Hawaiian Trades Academy

Building pathways that will uplift lāhui and generate economic empowerment in Hawai‘i households.

About Hawaiian Trades Academy

Since its inception in 2019, the Hawaiian Trades Academy has delivered 45+ academies spanning Kaua’i, Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu; and, serviced over 1,000 students in:

Carpentry
Craftsmanship
CDL-A Licensing
Fire Exam Prep
Police Exam Prep
Solar Energy
Safety Health & Training
Creative Arts

We are exploring more programs to deliver across the pae’aina. Accelerator classes take place over a 3-14 week span. Participants learn and develop trades skills, gain mentoring, and leave the program with various certifications, like CDL-A license, OSHA 10/30, Vectorworks, First Aid/CPR and AED. All academies include trades-training by an industry professional, Native Hawaiian cultural enrichment, financial empowerment, and job readiness.

STATISTICS

45+ academies statewide
900+ program graduates
2500+ household members supported
$2,000,000+ grand funding obtained

Free Workforce Training Classes for Maui Residents

CNHAʻs Hawaiian Trades Academy is offering free workforce training classes to Maui residents interested in clean-up and rebuild-related jobs. Check out below for our active programs and application link to apply.
We continually seek community feedback to stay informed of immediate workforce needs / interest, which helps us plan for more or new programs. Fill out the Interest Form below to let us know what program(s) you are interested in.

Sign-Up Form

Am I a good fit?

Eligibility

18 years and older (specific age requirements may apply for certain programs)
Hawaiʻi resident
Interested/passionate in starting a trade career
Looking to learn new skills and change careers

Fill out the interest form below to receive future announcements and notifications about upcoming programs.

Interest Form

If you are interested in attending an O’ahu or Maui CDL permit prep class and/or the Oahu or Maui CDL-A training cohort, please submit an application here.

Please note that applying does not guarantee enrollment. If you need an update on a submitted application, please reference your APPLICATION SUBMISSION NUMBER to expedite your request.

Questions? Please contact us at (808)596-8155 or trades@hawaiiancouncil.org

Hawaiian Trades Academy Oahu Solar Program Graduation

Interested In Being an Instructor/Collaborator?

Fill out the interest form to share more with our Program Managers. We want to work with industry professionals to help build on our pathways that will uplift lāhui and generate economic empowerment in Hawai‘i households.

Instructor Interest Form

CDL Licensing

Maui & O‘ahu

Living on an island means many of our goods are shipped or flown in. The trucking industry is vital for moving cargo from Hawaiʻi ports and airports to their final destination. The Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Program is designed to provide hands-on training to students interested in driving commercial vehicles. The CDL-A program focuses on obtaining a CDL Class A license. The course is taught by experienced CDL-A licensed professionals.

About the Program

The CDL program consists of seven phases:

Phase 1: Orientation

Overview of course expectations, format, and schedule, and students meet fellow classmates, CDL instructors, and program staff.

Phase 2: Hawaiian cultural enrichment & FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

Students gain cultural perspective and sense of place as a Hawaiʻi islander in a class with CNHA’s cultural ambassador. Students gain financial education to help empower them to manage finances with the anticipation of a new/advanced job and increased wage.

Phase 3: Theory training

Students receive training that utilizes lessons from the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL” that helps them to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional, and safe drivers.

Phase 4: Simulator training

Students spend time in a driving simulator (SIM) learning how to operate a manual transmission class A commercial motor vehicle (truck) while being guided by the instructor. The SIM provides adaptive training, including interactive shifting and backing modules to help students prepare for behind-the-wheel training.

Phase 5: RANGE & Road Training

Students get behind the wheel of a real rig alongside the instructor, where information learned from Theory training and skills practiced in the SIM are applied in this live setting to prepare students for the CDL skills test to earn their CDL-A license.

Phase 6: Job readiness

Students are offered assistance in creating/updating a resume and sharing basic interview skills and techniques to help them be job-ready for employment.

Phase 7: CDL SKILLS TESTING

When deemed ready by the instructor, students schedule themselves for the county CDL skills test with the CDL Office, at which time the instructor will accompany the student on Exam day.

GRADUATION

Students are honored for their accomplishments at a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.

Requirements

Must be 21 years of age or older (industry standard)
Must possess a valid driver’s license
Must submit a copy of a valid Hawaiʻi CDL-A permit
Must submit a copy of current medical examiner’s certificate (Form MCSA-5876) completed by a qualified medical examiner on the national registry of certified medical examiners
Must pay for fees associated with the CDL-A skills test appointment and license

The fee for the course is $250 and does not include industry related fees and expenses.

NOTE: Space is extremely limited. The CDL-A permit is mandatory for consideration, but does not guarantee acceptance into the program.

Notes about the CDL-A Permit

There is free or relatively low cost curriculum to study and help prepare for the permit test on your own. Since the A-permit is a REQUIREMENT for CNHA’s CDL Program, we share these tips on preparing for the permit:

Study the CDL Manual by purchasing a hard copy or downloading the online version at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2020/01/Final-Proof-CDL-Alternate-Margin.pdf. The hard copy is $8.00 and can be bought at the Commercial Driver Licensing Office at 897 Second Street in Pearl City. Study the manual diligently for the three permit tests: general knowledge, air brakes, and combination. You must pass all three to get the permit. All three do NOT have to be passed at the same time, but you need to pass general knowledge before being allowed to take air brakes and/or combination.
Download one of many apps to supplement the material in the Manual. For your reference some of the apps are entitled “CDL Prep,” “CDL Prep Practice Test 2022,” and “CDL Permit Test 2022.” Check out this helpful CDL Test Prep mobile app for iPhone and Android.
Watch videos on YouTube. Some of the videos are entitled “How to Get Your CDL Permit – Pass the First Time – Driving Academy,” “2020 CDL Questions General Knowledge Exam #1,” and “CDL Air Brakes Test Questions and Answers.”
Scheduling a testing day and time.
- Maui: go to https://www.mauicounty.gov/1543/Class-A-B-C-Permits
- Oʻahu: go to alohaq.net to schedule. The costs are $30 permit application fee, $15 general knowledge test fee, and $5 fee each to take the air brake and combination tests.
Submit to CDL Office a copy of your current medical examiner’s certificate (Form MCSA-5876) completed by a qualified medical examiner on the national registry of certified medical examiners. Information on the medical and physical requirements is available at https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations (see Part 391.41, Physical qualifications for drivers).
Go to page 3 of the Manual for more detailed information on the permit test

