of Education hospitality program to help high school students be more prepared when they enter the...

8 Things Hawaiʻi Companies Should Know About Hiring Interns By Krista Rados | Hawaii Business Magazine August 25, 2021How to start a program, paid vs. unpaid interns, college students vs. high schoolers, and more. Plus five tips for students.Illustration: Getty...

A Public-Private Partnership that Actually Works By Steve Petranik | Hawaii Business Magazine August 12, 2021Traditional way for kids to learn about careers was for teachers to invite dads, moms and anyone else they knew to speak to the class or show up at career...

Together We Move Mountains: Alumna Partners with Cornell in Hawai‘i By Linda Copman | Cornell University August 6, 2021Julie Hulali Morikawa ’01 cherishes her roots in the rural district of Kohala on the north end of the Big Island of Hawai‘i. “We were always outside...

ClimbHI Honors Hawaii Businesses and Educators By Star-Advertiser Staff | The Honolulu Star-Advertiser August 4, 2021Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI is recognizing three Hawaii businesses /organizations and three educators for their involvement with...

ClimbHI Recognizes Businesses for Excellence in Workforce Development By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News August 3, 2021Two local nonprofits — ClimbHI and the Hawaii Executive Collaborative — are recognizing three businesses for excellence in providing...

ClimbHI and HLTA Recognize Two Hawaii Educators with New Hospitality Award By Teddi Anderson | Westside Stories July 8, 2021Hawaii workforce development’s nonprofit ClimbHI has partnered with the Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association (HLTA) to recognize two educators,...

Kamaʻāina Economic Recovery Stories By Kamaʻāina Economic Recovery June 23, 2021Aloha Mai Kākou Mahalo again for sharing stories of our state’s economic recovery. Your partnership helps us find the best stories to publish — and helps us reach more Hawaiʻi households...

Julie Morikawa and ClimbHi for our Youth (Hospitality Hawaii) By ThinkTech Hawaii June 23, 2021ClimbHI Helping Hawaii's Youth. The host for this episode is Jon Conching. The guest for this episode is Julie Morikawa. In this discussion we learn about Julie Morikawa,...

ClimbHI, HLTA Launch New Award for Hawaii Educators By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News June 16, 2021EUGENE TANNER | PBNWorkforce development nonprofit ClimbHI and the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association have teamed up to create a new award to provide...

Mufi's Message By Mufi Hannemann, President & CEO | Hawai‘i Lodging and Tourism Association June 10, 2021Aloha, Yesterday, HLTA and ClimbHI awarded $1,000 scholarships to two outstanding educators to gain experience in and understanding of our industry. This has been...

A Visitor Industry that Inspires Students By Julie Morikawa | Honolulu Star-Advertiser March 25, 2021As Hawaii legislators consider a wide range of cuts to cultural, educational, safety and research programs run by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), it is critical to...

ClimbHI Holds First Virtual Event By Jennifer Sudick | khon2.com March 31, 2021Hawaii workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI is hosting its first-ever virtual Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration (LEI) hospitality industry program on April 9, 2021, for up to 2,000...

Helping Teens Climb Higher By Julie Morikawa| MidWeek March 31, 2021As a junior at Mililani High School, Raven Petersen attended her first Leadership, Exploration, Inspiration event, which was organized by Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI. The...

Program Open to Students Interested in Hospitality Industry ClimbHI interview on KHON2 By Nexstar Inc. | khon2.com March 19, 2021Even in high school, Geraldine “Denden” Ilan knew she wanted a career in sharing aloha. The 2016 graduate of Waipahu High School on the...

Tourism-Focused Workforce Development Event Moves Online This Year by Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News March 17, 2021Students learn about the hospitality industry during a ClimbHI event in 2019 at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort. ClimbHI Bridge, which was...

Announcements: The Kona Historical Society’s to Hold Annual Membership Meeting by Staff | West Hawaii Today March 14, 2021The Kona Historical Society’s Annual Membership Meeting will be held Friday. The members-only virtual event via Zoom will run 5:30 to 6:30 p.m....

Enhancing Workforce Opportunities Fern White Uses ClimbHI Bridge to Connect Business, Nonprofit Leaders with Students by West Hawaii Today March 10, 2021Students learn about the hospitality industry during a ClimbHI event in 2019 at the Westin Hapuna Beach Resort....

