Finding the right talent has never been easy, and in Hawaii’s current labor market, it’s become one of the most urgent challenges facing employers across industries. From hospitality and healthcare to construction and professional services, organizations are struggling not only to fill open roles, but to find candidates who align with their workplace culture, values, and business initiatives.

As the hiring landscape continues to shift, many employers are asking the same question:
Where do we find the right talent?

Turning Talent Insight into Action

Despite the hurdles, local employers are trying new ways of thinking: shifting toward skills-based hiring, streamlining application processes, and building more authentic employer brands that reflect who they truly are—not just what they do.

Others are looking inward, investing in upskilling, internal mobility, and leadership development to grow from within. Some are tapping into underutilized talent pools (such as returning kama‘āina, part-time workers, and those reentering the workforce) to unlock potential and build more resilient teams.

This spirit of innovation and action was front and center at Talent Summit 2025, where we came together with bold ideas, candid conversations, and a shared commitment to drive Hawaii’s workforce forward. From energizing keynotes to tool-based breakout sessions, the day brought us together to tackle talent challenges head-on and share strategies that help our organizations thrive.

Here’s What We Heard

Throughout the summit, a few themes popped up loud and clear:

• We want to design workplace cultures that inspire potential employees and retain the right talent.
• We’re ready to elevate HR and Talent as strategic drivers of innovation and change.
• We need the tools and strategies to lead through uncertainty and adapt with confidence.

These insights aren’t only inspiring, they’re actionable. And they’re shaping the programs we’re bringing to our members.

From Insight to Execution: Talent Advantage Workshop on July 24

You don’t have to wait to take the next step in your talent strategy.

Join us for the Talent Advantage: Attracting Key Talent workshop on Thursday, July 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. (in person). This session, at HEC’s Honolulu office, is designed to turn insight into impact.

Leveraging the summit’s momentum, this interactive workshop equips you with practical tools and strategies to:

• Strengthen your employer reputation and workplace culture
• Write job descriptions that matter and resonate with today’s candidates
• Tap into overlooked and creative talent pools
• Streamline hiring processes to have the competitive edge
• Lead interviews that reduce ghosting and keep candidates engaged

Whether your organization is beginning to rethink its hiring process, or is ready to deepen its talent strategy, this session will help move you from ideas to execution—with real solutions that work for Hawaii.

Register while seats are still available: The Talent Advantage: Attracting Key Talent - ETF-Approved - Hawaii Employers Council

You’ll leave with tools to start using right away.

Let’s keep the momentum going.
Build Your Talent Advantage.