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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, December 9, 2003

Job fair targets Pacific islanders, Asians

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

The jobs are there, the people are there to fill them, but there is a often a cultural gap that needs to be bridged.

That is why the Samoan Service Providers Association, a nonprofit organization, is trying to bridge that gap with its first Pacific Islander Job Fair, an event aimed at preparing job seekers on every level for the employment opportunities awaiting them.

"It is not sufficient just to hold just a generic job fair for anyone to attend," said Leusoga Bill Emmsley, executive director of the association. "We need to target some of the most difficult groups, make these kind of strategic job fairs.

"We know where our people are, and we know the problems they go through to get jobs."

The event, which is expected to lure at least 300 Pacific island and Asian applicants as well as a few dozen employers, will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow at the Kuhio Park Terrace Resource Center.

Emmsley said interviewers at the fair will include employers in travel, banking, tourism, security, food service and the military.

The association, which also provides job-training referrals, will target especially those who live in Kuhio Park Terrace and other public housing projects.

For more information, call Pita Sala at 841-3994 or 842-0218.

Reach Vicki Viotti at vviotti@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8053.