On Monday, the Hawaii Department of Education and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii celebrated the graduation of three student interns — Shalei Gano, Dusan Ognjanovic, and Cody Higaki — at Moanalua Media Center who were part of a workforce training program for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

What You Need To Know

  • This year marks the 6th anniversary of Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Project SEARCH, which has supported the graduation of 34 students

  • The program is designed to prepare young adults ages 18 to 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities for employment through real-world work experiences

  • Over the past six years, 75% of Project SEARCH graduates either secured employment or participated in paid internship programs elsewhere

This year marks the 6th anniversary of Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with Project SEARCH, which has supported the graduation of 34 students. The program is designed to prepare young adults ages 18 to 21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities for employment through real-world work experiences. 

“Our Project Search program instructors work with students during the course of an entire school year in a business setting,” said John Erickson, Aiea-Moanalua-Radford complex area superintendent for the Hawaii Department of Education, in a news release. “The students learn hard, soft and transferrable skills that they can take out into the community to apply for jobs, do interviews and give them the confidence they need in the workplace.”

Over the past six years, 75% of Project SEARCH graduates either secured employment or participated in paid internship programs elsewhere. Also, two graduates are currently attending college.

“The hospital cross-trains them in different departments, teaching skills that can transfer to other industries,” said Andrew Giles, chief operations officer at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii. “It’s an inspiration to see the students’ determination, grit and hard work, and some have graduated on to become a permanent part of our Kaiser Permanente family, earning a livable wage while serving our community.” 

Interns learned about care delivery, and worked in the hospital’s central supply department, same-day service, environmental services, nutrition department, and the gift shop.

“College wasn’t on my radar,” said Justice Routon, who graduated from Project SEARCH in 2021. “After Project SEARCH, I’m now pursuing my degree and working at Kaiser Permanente, helping to keep facilities clean. I’m proud of our interns graduating today and want to say congratulations. We can change the world someday.”