About Hawaiian Trades Academy
Since its inception in 2019, the Hawaiian Trades Academy has delivered 45+ academies spanning Kaua’i, Maui, Moloka’i, and O’ahu; and, serviced over 1,000 students in:
- Carpentry
- Craftsmanship
- CDL-A Licensing
- Fire Exam Prep
- Police Exam Prep
- Solar Energy
- Safety Health & Training
- Creative Arts
We are exploring more programs to deliver across the pae’āina. Accelerator classes take place over a 3-14 week span. Participants learn and develop trades skills, gain mentoring, and leave the program with various certifications, like CDL-A license, OSHA 10/30, Vectorworks, First Aid/CPR and AED. All academies include trades-training by an industry professional, Native Hawaiian cultural enrichment, financial empowerment, and job readiness.
STATISTICS
- 45+ academies statewide
- 900+ program graduates
- 2,500+ household members supported
- $2,000,000+ grant funding obtained
Free Workforce Training Classes for Maui Residents
- CNHA’s Hawaiian Trades Academy is offering free workforce training classes to Maui residents interested in clean-up and rebuild-related jobs. Check out below for our active programs and application link to apply.
- We continually seek community feedback to stay informed of immediate workforce needs / interest, which helps us plan for more or new programs. Fill out the Interest Form below to let us know what program(s) you are interested in.
Am I a good fit?
Eligibility
- 18 years and older (specific age requirements may apply for certain programs)
- Hawaiʻi resident
- Interested/passionate in starting a trade career
- Looking to learn new skills and change careers
Fill out the interest form below to receive future announcements and notifications about upcoming programs.
If you are interested in attending an O’ahu or Maui CDL permit prep class and/or the Oahu or Maui CDL-A training cohort, please submit an application here.
Please note that applying does not guarantee enrollment. If you need an update on a submitted application, please reference your APPLICATION SUBMISSION NUMBER to expedite your request.
Questions? Please contact us at (808)596-8155 or trades@hawaiiancouncil.org
Interested in Being an Instructor/Collaborator?
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. The CDL-A program focuses on obtaining a CDL Class A license. The course is taught by experienced CDL-A licensed professionals.
About the Program
The CDL program consists of seven phases:
Phase 1: Orientation
Overview of course expectations, format, and schedule, and students meet fellow classmates, CDL instructors, and program staff.
Phase 2: Hawaiian cultural enrichment & FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT
Students gain cultural perspective and sense of place as a Hawaiʻi islander in a class with CNHA’s cultural ambassador. Students gain financial education to help empower them to manage finances with the anticipation of a new/advanced job and increased wage.
Phase 3: Theory training
Students receive training that utilizes lessons from the J.J. Keller book “Entry-Level Driver Training Obtaining a CDL” that helps them to be knowledgeable, skilled, professional, and safe drivers.
Phase 4: Simulator training
Students spend time in a driving simulator (SIM) learning how to operate a manual transmission class A commercial motor vehicle (truck) while being guided by the instructor. The SIM provides adaptive training, including interactive shifting and backing modules to help students prepare for behind-the-wheel training.
Phase 5: RANGE & Road Training
Students get behind the wheel of a real rig alongside the instructor, where information learned from Theory training and skills practiced in the SIM are applied in this live setting to prepare students for the CDL skills test to earn their CDL-A license.
Phase 6: Job readiness
Students are offered assistance in creating/updating a resume and sharing basic interview skills and techniques to help them be job-ready for employment.
Phase 7: CDL SKILLS TESTING
When deemed ready by the instructor, students schedule themselves for the county CDL skills test with the CDL Office, at which time the instructor will accompany the student on Exam day.
GRADUATION
Students are honored for their accomplishments at a graduation ceremony at the end of the program.
