Page 3 - MidWeek Kauai - Feb 15, 2023

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PeopleON THE MOVE Compiled by Karen Iwamoto, kiwamoto@midweek.com
Program Builds Leaders, Kuleana
By Nicole Lim, executive director of Movers and Shakas
FEBRUARY 15, 2023 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 3
Aaron Babling is general manager of Kōloa Landing Resort at Po‘ipū. He brings more than 20 years of experience managing five-star properties, resorts, hotels, independent and branded products, and high-end and lifestyle properties. Brambling was most recently the general manager of AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore, where he helped the property earn “best in class” in all facets by Marriott Properties.
Lisa Ledesma was named a top producer for January by Homebridge Financial Services in Hawai‘i. She is a mortgage loan originator in the company’s Kaua‘i office. She has 35 years of experience in the industry and previously worked for Bank of Hawai‘i and Wells Fargo. Outside of work, she has completed five Ironman Triathlons, 15 triathlons and 25 marathons — including the 2021 Boston Marathon.
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move home to Hawai‘i during the pandemic. That’s when I first discovered Movers and Shakas, a program attracting remote workers to actively contribute to the state. The program was met with much fanfare, but I wondered, “Why would we bring more people to the islands during a pandem- ic?” as I penned an op-ed piece voicing my concern. After the advisory board read my arti- cle, they serendipitously in- vited me to lead the program as executive director to make improvements.
As Hawai‘i continued to re- cover from the pandemic and remote work evolved, Movers and Shakas shifted its focus to the Hawai‘i Talent Onboard Program (HITOP) last year as a place-based immersion pro- gram to help employers retain
Aaron Babling
Lisa Ledesma
To date, HITOP has success- fully completed two cohorts and acculturated 60 partici- pants from organizations such as Bank of Hawaiʻi, First Ha- waiian Bank, the state Depart- ment of Education, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Hawaiian Air- lines, HMSA, Kaiser Perma- nente, Kamehameha Schools, Punahou School, The Queen’s Health System, Servco Pacific, University of Hawai‘i Founda- tion, the U.S. Army, YMCA of Honolulu and more.
fter nearly 20 years living away for work, I made the decision to
For participants, the program helps build a sense of kuleana for Hawai‘i’s people and land.
Hawai‘i Talent Onboard Program’s six-week program features, in part, community workdays with partners such as The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together, as well as Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Institute for Human Services and others. PHOTO COURTESY MOVERS AND SHAKAS
talent hired from the continent and help new transplants bet- ter understand Hawai‘i and build a sense of belonging as new members of the commu- nity. The six-week program includes community workdays with partners such as Kāko‘o ‘Ōiwi, Institute for Human Services and The Pantry by Feeding Hawai‘i Together, as well as leadership training workshops, networking events
island school
(808)-246-0233 www.ischool.org

Pre-K through 12th Grade.
Tours are available by appointment Visit today!
and talk-story sessions through partnerships with ‘Iolani Pal- ace, community leaders and cultural practitioners.
Based on surveys from HI- TOP’s fall 2022 cohort, 90% of participants improved their work effectiveness and deep- ened their sense of belonging in Hawai‘i.
For employers, the program improves leadership effective- ness and boosts retention while lowering turnover costs. For the state, the program bridg- es economic and community needs, integrates newcomers into the community, and grows its talent pool and economy.
Registration is now open for our third cohort, which will commence in April. Visit moversandshakas.org/enroll.
Creating that
“place of peace
and balance”
in your garden
(808) 828-6400
www.gardenpondskauai.com
In Kilauea, next to Mini Golf • Open Wed-Sun • 12 to 5 pm
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