More than 250 students from Kamehameha Schools along with Junior ROTC students from Hilo, Kealakehe and Konawaena High Schools participated in Career Day organized and led by the staff from U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area on March 19-20.
More than 250 students from Kamehameha Schools along with Junior ROTC students from Hilo, Kealakehe and Konawaena High Schools participated in Career Day organized and led by the staff from U.S. Army Garrison Pohakuloa Training Area on March 19-20.
The groups learned the overall mission of PTA. Discussions included a variety of careers needed to support the operation of the base, including cultural anthropologists, natural resource managers, engineers, electricians, plumbers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and police.
Students also were provided an overview of the cultural and natural resources programs. They learned about threatened and endangered species and cultural sites of interest at PTA. The staff provided a hands-on learning environment where students could ask questions and learn more about the work being done to identify and protect PTA’s endangered plants and animals.
“Coming to PTA was such an educational field trip for our students to learn about all the various career fields that we had no idea existed at PTA,” said Kehaulani Puu, program manager of Kamehameha Schools.
Also on display was military and fire fighting equipment. PTA firefighters discussed their career path and equipment as did Marines who were training at the base.
Junior ROTC groups from Hilo, Kealakehe and Konawaena high schools were among the students present at Pohakuloa and completed some of their annual leadership training.
“This is the first time that all three Junior ROTC groups from the Big Island have come together,” said Lt. Col. Charles Furtado, Hilo High’s Junior ROTC advisor.
Kamehameha students completed a weeklong program that included PTA by presenting what they learned to their parents and faculty. Students enthusiastically shared all their experiences from the program.
“These groups of students were exceptionally astute and engaging throughout the visit,” said Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Eric P. Shwedo. “I am not sure who had more fun; the students or the staff, because it is always invigorating to engage with bright students like we had this week.”