The University of Hawaiʻi plays a pivotal role within a new statewide coalition dedicated to securing Hawaiʻi’s economic future. As a founding member of the “Generational Workforce Commitment,” UH is uniting with government, business and philanthropic sectors to ensure that by 2045, every resident has a clear path to a living-wage career.

“Building on the State Unified Plan, the Commitment takes a comprehensive, data-driven approach to ensure our keiki can build careers right here at home,” said Gov. Josh Green. “This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about generational change. When we align our schools, our university system, our employers and our state agencies around a common goal, we create real pathways for Hawaiʻi‘s families to earn living wages and thrive in our state.”

Learn, work, thrive

The initiative is driven by the Learn, Work, Thrive Hui—a coalition co-facilitated by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii and the Hawaiʻi Workforce Funders Collaborative (HWFC). HWFC acts as a catalyst organization, bringing philanthropic partners together to support a unified workforce strategy.

Matt Stevens, executive director of HWFC, noted that this shared governance is essential for solving entrenched economic issues.

“We know Hawaiʻi’s workforce challenges aren’t simple, and they can’t be solved alone by any one organization or stakeholder,” said Stevens. “This Commitment is about choosing to work differently over the long term: staying focused on shared outcomes, making tough decisions, and investing in what actually changes people’s lives”.

Strengthening educational pathways

Education systems are a critical part of ensuring that pathways to these outcomes are accessible, seamless and durable over time. Through the Commitment, alignment between the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and UH is strengthened, building the shared infrastructure needed to efficiently connect learners across the state to existing, unfilled good jobs today, while increasing the system’s ability to adapt as new industries and opportunities emerge over the coming decades.

“Expanding on sector partnerships and increasing work-based learning opportunities like internships are explicit goals of the Commitment, and aligned closely with UH’s strategic plan,” said Christine Beaule, UH director of workforce development.

“Our responsibility to the next generation is twofold: we must provide the rigorous academic preparation all students deserve and need, while creating the conditions that allow them to build a life in the islands,” added Stephen Schatz, executive director of Hawaii P–20 Partnerships for Education.

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