HONOLULU (KHON2) — Waiʻanae High School is now home to the state’s first Health Learning Lab. It’s a major step toward building Hawaiʻi’s healthcare workforce. The project is being celebrated as a major step in bringing together school leaders, lawmakers, community groups and healthcare partners.
The lab is part of ʻAulama I Ke Ola, which means to light the torch to health and well-being. It transforms Building X into a training site where high school students will get hands-on clinical experience and earn certifications that lead to real jobs.
Once complete, the lab will prepare students for healthcare careers while they are still in school.
“This is more than just a renovation project; it’s a commitment to our students and their future,” said Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke. “By expanding career pathways in healthcare — right in our public schools — we’re creating opportunities for students to succeed and for communities to thrive.”
Meeting a statewide need
The Healthcare Association of Hawaiʻi (HAH) reports there are nearly 4,700 open healthcare positions across the state. Of those, they said that 44% are in entry-level roles. The Health Learning Lab is designed to help close that gap by starting career training earlier, in high school.
Students will get access to mentorship, certifications and job connections. The goal is to help them move directly into the workforce after graduation.
Model for other schools
Hilton Raethel, HAH president and CEO, said the project shows what is possible when groups work together to support students and grow the workforce.
“The construction at Waiʻanae High School marks the first ʻAulama I Ke Ola health learning lab — a transformative space designed to educate and inspire our keiki to become the healthcare leaders of tomorrow,” Raethel said. “This project represents what is possible when vision and partnership converge to develop best-in-the-nation health learning labs for high schoolers in Hawaiʻi.”
The lab at Waiʻanae is the first in a planned statewide network of similar training centers. The project is a partnership between HAH; the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education; and Hawaiʻi 3Rs, a nonprofit focused on school repair and renovation.
Pathway to employment
HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said workforce readiness must be part of public education.
“We know that education is a powerful driver of life opportunities, especially when paired with real-world skills,” Hayashi said. “The Health Learning Lab at Waiʻanae High is a model of what’s possible when we embed workforce preparation directly into students’ educational journey.”
You can click here to learn more about Waiʻanae High School.
Construction is expected to finish in January 2026.