FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 10, 2006                         

STATE COUNCIL OF HAWAIIAN HOMESTEAD ASSOCIATIONS FILL & TRAIN TEN TECH JOBS

PAPAKOLEA, HI - The State Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations (SCHHA), under a grant with the Administration for Native Americans (ANA), has filled and trained 10 full-time technology jobs in the Papakolea community homestead. 

“We are thankful for Commissioner Quanah Crossland Stamps and the ANA in Washington DC for believing in our ability to train residents of Hawaiian homesteads in the technology sector,” said Paul Richards, SCHHA Executive Director.  “When Hawaiian Homestead Technology began operating production facilities in our communities, we wanted to help provide the training and employment outreach that would result in these jobs becoming permanent.”

The SCHHA is a statewide association of more than 25 community associations located in different Hawaiian Home Land communities.  Its mission is to advance the well-being of homestead communities and the residents that live there and to protect the federal trust established by the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920.

SCHHA’s two-year training project is supported by funding from the Administration of Native Americans within the federal Department of Health and Human Services.  ANA provides highly competitive grant funding for social and economic development projects in Native communities nationally, as well as language preservation grants to promote indigenous languages. 

The SCHHA jobs training project, in partnership with its community association members, identifies potential employees to be employed in the document conversion industry and coordinates intense computer skills training.  Applicants are reviewed, counseled and placed in available jobs located in either Waimanalo or Papakolea on Oahu.

“We realize and know job creation and sustainability is one of the keys to enhancing the quality of life in our communities,” Anthony Sang, SCHHA Chairman remarked.  “Focusing on quality job training connected to a technology based opportunity is an aspect we know we can help with.  Economic development is more than job training; it’s really all about economic self-sufficiency, one family at a time.  The leadership of community association Presidents like Puni Kekauoha in Papakolea, Annie Au Hoon of Kewalo and Steve Chun of Kalawahine Streamside is truly inspirational – these associations are the heart of their communities.”

Founded in 1987, the SCHHA is led by an elected Executive State Council with representatives from each county in the state and managed by an Executive Director.    For more information, contact Paul Richards at 808.523.2475 or prichards@schha.org.

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Client Media Contact:
Victoria Smith
CNHA COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Phone: 808.521.5011 or 800.709.2642
http://www.hawaiiancouncil.org/
http://www.hawaiianwayfund.org/
http://www.hhtech.net/
http://www.nativealliance.com/