Upskill Your Way to a Better Future in Hawaii: Local Resources to Help You Earn More—and Save More

When it comes to financial wellness, one of the most common pieces of advice is to “start saving.” But let’s be real: saving money is hard to do when you don’t have enough coming in. We’re sharing resources and insights designed to enrich your life and support your financial wellness—all in the spirit of helping you reach your possible.

Financial health starts with opportunity. And one of the most powerful ways to take control of your future is to upskill—that is, to learn new skills or earn credentials that can increase your earning potential. Whether you’re just starting out, returning to the workforce, or exploring a career change, there are a wide range of programs to help you gain in-demand skills, find meaningful work, and ultimately boost your ability to save.

From job training and night classes to side-hustle support and free childcare, here are ways you may be able to start leveling up your earning power.

Why Upskilling Matters—Especially in Hawaii

Living in our islands comes with many unique blessings—but also some serious financial challenges. We have one of the highest costs of living in the country, and for many local families, even working full time isn’t always enough to make ends meet. That’s where upskilling comes in.

Upskilling means investing in yourself. It can look like learning a trade, earning a certificate, brushing up on digital skills, or starting a side business. These steps can lead to:

• Higher-paying jobs
• Greater job security
• Flexible income streams
• Better long-term financial resilience

And the good news? You may not need a four-year degree or a huge budget to get started.

1. Hawaiian Trades Academy: Building Skills for Hands-On Careers

If you’re interested in high-demand fields like construction, energy, or transportation, the Hawaiian Trades Academy is a powerful launching pad. Run by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), the Academy provides free training programs across the islands to prepare residents for careers in skilled trades.

Participants gain hands-on experience, industry certifications, and even direct job placement support. Training topics have included:

• Commercial driver’s license (CDL) preparation
• Carpentry and construction skills
• Solar energy and PV installation
• Firefighter and police department prep

Why it matters: These industries often pay above-average wages and provide steady employment—without requiring a traditional college degree.

Get started: hawaiiancouncil.org/programs/trades/

2. Goodwill Hawaii: Job Training and Placement Services

Goodwill Hawaii does more than operate retail stores. They’re also a key partner in workforce development, offering no-cost job training, coaching, and placement services for individuals facing barriers to employment.

Whether you need help updating your resume, exploring career paths, or gaining digital skills, Goodwill Hawaii’s employment counselors can support you on your journey. Some programs also offer paid work experience or on-the-job training.

Goodwill also serves youth, adults, and kupuna—and even helps with expungement (erasing the record of criminal conviction or sealed from state or federal records) support for people re-entering the workforce after incarceration.

Get started: goodwillhawaii.org

3. Na Lima Hana: Connecting You with Local Employers

Na Lima Hana (meaning “many working hands”) is a workforce development initiative from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs that connects Native Hawaiian job seekers with employment opportunities, training programs, and career coaching.

What makes Na Lima Hana especially helpful is their focus on holistic support. They understand that success isn’t just about the job—it’s about navigating all the challenges that come with it, from transportation to childcare to cultural identity.

What’s offered:

• Job readiness workshops
• Financial literacy training
• Employer referrals
• Certification and licensing support

Get started: Na Lima Hana Employment Services Program

4. University of Hawaii Community Colleges: Good Jobs Hawaii

Across the UH system, the Good Jobs Hawaii initiative is helping local residents quickly train for in-demand industries—often at no cost.

This program offers short-term certifications (many in just a few months) in fields such as:

• Healthcare (e.g. Certified Nurse Aide, Medical Billing)
• IT and cybersecurity
• Skilled trades
• Hospitality and tourism
• Clean energy

Participants also receive wraparound support including career coaching, job placement assistance, and in many cases, free tuition through federal and state grants.

Evening and online options are available, making it easier to balance learning with work and family life.

Get started: goodjobshawaii.org

5. YWCA Oahu: Dress for Success and Career Readiness

Looking to enter or re-enter the workforce with confidence? The YWCA Oʻahu’s Dress for Success program offers more than just professional clothing—it provides career development, interview preparation, and networking opportunities for women looking to take the next step.

Why it matters: Gaining employment isn’t just about having the right skills—it’s also about presentation, mindset, and support. Programs like Dress for Success help women step into new roles with poise and purpose.

Additional offerings include:

• Resume and cover letter coaching
• Mock interviews
• Confidence-building workshops

Get started: ywcaoahu.org

6. Consider Night School or Online Learning

Already working during the day? You’re not alone. Many Hawaii residents are juggling multiple responsibilities, and that’s where night school and flexible online options shine.

Community colleges and training providers increasingly offer evening or self-paced classes in everything from healthcare to hospitality, entrepreneurship, and business management.

Flexible learning options include:

• Online courses with virtual instructors
• Hybrid formats (online + occasional in-person)
• Weekend and night classes

7. Start a Side Hustle: Turn Skills Into Income

Upskilling doesn’t always mean getting a new job—it can also mean building a side hustle around something you’re already good at.

Can you bake, sew, repair small engines, design graphics, do nails, or tutor kids? Turn your talent into a small business or weekend gig. Hawaii has a rich ecosystem of entrepreneurs, and starting small is perfectly okay.

Local resources to help you get started:

• Hawaii Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Free business coaching
• Mana Up Hawaii – Accelerator for local product-based businesses
• Innovate Hawaii – Support for tech and manufacturing startups
• INPEACE Center for Entrepreneurship – Support for family-owned business start-ups on the Leeward Coast of Oahu

Don’t Let Childcare Be a Barrier

For many working parents, the biggest obstacle to upskilling is simple: Who’s going to watch the kids? Thankfully, many of the programs above can offer or connect participants with free or subsidized childcare so they can attend classes or training sessions. For example:

• University of Hawaii Community Colleges can provide childcare assistance for eligible students
• CNHA and Na Lima Hana offer holistic support that may include childcare solutions
• Local nonprofits like PATCH and Child Care Connection Hawaii help families access affordable care options 

Pro tip: When exploring a job training or education program, always ask about childcare—there may be support available you didn’t expect.

Ready to Upskill? Here’s Your First Step

If you’ve been wanting to earn more, change jobs, or simply take back control of your finances, there’s never been a better time to start.

1. Pick one path—certification, training, or side hustle
2. Reach out to a program or attend an info session
3. Ask about free tuition, childcare, or job placement help
4. Set a savings goal with your new income

At Bank of Hawaii, we’re here to help you build not just a better bank balance—but a better life.  Learn a skill. Earn more. Save stronger. And when you’re ready, we’re here to help you make the most of your hard-earned money with savings accounts, checking accounts and sound advice to help you reach your possible.