4 Maui Teams Compete in Auto Skills Competition

2013 – Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition, file photo courtesy AAA Hawaiʻi.

By Wendy Osher

Four teams from Maui will compete in an upcoming statewide student auto skills competition taking place this later this month on Oʻahu.

Two teams each from Maui High School and King Kekaulike are competing in the 2014 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition, scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at Honolulu Community College.

Event organizers say students will showcase their skills in the hands-on competition by repairing deliberately bugged 2014 Fords to demonstrate their ability to succeed as automotive repair technicians.

2013 – Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition, file photo courtesy AAA Hawaiʻi.

The Maui teams include the following: Jahstyn Aweau and Cameo-Noel Kusunoki from Maui High School, under the direction of instructor Shannon Rowe; Chayce Mimura and Devin Vea from Maui High School, under the direction of instructor Dennis Sasai; Jack Klingman and Jerami Rother of King Kekaulike, under the direction of instructor Peter Kovacic; and Brian Amoral and Adam King of King Kekaulike, under the direction of instructor Matt Doty.

Event organizers say the automotive industry remains one of the nation’s “in-demand and well-paying careers.”

2013 – Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition, file photo courtesy AAA Hawaiʻi.

AAA Hawaiʻi chairman, Avo Asdourian said the competition is aimed at attracting more young adults into the profession.

The winner of the upcoming statewide competition will participate in the finals of the 2014 national championship in June on the mainland.