Julie Morikawa named ‘Woman of the Year’ by Women in Lodging and Tourism by Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News February 26, 2021Julie Morikawa, president and CEO of ClimbHI (c) Eugene TannerThe Hawaii Chapter of Women in Lodging and Tourism has named Julie...

ClimbHI In It Together By KITV February 19, 2021

ClimbHI Finds New Ways to Connect Amid Covid By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News February 18, 2021When workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI first launched its virtual career training portal in 2019, President and CEO Julie Morikawa envisioned that it...

ClimbHI Connects Public School Students To Career Resources By Staff and Wire Reports | Hawaii Tech January 18, 2021Students at public high schools across the state can now connect with career opportunities through an online portal. Under a new partnership between the...

Hawai‘i Women in Lodging & Tourism Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association | WIL's February Newsletter February 01, 2021Quote of the Month:There is power in allowing yourself to be known and heard in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.Advice from a...

ClimbHI Bridge Steers Students Toward Careers by Duane Kurisu | Honolulu Star-Advertiser December 20, 2020Public school students are getting a leg up on career opportunities through an online portal known as ClimbHI Bridge, which links educators with local businesses...

HIDOE Partners with ClimbHI to Connect Students with Career Opportunities with New Online Platform December 08, 2020HONOLULU — Under a new partnership between the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) and Hawai‘i workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI,...

ClimbHI Bridge Help Keiki Climb Higher By Stephanie Shinno | The Garden Island September 17, 2020Students meet Gov. David Ige in Honolulu at a pre-COVID-19 ClimbHI event. (Photo courtesy of ClimbHI)LIHU‘E — Julie Morikawa, president of ClimbHI Bridge, appreciates the...

Our Schools Need Your Help Now By Steven Petranik | Editor Hawaii Business Magazine August 27, 2020IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION IN HAWAI‘I, the time is now, during this education crisis caused by the pandemic. And if you wonder how to help, one valuable way...

ClimbHI Bridge Commercial

Preparing Teens for Tomorrow By Noelle Fujii-Oride | Hawaii Business Magazine April 1, 2020Schools and businesses are partnering in unprecedented ways to develop the state’s future workforce. This is Part I of a two part report where we look at how Hawai‘i’s public...

Hawai‘i E Pili Kākou! By Julie Morikawa March 29, 2020

Hawaii Convention Center Bookings Approach 40,0000 By Brett Alexander-Estes | Hawaii Hospitality March 1, 2020

Industry Leaders Talk Staffing, Trends and Sustainability By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News February 21, 2020

An Easy Way to Support Public Schools By Steve Petrank | Hawaii Business Magazine February 6, 2020

Building on the Momentum for Change By Steve Petrank | Hawaii Business Magazine

Making Dreams Come True By Tim Thompson | Alaska Airlines February 1, 2020

Workforce Development Program Goes West By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News December 19, 2019

Inspire You & Me - John Tobon, ClimbHI, Hawaii Men's Shed By Inspire You & Me December 2, 2019

ClimbHI Pilots New Initiative to Introduce Students to the Tourism Industry By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News November 13, 2019Local workforce development nonprofit ClimbHI launched a pilot program last week for a new initiative called LEI Assembly. An...

Hawaii’s Visitor Industry Hopes to Bolster Workforce by Recruiting Teen Students Early By Allison Schaefers | Honolulu Star Advertiser November 11, 2019

18th Annual Business Leadership Hawaii Awards: Cades Schutte/The Cades Foundation Nonprofit Leadership Award By Pacific Business News November 8, 2019AccesSurf Hawaii, Inc. Cara Short, Executive Director What do you see as Hawaii’s biggest challenge and how would you...

Promote Work-Based Learning Opportunities with ClimbHI Bridge By Chamber of Commerce Hawaii October 23, 2019

Alaska Airlines Supports Development of Home-Grown Leaders Through ClimbHI's LEI Program By HI Now Daily October 18, 2019Helping Hawaii's high school and college students prepare for their future careers. Sponsored by Alaska AirlinesIn a companywide effort to give...

