
Shaping a future where Hawaiʻi residents and communities thrive
as the foundation of a resilient economy.
HAWAIʻI WORKFORCE FUNDERS COLLABORATIVE REPORT
From crisis to opportunity: Building Hawaiʻi’s workforce resilience
Speaking to Hawaiʻi’s current moment of uncertainty and opportunity.
HWFC created this report because we believe that investing in local data capacity and coalition building positions us to turn the unfolding workforce and education crisis into an opportunity. This report lays out a foundational context and framework that is both specific and flexible, designed to respond to the layered pressures and evolving challenges Hawaiʻi’s workforce faces now and into the foreseeable future.
Hawaiʻi is in a workforce crisis. In the next decade, nearly 30% of residents will face a lack of viable opportunities to build a sustainable future here. Our goal is to ensure that by 2035, 100% of working-age residents have access to family-sustaining, future-ready careers.
From Crisis to Opportunity: Building Hawaiʻi’s Workforce Resilience includes:
Analysis of Hawaiʻi's workforce crisis that highlights the shortfall of living-wage jobs for young people;
Examination of interconnected challenges including job quality, geographic disparities, and training misalignment;
Case studies illustrating these issues' impact on individuals;
Strategic recommendations for work-based learning, sector partnerships, reskilling initiatives, and career counseling;
Actionable steps for various stakeholders to contribute to this vision.
Click below to access the report and online resources organized by stakeholder group.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK AWAY
FROM BUSINESS AS USUAL
Learn why we must work together and develop bold new strategies if we want to ensure that all Hawaiʻi resident have equitable access to a good job.

Taking action
From funding initiatives to convening with communities to developing data solutions, HWFC takes an integrated approach to solving the challenges of Hawaiʻi’s workforce.