HANAPEPE — Chef Wally Nishimura was looking for any kind of job related to cooking, and Debbie Flores of Anahola was filling out an application for the Morale, Wellness and Recreation department at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility.
“I just need something to do,” Flores said. “I thought I would come out and see what’s available. The base has always been someplace special to me because my husband passed away in the military, and I used to work for the federal government.”
Those were just two of a steady stream of employment-seekers who flowed through the Westside Job Fair Wednesday afternoon at the Hanapepe United Church of Christ social hall.
“This is a good place,” said Randall Francisco, one of the job-fair organizers and coordinators. “We’re right by the bus stop. There was a young man getting off the bus and came to check this out, spending almost an hour browsing and leaving with some applications. He said he was too shy to be interviewed.”
Francisco said the idea of having the Westside Job Fair came from the Kaua‘i Filipino Chamber of Commerce, where an individual from PMRF suggested they host an event because they had a great need to fill vacancies.
“The MWR Committee said they have 80 positions of different types available,” Francisco said. “We could help.”
Originally scheduled as 20-plus vendors offering employment, the event overflowed the social hall with up to 40 vendors, including the County of Kaua‘i, state Judiciary, Kaua‘i Police Department and others.
Adele Manera of Workforce Development was uncertain of the unemployment figures for Kaua’i, but is anxiously awaiting the January figures.
“We’ve got the highest unemployment rate in the state,” she said. “There are a lot of people from all areas looking for employees.”
One of those was Koloa Landing Resort that attracted a large following of people stopping to inquire about employment opportunities.
“We’re looking for positions in all areas,” said a representative of Sunshine Helicopters. “Full time, part-time, everything from shuttle drivers upwards.”
A representative from Lappert’s Ice Cream and Coffee said it’s good that business is doing so well.
“That’s one of the measures of success, when you’re busy,” he said. “We just need more people so we can take care of all those people who come in.”
Francisco said with the success of the Westside Job Fair, he and the other organizers are contemplating having a similar event in the central and eastern parts of the island.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
