More than 150 Hawaiʻi high school students discovered new interests, developed practical skills and explored career opportunities during Honolulu Community College’s fourth annual Summer Career and Technical Education (CTE) Academy 2026.
The program proved transformative for Kyle Wills-Liang, a Kamehameha Schools student who participated in the five-week academy.
“One thing that I enjoyed was exploring different career pathways that interest me,” shared Wills-Liang. ”Before this summer, I was unsure if I wanted to study computer science or music in college, but after the CTE Academy, I know that I want to do both. I was also able to take away new skills that I learned during this program.”
Carpentry, fashion, welding, more!
The academy, which ran from June 12 through July 16, allowed students to rotate through three different program areas of their choosing, including automotive technology, carpentry, fashion, welding and more. Beyond classroom instruction, students connected with faculty, explored campus resources and visited the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum to learn about maritime history and related careers.
“I think my CTE experience was very positive because it gave me a glimpse of college life and introduced me to different career opportunities,” said Kamehameha Schools student Sachi Hasegawa-Lamb. “Although I took a variety of courses, the cosmetology program stood out as a career I may pursue in the future. I also enjoyed the field trips because they exposed us to even more career paths beyond what we learned in class.”
The academy concluded with a ceremony celebrating these student accomplishments, marking another successful year of uncovering passions and helping Hawaiʻi’s youth take meaningful steps toward their future.
“The Summer CTE Academy is more than just a summer program, it’s a hands-on stepping stone for high schoolers to find their path,” said Preshess Willets-Vaquilar, dean of transportation and trades programs at Honolulu CC. “Students don’t just learn about future careers; they experience them firsthand, build lasting connections, and gain skills that last a lifetime.”
— By Iris Greges and Amelia Oldham