Posted on: Saturday, September 20, 2003

Ko Olina offering training assistance

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

About 55 Leeward O'ahu residents will be awarded scholarships from the Ko Olina Training Fund, established as part of a commitment from the Ko Olina resort master developer that received $75 million in state tax credits earlier this year.

Ko Olina Co. agreed to contribute $2.5 million over six years to visitor industry worker training largely for Leeward O'ahu residents. The contribution was a condition of Gov. Linda Lingle's approval of the controversial tax credits, which will be used to help build a 75,000-square-foot aquarium at Ko Olina Resort & Marina in West Oahu.

Lingle is scheduled to speak Tuesday at a ceremony in Ko Olina where the scholarships will be awarded.

The 55 scholarships represent the first group of awards from the fund. About $500,000 will be distributed in the first year and more scholarships could be granted early next year.

Individual scholarships will be limited to $2,500 per year in most cases.

The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, owner of the land on which the aquarium will be built, also contributed to the fund.

Applications are still being taken, and anyone can apply for the scholarships until the Nov. 30 deadline. Preference is being given to Leeward O'ahu residents, from Honokai Hale to Ka'ena Point.

Individual recipients must complete vocational training or education related to a "broadly construed" visitor industry.

The training could include classes at community colleges, vocational schools and other workforce development programs focused on skills in culinary arts, hotel management, hula, maintenance and office work.

Institutions and organizations can also apply for grant money to develop training programs.

For applications, e-mail trainingfund@koolina.com.

Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470 or kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.