Requirements
- Must be 21 years of age or older (industry standard)
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Must submit a copy of a valid Hawaiʻi CDL-A permit
- Must submit a copy of current medical examiner’s certificate (Form MCSA-5876) completed by a qualified medical examiner on the national registry of certified medical examiners
- Must pay for fees associated with the CDL-A skills test appointment and license
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
- Scheduling a testing day and time.
- 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.
- 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
Safety Certifications
Providing safety certifications (OSHA-10/30, HAZWOPER-40) and skills training necessary for the field of construction
Production Arts Technical Training Program
An innovative initiative designed to equip local talent with skills needed for careers in live entertainment and stage production
Previous Trades Programs
Craftsmen (Construction)
The goal of the Craftsman Program is to help students earn workforce certifications, such as OSHA-10 and First Aid/CPR/AED, which are minimum requirements for entry level positions in the construction field. Workforce certifications make job seekers more employable and ready-to-hire into construction unions and/or companies. The course is taught by industry-certified professionals.
Carpentry
The Carpentry Program gives students hands-on opportunities to learn and hone skills necessary for entry level carpentry positions. The program introduces students to the foundational knowledge needed to prepare for employment in the carpentry trade and further opportunities for a career in the construction industry. Program graduates will receive trade certifications, such as, OSHA-10, Respiratory, or First Aid that add value to a resume. The course is taught by experienced industry professionals.
Police Exam Prep
The Police Officer Exam Prep Program helps students prepare for a career in law enforcement at county or state departments in 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 officer examinations through test-taking strategies, plus gain first-hand knowledge and mentoring from active and retired staff/leaders in the local police service.
Firefighter Exam Prep
The Firefighter Exam Prep Program helps students prepare for a career in the fire service at county or state departments in Hawaiʻi. Tailored to the specific county, the program aims to help students learn about the application process, develop skills and critical thinking to prepare them for the firefighter written and physical exams, plus gain first-hand knowledge from active and retired staff/leaders in the local fire service.
Solar Energy
The Solar Energy Program gives students in-class and hands-on learning to gain the skills necessary for entry-level solar installation positions. The program introduces students to the foundational knowledge of Photovoltaics using industry-certified curriculum needed to prepare for employment in the solar trade and further opportunities for a career in the solar industry. Students will also receive OSHA-10 certification. The course is taught by industry-certified professionals.
Our Team
Manasseh Santos
Program Manager
Nass began working at CNHA as a program specialist within the Housing Stability Services Program under the Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) Department. While occupying this role, he was responsible for connecting program applicants to necessary resources and services ensuring stability within the household via referral. He was the designated program representative responsible for working with partner organizations such as Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH) and Mediation Center of the Pacific (MCP) as one of the main goals of HSS is eviction prevention. In his current position as a part of the Hawaiian Trades Academy, Nass oversees the program and supervises two program staff members. Nass’ work also includes implementing workforce development training and certification classes, with the intent of strengthening Hawai’i’s workforce in different trade industries, and providing local people with the opportunity to live here in Hawai’i more comfortably by receiving higher paying jobs through the skills and certifications they earned through the academy. Nass also looks to develop relations with employers within industries that are relevant to the academies being offered. Although the academy does not provide direct-to-hire, the goal is to present our graduates with employment opportunities offered by companies, organizations, and unions within our employer network. Maintaining relations with applicants, students, and graduates is also a vital part of Nass’ kuleana that allows for the academy to constantly explore how we can better serve the community. Prior to CNHA, Nass was an All Source Intelligence Analyst servicing on Active Duty within the Air Force. Nass has a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Grand Canyon University and an Associates Degree in Intelligence Studies from the Community College of the Air Force.
Working together to serve our community.
As 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
Kilohana is a collaborative of complementary change agents committed to fulfilling HTA’s vision and specific directives.
Community Programs
Our community programs work with members of our community to develop the skills and resources needed to thrive.
Join Our Community
Become a CNHA member to get the opportunity to join other kānaka in lifting, empowering and inspiring our lāhui.
Questions regarding our programs and services?
Call us at 808-596-8155