Hawaiʻi County American Job Center

The Hawaiʻi County American Job Center provides individualized career pathways, education and training opportunities, employment support and services, and HireNet Hawai‘i support. The American Job Center is located within the Waiākea Kai Shopping Plaza at 88 Kanoelehua Ave Suite A-204, Hilo, HI 96720.

• There is no charge for services.  
• Public computer access for HireNet registration and resume updates
• Employment counselors on-site
• Support services and training available for qualified participants
• One-Stop-Shop for a variety of free community services
• Job Fairs, informational sessions, resource and outreach events
• Veterans receive priority of services

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) Benefits

Workers, business owners, and self-employed individuals who were living or working in the affected area at the time of the major disaster and became unemployed or had their work hours reduced or interrupted as a direct result of the major disaster and do not qualify for regular unemployment insurance may be eligible for DUA benefits beginning the week of August 13, 2023, until the week ending February 10, 2024, as long as the individual’s unemployment continues to be a direct result of the disaster.

Application Deadline: All individuals who believe they qualify for DUA should apply as soon as possible. The deadline for filing DUA is 30 days after the date of this announcement; therefore, DUA applications must be submitted no later than September 25, 2023. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered untimely and DUA benefits may be denied unless the individual provides good cause for late filing.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Individuals whose employment (including self-employment) was lost or interrupted due to the wildfires can visit huiclaims.hawaii.gov or call 1-808-984-8400 to apply for unemployment insurance benefits. 

During a major disaster, the federal government can provide Disaster Unemployment Assistance for individuals who may not otherwise qualify for the state’s unemployment insurance benefits.

Adult & Dislocated Worker Program - Goodwill Hawai'i's Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) 

Visit the link to work with employment counselors who will help you land desired employment opportunities for free. It is designed to get workers over the barriers of unemployment and is targeted at a range of individuals to get as many people entering/re-entering the work force as fast as possible.

WALK-INS WELCOME! Services are at no charge to anyone 18 years or older who meet current eligibility criteria. Call your local American Job Center for details.

OPEN Monday - Friday 7:45 am - 4:30 pm!

Learn more at Goodwill Hawaii's Career Services webpage.

WIOA Youth Program, "Ola I Ka Hana" - Goodwill Hawaii FREE TRAINING AND TOOLS TO HELP YOU FIND A JOB 

Goodwill Hawaii’s Ola I Ka Hana program equips youth with the skills to achieve their academic, employment, and healthy living goals. Services are individualized based on the youth and their family input. The frequency of services is determined by individual needs.

You’ll find help with:
• Find entry-level work experience
• Build skills to obtain a High School Equivalency or GED
• Develop leadership skills
• Explore post-secondary education opportunities
• Live a healthier and more positive lifestyle

Learn more at Goodwill Hawaii's Career Services webpage.

 HI-CAN is a site designed to deliver data-driver career recommendations for users to leverage skills into career. It also pairs resources with this recommendation to explore job opportunities and training programs for that career. Overall, it is aimed at connecting jobseekers with proper avenues and providing resources for individuals to transition into these careers as smoothly as possible.

Hawaii Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) - State of Hawai'i's Department of Human Services

The division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides services to Hawai'i community members who experience employment barriers due to physical or cognitive disability. It was established to connect these job seekers with employment opportunities and support them as they secure employment. All of this is achieved through a network of connections with state agencies, private non-profits, and employers who provide the trainings, support, and workplace placement.

Hawai'i State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations Disaster - Recovery Jobs Portal 

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced the availability of a disaster recovery jobs portal for Maui to help workers and businesses impacted by the wildfires. The portal provides access to all currently available jobs on Maui as maintained by the DLIR.

For more information on job fairs and training opportunities visit click here.

HireMaui

The site, established for free use by the ALTRES Foundation, will allow for displaced workers to re-enter the workforce and for local companies to fill openings created by the Maui Wildfires. Through the portal, job seekers can search for temporary and long-term positions, and employers can post openings. The service is free — there is no cost to post a listing, or to search. Plus, the portal also features a link to community resources for housing, financial support and mental health services, among other needs.