Safety Certifications

Providing safety certifications (OSHA-10/30, HAZWOPER-40) and skills training necessary for the field of construction

Craftsmen (Construction)

O‘ahu

The goal of the Craftsmen Program is to help participants earn OSHA-10 and First Aid/CPR/AED certification, which are minimum requirements for entry level Craftsmen positions in the construction union. Participants who walk away with these certifications will gain valuable credentials that can provide opportunities for immediate hire in the union. Students will be taught by industry-certified professionals.

A subsequent component of the program is math test preparation that will help upskill participants in order to move up in position.

Oʻahu Class

Stay tuned for more information on this course. Join our Trades Interest list (see above) to receive upcoming email announcements and to learn more!

Carpentry

MAUI, MOLOKAʻI, OʻAHU

The Carpentry Program gives students hands-on opportunities to learn and hone skills necessary for entry level carpentry positions. The program introduces students to the foundational knowledge needed to prepare for employment in the carpentry trade and further opportunities for a career in the construction industry. Program graduates will receive trade certifications, such as, OSHA-10, Respiratory, or First Aid that add value to a resume. The course is taught by experienced industry professionals.

Past Programs – Gallery of programs held on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu coming soon.

Police Exam Prep

Kaua‘i, Maui, O‘ahu

The Police Program helps students prepare for a career in the Police Department at select counties in the state of Hawaiʻi. Tailored to the specific county, the program aims to help students develop skills and critical thinking needed in law enforcement, and is designed to assist students in successfully navigating the Police Academy examinations through test-taking strategies and mentoring from active and/or retired staff and leaders from the police department.

Maui Classes

In-person classes in Kahului! Remote/distance learning options available. The Program will be taught by an industry professional with experience working with Maui Police Department. The course runs approximately 10 weeks long; including orientation, classroom instruction, Financial Empowerment/ Job Readiness, Hawaiian Cultural Enrichment, and Graduation.

18 years and older may apply. Start training now for this amazing career opportunity. Please note that MPD requires all candidates for employment as a Police Officer 1 to be at least 20 years of age.

Training is FREE due to grants from our sponsors. However, a $100 REFUNDABLE PARTICIATION DEPOSIT will be due on the first day of class, then returned to students who successfully complete the program.

Firefighter Exam prep

Kaua‘i, Oʻahu

The Firefighter Program helps students prepare for a career in the Fire Department at select counties in the state of Hawaiʻi. Tailored to the specific county, the program aims to help students learn about the Fire Department’s application process, develop skills and critical thinking tools to prepare for the written exam and physical agility test, and gain first-hand knowledge and mentoring from active and/or retired staff and leaders from the fire department.

Past Programs – Gallery of programs held on Kaua‘i and Oʻahu coming soon.

Solar Energy

The Solar Energy Program gives students in-class and hands-on learning to gain the skills necessary for entry-level solar installation positions. The program introduces students to the foundational knowledge of Photovoltaics using industry-certified curriculum needed to prepare for employment in the solar trade and further opportunities for a career in the solar industry. Students will also receive OSHA-10 certification. The course is taught by industry-certified professionals.

Our Team

Manasseh Santos

Program Manager

Nass began working at CNHA as a program specialist within the Housing Stability Services Program under the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Department. While occupying this role, he was responsible for connecting program applicants to necessary resources and services ensuring stability within the household via referral. He was the designated program representative responsible for working with partner organizations such as Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH) and Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP) as one of the main goals of HSS is eviction prevention. In his current position as a part of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, Nass oversees the program and supervises 2 program staff. Nass’ work also includes implementing workforce development training and certification classes, with the intent of strengthening Hawai’i’s workforce in different trade industries, and providing local people with the opportunity to live here in Hawai’i more comfortably by receiving higher paying jobs through the skills and certifications they earned through the academy. Nass also looks to develop relations with employers within industries that are relevant to the academies being offered. Although the academy does not provide direct-to-hire, the goal is to present our graduates with employment opportunities offered by companies, organizations, and unions within our employer network. Maintaining relations with applicants, students, and graduates is also a vital part of Nass’ kuleana that allows for the academy to constantly explore how we can better serve the community. Prior to CNHA, Nass was an All Source Intelligence Analyst serving on Active Duty within the Air Force and has since transitioned to the Air Force Reserves. Nass has a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Grand Canyon University and an Associates Degree in Intelligence Studies from the Community College of the Air Force.

Working together to serve our community.

As a driver of change and solutions, CNHA knows that the collective impact is greater when communities come together and find ways to complement the work that we do. The Hawaiian Trades Academy appreciates all of its sponsors, partners, and industry professionals who helped support the delivery of our training programs. Mahalo nui loa!

MAHALO NUI LOA!

Community Partners

Blue Line Investments, LLC, County of Kauaʻi, Friends of Kauaʻi Fire Department, Kauaʻi Community College Office of Continuing Education and Training, Kauaʻi Police Department, Leigh’s CDL Training LLC, Makaha Cultural Learning Center