LEI 2013 (Leadership Exploration Inspiration)

On April 5, 2013 ClimbHI and the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) will kick off the 2nd annual LEI program.  LEI is a HTA-sponsored workforce development project to inspire Hawai‘i’s youth to select careers in the Hawai‘i visitor industry by providing them with the necessary means to achieve success. From the student’s perspective LEI represents an opportunity for Leadership, Exploration and Inspiration, and from the hospitality industry’s perspective LEI provides an opportunity to Lead, Expose, and Inspire Hawaii’s youth.

The program will be bringing over 400 high school students into Waikiki from Oahu as well as Kauai, the Big Island, Molokai, and Lana’i.  ClimbHI will be hosting a separate LEI program on Maui for 120 students from that island.  The day will consist of the following:

9:15am-10:30am: Leadership and inspiration through guest speakers (Mayor and Governor attended last year) and Hawaiian culture/sense of place trainings at the Hawaii Convention Center

11am-2pm:  Students get divided up at 11 different hotels for an overview of the hotel industry including a dining etiquette piece for lunch.

2pm-3:30pm: Students return to the convention center for a career fair to expose them to the variety of roles in the hospitality industry and post-secondary educational opportunities.

For students who want to participate, businesses who want to get involved please email to Julie Morikawa: Julie@climbhi.org.