{"id":232107,"date":"2026-04-14T10:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=232107"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:50:47","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T20:50:47","slug":"kauai-cc-job-fair-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/14\/kauai-cc-job-fair-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Kauaʻi CC<\/abbr> students score career connections at job fair"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"More
More than 160 students attended the first career fair in more than 10 years.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Kauaʻi<\/span> Community College hosted its first career fair in more than a decade on April 2, with more than 160 students attending. The event highlighted a strong interest in career development and community connection, featuring a curated group of employers from diverse Kauaʻi<\/span> industries. Faculty connected students directly with industry professionals, and on-the-spot interviews were conducted, offering attendees a variety of full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities.<\/p>\n

\"Students
Students were connected with industry partners looking to hire full time, part time and interns.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

First-year culinary student Lilianna Afro-Lopez, who hopes to pursue a back-of-house role in the hospitality industry after graduation, appreciated the supportive, on-campus setting.<\/p>\n

“There are a couple of hotels needing help here, and it\u2019s good to get this experience,” Afro-Lopez said. “Having a career fair on campus is especially helpful for those who are looking for jobs. There are a lot of options.”<\/p>\n

‘It\u2019s about who you know’<\/h2>\n

Malia Hoʻokano<\/span>, a distance education student studying business through the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>–West Oʻahu<\/span> while working at Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> as a financial aid student employee, said the event offered valuable networking.<\/p>\n

\"Students
Students and alumni were able to attend the entire event, but were given priority access.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“This is a great opportunity for those who don\u2019t have much experience in the workforce, and it\u2019s good to make connections with people in your community,” Hoʻokano<\/span> said. “When the time comes to enter the workforce, students will have already met some people—and that\u2019s kind of how it is on Kauaʻi<\/span>. It\u2019s about who you know.”<\/p>\n

Career Counselor Melissa Henry noted that the strong turnout underscored the importance of creating more opportunities for students, graduates and the community to build connections with local employers.<\/p>\n

“While our primary focus was on student success, it was wonderful to open our doors to the public,” Henry said. “We look forward to inviting even more of our community to join us, extending the [priority access hour for students] and growing this into a successful annual tradition.”<\/p>\n

\"Student
Student government volunteered to play live music for the event and to help attendees.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kauaʻi<\/span> CC<\/abbr> students and alumni connected directly with industry professionals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":232115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[969,64,71],"class_list":["post-232107","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-career-development","tag-kauai-community-college","tag-uh-community-colleges","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t