Students from East Hawaii high schools are anxious to test their sales skills and show off the products they designed and manufactured during the Junior Achievement Trade Fair from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Black) Friday and Saturday at the Women’s Macy’s end of Price Kuhio Plaza.
The students are organized into three companies, each sponsored by a local business and advised by members of Hilo’s business community.
Synergy is the name of the student-operated company sponsored by Bank of Hawaii. Its mission is, “to create quality products through our creative talents and trustworthy mindsets.”
“Our stylish stone bracelets will be the highlight of the trade fair and our notepad sets are well-crafted and are great gifts for adults or students,” said company president Eric Tejada.
HFS Federal Credit Union sponsors Aloha Co., whose members created modern lanyards and pendant chain necklaces that they will sell at the trade fair.
“Both of our products go around the neck like a lei and here in Hawaii, when we give a lei, we are showing love and appreciation for that one person and that’s what we wanted to give to our customers but in a more modern way,” said Daniel Briski, vice President of production.
PONO (Pursuit of New Opportunities) is the Junior Achievement company sponsored by Big Island Toyota.
“At the trade fair, we’re introducing a unique hydro-flask accessory kit which includes a cover, handle and custom sticker,” said PONO’s president, Brittney Williams. “Our second product is a hand-screened T-shirt which we designed as a team.”
After an initial job interview, the students started in September by purchasing a share of stock in their company for $2. The companies then each selected leaders, decided on what products to market and manufactured their products, all the while accounting for all expenses and revenues.
After they close their books at the end of the year, based on the success of their company, most students will earn a return on their initial stock investment. All profits are returned to students in the form of dividends and awards, plus scholarships for graduating seniors in the program.
In addition to the Company Program conducted each fall, Junior Achievement of Hawaii Island teaches business and economics to nearly 4,000 East Hawaii students from kindergarten through high school each year through hundreds of volunteers.
For more information about JA programs on the Big Island, contact district manager Jeanine Acia at jahilo@jahawaii.org, visit www.jahi.org or see representatives at the trade fair.