How Alaska Airlines Foundation Helps Students ClimbHI – Creating Lift and Inspiring Hawaii’s Future Tourism Leaders By Tim Thompson, Executive Director | Alaska Airlines Blog August 27, 2019ClimbHI’s college interns help coordinate the annual LEI program, which brings...

The Alaska Airlines Foundation is Awarding $260,000 to 24 Nonprofits in Alaska, Washington and Hawaii By KHON2 August 6, 2019Courtesy: Alaska AirlinesHONOLULU (KHON2) — The Alaska Airlines Foundation has supported communities with cash grants to nonproxts for 20...

Alaska Airlines Foundation Donates $260,000 to 24 Nonprofits By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News August 6, 2019Alaska Airlines Foundation, the charitable arm of the airline, has awarded $260,000 to 24 nonprofits in Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington. The six...

Connecting Kids with Careers By Christina O'Connor | Pacific Business News March 29, 2019As a high school student being told that she already had to choose a college major, Julie Morikawa didn’t feel fully equipped to make such a big decision. “Why, when we’re in high...

Inspire You & Me - ClimbHI, Richard Soo, Hawaii Hulacat Club Show By Inspire You and Me March 24, 2019

Program Fills Students’ Ambition Sails with Wind By Rowlie John Flores | West Hawaii TodayThe theme of this year’s Lead, Expose and Inspire Program, LEI, April 16-17 on Hawaii Island was the wind of the Hawaiian Islands, and like the makani of the Hawaiian Islands,...

Visitor Industry Looks to Attract High Schoolers By Allison Schaefers | Honolulu Star Advertiser April 3, 2018Students from 37 schools participated in last year’s LEI program, including the Maui high schoolers pictured above. This year’s annual event will include...

Program Offers High School Students Peek into Tourism Industry By KHON2 News April 4, 2018HONOLULU (KHON2) - There's a great opportunity for high school students who are thinking about pursuing a career in Hawaii's tourism and hospitality industry! They can hear from...

The Future Workforce of Tourism By John Steinhorst | The Garden IslandHawaii businesses can expand students’ horizons through the state’s largest workforce development program. For the past seven years, the LEI (Lead, Expose, Inspire) program of ClimbHI has been...

Sixth LEI Program Opens Doors for Students in Hotel, Tourism Industries By David McCracken | The Garden IslandKOLOA — Kylie Butts thought Tuesday’s Leadership, Exploration and Inspiration program was just going to be a field trip she could enjoy instead of being in a...

Checking Out Careers in Hotel Industry By The Maui NewsKing Kekaulike High sophomores Savanna Valdez and Madison Dutro (first photo) chat with Barbie Dofa, Napili Kai Beach Resort director of human resources Wednesday during a career fair at the Sheraton Maui. The...

LEI 2016 Program on Hawaii News NowAnnual leadership program to help inspire next generation of Hawaii's hospitality industry. HONOLULU - In April of 2016, ClimbHI and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) will kick off the 5th annual LEI (Leadership, Exploration, and...

Tourism Climbing High By Jenna Carpenter | The Garden IslandPhoto by: Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island Chef Michael Young of the Sheraton Kauai Resort, leads a line of Kauai Community College culinary arts students and other chefs in serving up Niihau Lamb during...

Inspiring The Next Generation By The Garden Island (Kauai)LIHUE — In April, ClimbHI and the Hawaii Tourism Authority will kick off the 5th annual LEI (Leadership, Exploration and Inspiration) program. LEI is the largest workforce development program in Hawaii, and was...

‘Pick Me,’ says Visitor Industry By Allison Schaefers, Craig T. Kojima | Star AdviserCRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM The visitor industry is working hard to find the next generation of local hospitality workers. Kapiolani Community College students Anna...

Workforce Program Reaches Kauai By Dennis Fujimoto | The Garden Islandby Dennis Fujimoto - The Garden Island POIPU — Waimea High School student Kamryn Kenney was thrilled to be part of the Leadership, Exploration and Inspiration workforce development program Friday at...

Kezeah Bautista, Included in HTA’s Monthly Update for the Month of AprilIn honor of Tourism Month, the HTA would like to share an editorial piece by Kezeah Bautista, an 11th grader at Farrington High School, who recently participated in the Leadership, Exploration and...