Press

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...

Hundreds of Students Get Inside Look at Visitor Industry By KHON2Hundreds of high school and college students got an inside look at Hawaii’s tourism industry Friday. The 4th annual LEI Program features more than 60 businesses, including 21 full-service hotels, that...

LEI TV SpotWe just finished the spot for LEI. Will share with you the air schedule once we have it from Oceanic. Click Here to watch the video on youtube.

The Program Expanded My Meaning of the Hospitality Industry Casey Anacleto | Kauai High SchoolHospitality and tourism is a great and wide beneficial industry. After the LEI program I felt honored to be part of the event. The benefit of attending the program expanded...

HTA Featured: Student Learns that Practice Makes Perfect in Hospitality By Aimee Nitta | Waianae High SchoolFive stars isn't just the rate of a hotel, it is the amount of work and effort the employees put into the process of making guest have a great time. The hotel...

LEI Is Not A Program By By Deyvon Savaiigaea-LeeI want to express my sincere appreciation for giving my the opportunity to participate in this year's Leadership Exploration Inspiration (L.E.I) event. This is my second year participating and I certainly have gained so...

HTA Featured: Utilizing My Time and Energy By Randi Lee Oxentine | Kauai High SchoolWhen our time and energy is put to positive use, there will always have outcomes that will drive us to where we are supposed to be. Robin Williams has taught me that I am the plant,...

HTA E-Bulletin: Leading, Exploring and Inspiring Aloha By Carlyn Abramo | Mililani High SchoolHospitality extends so much further than an industry. Through the HTA-supported LEI program on April 5, 2013, I was able to learn and experience what that industry does for...

Expedia Local Expert TourBeing an extern at ClimbHI is awesome! There are a lot of opportunities for you out there. I was given the opportunity to see and understand how Expedia Local Expert runs. By shadowing Mr. Pete Sherbrick, one of the Concierge Managers of the...

The Outrigger Tour OpportunityOne of the greatest opportunities that you'll have as ClimbHI's extern is that you will be exposed to the different work field. Shanel and I's first journey were with Mr. Milton Lafitaga, Senior Sales Manager in Groups and Sports...

LEI 2012 Short ClipTo lead, explore, and inspire 300 high school students of Oahu to the Hospitality Industry.  This video covers the whole day event and a must see! L.E.I Promo Click on the picture to watch both videos. Don't forget to visit our Youtube site and...

2012 LEI Hotel VisitsMemorable experiences and unforgettable memories for high school students as well as with their mentors and leaders. The students were enjoying their lunch at the leading hotels in Hawaii. [gallery link="file"...

Hawaii Tourism Authority E-Bulletin May is Tourism Month: We all Contribute to Hawai'i's Tourism Economy   The following commentary from Mike McCartney, president and CEO, Hawai'i Tourism Authority, ran on Sunday, May 6 in theHonolulu Star-Advertiser     Tourism...

LEI Program Aims to Attract Students to Hawaii’s Tourism Industry By The Business Journals | Pacific BlogThe Hawaii Tourism Authority has teamed up with local nonprofit called ClimbHI on a new work-force development project aimed at getting more high school students...