Kailia Purdy

During the last few years, we’ve shared many stories illustrating UH Maui College’s commitment to helping to prepare Maui Nui’s future workforce. As we embark on this holiday season, we present you with inspirational stories about two recent graduates, both of whom are now working in the construction industry. And although these two young women traveled different paths, they have both achieved success. And we’re thrilled to have been part of both journeys.

Kailia Purdy grew up in the same house where her grandparents raised her mother and her uncles. “I’m the second youngest of six grandchildren and much of my childhood was shaped by my grandpa, a true man of all trades,” she says. He spent part of his professional life working in construction as a plasterer.

It was during COVID-19 that Kailia began to think seriously about her future. “I knew I wanted to work outdoors, but I wasn’t sure which trade to pursue. During that time, I worked alongside my grandpa to renovate our house and discovered how much I enjoyed working with my hands,” she recalls.

For her senior (high school) project, Kailia shadowed an electrician and found the field practical and fascinating. When she came to our college in Fall 2022, she enrolled in an introductory construction course. “We learned about safety and even painted the Carpentry Office on campus,” she says. And that sealed the deal – she would pursue an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology with a focus on Facilities Mechanical.

After three semesters, while waiting for some of her required courses to be offered, she seized some hands-on-experience opportunities through internships with Yap’s Electric and Johnson Controls. Then she returned to complete her degree. “Through the program, I completed courses in Electrical, Blueprint Reading, Welding, Carpentry, Plumbing, and First Aid/CPR. I also fulfilled academic requirements in Math, Science, English, History, and a Spreadsheet class.” Last May, we conferred exactly one Associate in Applied Science Degree in Construction Technology with a focus on Facilities Mechanical and, yes, the conferee was Kailia Purdy.

“The hands-on skills from Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, and Welding gave me the confidence to take on real-world projects – whether it was helping with home repairs, assisting family and friends, or contributing to community projects,” she continues. And even before graduation, Kailia secured a position as a Project Engineer with Rider, Levett, & Bucknall.

Quincee Tanaka

After graduating from Maui High School, Quincee Tanaka enrolled at our college and earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. Although no one in her family works in the construction trades – “my dad is pretty handy with tools despite not working in construction,” she says – she had been interested in construction for some time. So, while earning her degree, she took a couple of construction courses – basic tools and framing.

Fast forward a couple of years after graduation. “Through my UH email I get updates about continuing education classes,” says Quincee. That’s how she learned about our eight-week pre-apprenticeship program – a partnership with Good Jobs Hawai’i and the Hawai’i Carpenter’s Union and funded by an anonymous donor. “I took the pre-apprenticeship Carpentry course which includes two weeks of on-the-job-training.” Upon completion, she became a union member. And last August, she secured a position as a framer with La’au Structures, a framing contractor here on Maui.

“She is a diamond in the rough, we identified it immediately,” says La’au Structures Superintendent Brian Davis. “Our favorite characteristics of a good employee are a good attitude and work ethic, and she has them in spades. We feel lucky to have her, and if all goes as planned, we will have her for a long time to come.”

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention that Quincee along with all the students in the UHMC construction-related courses worked on our Hale Pāpa’i project. The Maui Strong Fund at Hawaiʻi Community Foundation provided all the materials needed to construct beautiful storage sheds for fire-displaced folks in Lahaina. We’re very proud that just a couple of weeks ago, the 50th shed was delivered.

Yes, you, too, can do something great right here at home. To learn more about Good Jobs Hawai’i, please visit https://uhcc.hawaii.edu/goodjobshawaii/index.php

For complete information about UH Maui College, please visit http://maui.hawaii.edu/

Dr. Lui K. Hokoana is Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. Ka’ana Mana’o, which means “sharing thoughts,” is scheduled to appear on the fourth Thursday of each month. It is prepared with assistance from UH-Maui College staff and is intended to provide the community of Maui County with information about opportunities available through the college at its Kahului campus and its education centers.