Kama’aina Come Home Expo Targets Returning Graduates

The Kama`aina Job Fair features companies seeking returning graduates and residents insterested in STEM jobs on Maui. Photo courtesy of MEDB.

By Sonia Isotov

The Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology (WIT) will host its first Kama’aina Come Home Expo at MEDB’s Ke Alahele Center in Kihei, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Expo is expected to attract former Hawaii residents and mainland college students interested in returning to the islands to work in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.

“The steady growth of large mainland firms, as well as expanding local businesses in Maui County has created a strong demand for kama’ainas seeking entry level and experienced positions,” said Mapu Quitazol, the program manager for WIT Project Manager, in a written statement.

“Our Kama’aina Come Home event is helping to bring home local talent to fill in-demand jobs.”

Kama’aina Come Home is a job placement program launched in 2006 as a collaborative effort between MEDB’s Women in Technology (WIT) and Kama’aina Careers, a Hawaii job referral company based on the West Coast.

The program connects kama’aina jobseekers to Maui-based employers who are looking for Hawaii born talent. Like MEDB’s annual Holiday Career Fair, the Kama’aina Come Home Expo allows qualified job seekers an opportunity to talk to potential employers.

“The difference between the two is that the kama’aina expo targets residents returning home in the summer and it puts a greater focus on learning more about the participating tech companies. Some companies will even be advertising jobs and internships,” Quitazol said.

To pre-register and upload your resume, please visit http://www.hightechmaui.com/kchexpo/registration1.cfm. Those who pre-register will be placed in the KCH database along with your resume for 3 years and will be accessible to the tech company partners.

The Kama’aina Come Home Expo is preceded by a Resume Writing Workshop the day before on Thursday, August 2, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the MEDB, Ke Alahele Center in Kihei. Jon Sakurai-Horita will help Expo attendees get their resumes ready. Space is limited. Please email mapu@medb.org to make a reservation.