POTENTIAL BUYERS OF HMC WEST WILL BE AMONG PARTICIPANTS IN LEEWARD JOB AND CAREER FAIR JUNE 12

Over 1,000 Jobs Available at Fair

News Release from Rep Kym Pine (R-Ewa)

HONOLULU – Of the three potential buyers interested in purchasing the closed Hawaii Medical Center West facility, The Queen's Medical Center and Hawaii Pacific Health will be attending the Leeward Job and Career Fair. The hospitals hope to fill 450 job openings available at their current facilities. Job seekers are encouraged to connect with the two employers as the possibility is strong that one will be the new owner of the facility.

Many other Leeward Coast employers will participate in the fair. Child and Family Service, Kahi Mohala Behavioral Health, Kama‘aina Kids, Zippy’s, WalMart, Ko Olina Golf Club, Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club, and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf are among the many companies hiring at Leeward Coast locations. Safeway will be taking applications for its new Laulani Shopping Center store in ‘Ewa Beach scheduled to open later this year. The Pearl Harbor Navy Ship yard that employs thousands of Leeward residents will be on hand to educate applicants on what they will look for in their next hiring period.

The event is co-hosted by West Oahu Women Social & Business Network and the Office of Representative Kymberly Marcos Pine and is a response to requests by numerous Leeward residents who lost their jobs in the hospital closure and from the recession.

“The closing of Hawaii Medical Center and the economy have had a devastating impact on the people of the Leeward Coast. A job and career fair like this was needed to help connect residents with the many companies that are hiring now,” said Rep. Kymberly Pine. “We also want to encourage residents to seek jobs on the Leeward Coast to reduce traffic flow to downtown Honolulu and to improve their ability to spend more time with their family which helps give our community a solid foundation.”

Over 1,000 jobs will be available for job seekers to choose from. When visitors arrive they will be given a detailed list of the available jobs so they can tailor their visit. If they have not been able to get hired, the Society for Human Resource Management Hawaii Chapter will review resumes and offer tips on improving hiring possibilities. If a visitor is seeking a new career, the Leeward Community College Office of Continuing Education & Workforce Development will be on hand to offer ideas.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pine held an emergency community meeting with leaders from various hospitals, the State Department of Health, the city ambulance service and HMC West doctors to inform the community about their plans to ensure health needs were met. At the meeting, residents requested that more job opportunities on the Leeward Coast be provided.

For more information, please contact Rep. Pine's office at (808) 586-9730.

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