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<br />Merit Appeals Board August 26, 2025
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<br />MS. TOKIHIRO: —to develop more internship type opportunities and we’re currently
<br />evaluating funding sources for that. So, the State Department of Labor used to fund an
<br />internship program with Hawaiʻi Community College. And so, we’re trying to revisit that and
<br />start all those discussions again, look at how we may be able to use the Federal WIOA funds.
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<br />And, yeah, focus on more on people in the trades. And we’re also working with Alu Like—just
<br />two weeks ago I had a meeting with Councilmember Onishi, Alu Like, and a couple of our
<br />department heads. So, looking at different ways where we can create those pathways and
<br />connect with people at different levels. So, wanting to bridge those gaps between people who
<br />have associate’s degrees or some college, no college, straight out of high school. So, trying to
<br />find different opportunities for us to connect—but then, also, to give opportunities for people to
<br />come and work for the County short-term, see what that’s like, gain some of that experience,
<br />understand how our system operates—so that then, yeah, they’ll have—they’ll be, hopefully,
<br />more interested in coming to work for the County but also understand how the process works.
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<br />So, we’re continuing to meet with HCC to address that, and try and develop those programs.
<br />So—
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<br />MR. AGUINALDO: I think that is good, ‘cause I used to do, like, when dire need—the college
<br />needed a guest speaker. So, I go and encourage—not kids, but young adults on their career path.
<br />It’s just giving the opportunity. So, like, I know Fire, law enforcement—we got to all understand
<br />is—ho, we’re growing. We’re growing so fast that what we going do, right?
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<br />Like, for me, it’s trades—it’s not a problem having trades people in that—but more so, if they’re
<br />like, “Eh, I like try the County”—then I encourage them. But sometimes they, like, “Ho, how
<br />we going apply? Like, I don’t know all this online stuff.” I’m not saying they’re not educated,
<br />but they’re not so—
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<br />SPEAKER: (Inaudible.)
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<br />MR. AGUINALDO: Yeah, tech. savvy—and that’s where I feel that having a career day, taking
<br />their name down, help them to apply. I think—and then go through that process—the word is
<br />you got to take the time. You no make the time for people, we’re not going get where we need
<br />to be. And that’s where the customer service going—and there are great people out there.
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<br />Yeah, try, maybe that—maybe, I would even come and help. Yeah. That would be something
<br />really good, ‘cause I see the list—I continue to see the list. I even like encourage Isabella—my
<br />daughter, but she’s majoring in Biology—like, oh, you had something with biology in the
<br />County—I would make her even apply.
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<br />So, it’s things, too—we got to step outside of the box already. Just step outside and, maybe—
<br />however we can work—structure that. I’ll even help—maybe in different events—I mean, the
<br />Civic is—big parking lot—something, not that would be County Career Day or something you
<br />can call them—have all the different departments. They can be on the waiting list. And, if not,
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