Students Gain Hands-On Learning in Aviation Industry Careers
Island Air recently honored 15 students who graduated from its Explorers Program, a 10-week mentorship program that allows high school and college students to learn about career opportunities in the aviation industry.
“It’s inspiring to see young men and women from the Islands develop such a passion for learning about the aviation industry,” said David Uchiyama, acting president and chief executive officer of Island Air. “The skills and knowledge the students gain through Island Air’s Explorers Program will help prepare them for careers in the airline industry or whatever path they might pursue.”
Explorers are offered an in-depth, hands-on overview of the airline industry, learning everything from how airplanes operate to customer relations management and corporate responsibility. This year’s graduating class was the first to experience the same cockpit procedure training as Island Air’s own pilots. The students were able to see a visual display of taxi, takeoffs, landings and approaches in real time. With realistic sound, Air Traffic Control chatter, weather and the local Hawai‘i environment, students had the opportunity to practice the checklists used during the different stages of flying.
In addition to mentorship, the top achiever in each graduating class earns the Jaime Wagatsuma Award, a $1,500 scholarship named in honor of the program advisor and pilot for both Island Air and Aloha Airlines who lost her battle with cancer in 2007. This year’s recipient is Shainna Estepa, a senior at Castle High School, who will continue her education this Fall in Honolulu Community College’s Aeronautics Maintenance Technology Program.
The 15 graduates include:
Caleb Alexander – Kahuku High School, Senior
Noah Clark – Castle High School, Junior
Gabriel Dionio – Campbell High School, Senior
Shainna Estepa – Castle High School, Senior
Napua Ho – Kailua High School, Senior
Ginger Kropik – Kapolei High School, Senior
Sheryl Malapit – Kapi‘olani Community College
Kolby Muranaka – Roosevelt High School, Senior
Joshua Niles-Dancy – Kapolei High School, Senior
Rylee Okura – Roosevelt High School, Senior
Jonah Saclausa – Kaiser High School, Junior
Kairis Shove – Kapolei High School, Junior
Dorian Verdugo – Castle High School, Sophomore
Daniel Wong – Mid-Pacific Institute, Sophomore
Jimmy Zhao – Kaiser High School, Junior
Island Air’s Explorers Program is the only student workforce initiative in the aviation industry in Hawai‘i. Since its founding eight years ago, 121 students have completed the course. Many graduates have returned to Island Air for internships or full-time employment.
For more information, visit www.islandair.com/explorers-program.