Hawaiian Trades Academy
Building pathways that will uplift lāhui and generate economic empowerment in Hawai‘i households.
About Hawaiian Trades Academy
The Hawaiian Trades Academy launched in 2019 to provide workforce development for economically and socially disadvantaged communities. The program goal is to raise the household income of families in Hawaiʻi.
Since its inception in 2019, the Hawaiian Trades Academy has received over $1.3M in grants; delivered 12 academies spanning Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu; and, serviced over 390 students in Carpentry, CDL, Fire, Police, and Solar academies. We are exploring more programs to deliver across the pae ʻāina.
Accelerator classes take place over an 8-14-week span. Participants learn and develop trade skills, gain mentoring, and leave the program with numerous certifications, like CDL licenses, OSHA-10 certification, respiratory and/or First Aid training. All programs include financial empowerment and Hawaiʻi culture education, and job placement assistance.
Am I a good fit?
Eligibility
Fill out the interest form below to receive future announcements and notifications about upcoming programs.
In light of the recent events caused by the devastating wildfires on Maui, CNHA’s Hawaiian Trades Academy will be postponing the launch of our Maui CDL-A training program and info session. An update on when the info session and program launch will occur will be released at a later time when determined. The application portal will remain open for any of those still interested in applying. Mahalo for your understanding.
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.
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 and focuses on obtaining a CDL-A license.
About the Program
The CDL program consists of seven phases:
PHASE 1: ORIENTATION
Course expectations, format and schedule are discussed while also providing space to meet fellow classmates, CDL instructors, and HTA staff.
PHASE 2: HAWAIIAN CULTURAL ENRICHMENT
Participants gain cultural perspective and knowledge taught by CNHA’s cultural ambassador.
PHASE 3: THEORY TRAINING
CNHA’s CDL program utilizes the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL.” Participants receive accurate, up-to-date training that helps student drivers to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional and safe. Students are to study the assigned chapters on their own and take the exams online no later than the due date. Exam scores are sent to the federal government for review and recording and clearance is shared with the respective local County CDL Office.
PHASE 4: THEORY TRAINING
CNHA’s CDL program utilizes the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL.” Participants receive accurate, up-to-date training that helps student drivers to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional and safe. Students are to study the assigned chapters on their own and take the exams online no later than the due date. Exam scores are sent to the federal government for review and recording and clearance is shared with the respective local County CDL Office.
PHASE 5: THEORY TRAINING
CNHA’s CDL program utilizes the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL.” Participants receive accurate, up-to-date training that helps student drivers to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional and safe. Students are to study the assigned chapters on their own and take the exams online no later than the due date. Exam scores are sent to the federal government for review and recording and clearance is shared with the respective local County CDL Office.
PHASE 6: THEORY TRAINING
CNHA’s CDL program utilizes the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL.” Participants receive accurate, up-to-date training that helps student drivers to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional and safe. Students are to study the assigned chapters on their own and take the exams online no later than the due date. Exam scores are sent to the federal government for review and recording and clearance is shared with the respective local County CDL Office.
PHASE 7: GRADUATION
At the end of the program we take time to honor the hard work and accomplishments of all graduates.
Requirements
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:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.”
4. 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.
5. 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
6. Go to page 3 of the Manual for more detailed information on the permit test
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 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!
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
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.
Testimonials
Ella Aki
Program Graduate
“I was let go from my job due to COVID and in the process I was really in a position to pivot in terms of my career trajectory. I was really asking what that was going to look like, how was that going to happen? And when I received this email, I just thought this is it! This class gives me hope for my personal trajectory. It excites me that there are opportunities for our Native Hawaiian and local communities.”
Christian Manzano
Program Graduate
“I learned a lot. I didn’t know nothing going into this solar program, so I was like a fresh book. But now, having learned all these things, I feel pretty confident in working on the roofs installing.”
Working together to serve our community.
AAs 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!
Sponsors
Aloha United Way, City & County of Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs
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
What We Do
Rent & Mortgage Relief
We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.
Kilohana Collective
We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.
Rent & Mortgage Relief
We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.
Rent & Mortgage Relief
We can help you find the resources you need for your ʻohana to thrive -from mortage to utilities and assistance programs.