The Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, in collaboration with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, West-MEC, and the Si Robin Foundation, is excited to announce the debut of the Aviation Pathways: A&P Program — a comprehensive, tuition-free, two-year training course aimed at preparing Oʻahu high school juniors for careers in aviation maintenance and mechanics. Starting August 4, 2025, the program will provide participating students with expert mentorship, practical hands-on training, and essential technical instruction needed to work toward an FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certification. Classes will be held at the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters, located near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, serving an inaugural group of 10 students from both public Department of Education schools and Kamehameha Schools. Students will attend classes Monday through Thursday, with Fridays reserved for their regular high school coursework.
Supporting this initiative, Hawaiian Airlines is dedicating a full-time aviation maintenance A&P instructor from its team, while Alaska Airlines is contributing 10 fully equipped toolboxes to enhance the hands-on learning experience. John Hiltz, CEO of Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, remarked, “This program offers an outstanding pathway for young people to enter a rewarding and in-demand field within aviation. We are proud to support the development of Hawai‘i’s future workforce while honoring the island’s rich aviation heritage.”
Graduates of the program will not only earn their high school diplomas but also qualify to take the FAA certification exam, opening doors to careers as Aviation Maintenance Technicians, Aircraft Repairmen, or Aircraft Quality Assurance Inspectors. Jim Landers, senior vice president of technical operations at Hawaiian Airlines, added, “These partnerships create a vital foundation for Hawai‘i’s aspiring aviation professionals to begin their careers right here at home. We look forward to welcoming these skilled graduates into our ‘ohana and helping them build meaningful careers within Hawai‘i’s airline industry.”
Programs like Aviation Pathways: A&P are essential to strengthening Hawai‘i’s economy and community by equipping local youth with specialized skills that encourage them to stay, contribute, and thrive in their home state. This initiative reflects a commitment to fostering innovation, resilience, and pride in Hawai‘i’s future. This exciting program is made possible through the generous support of Hawaiian Airlines, West-MEC, the Si Robin Foundation, the Hawaii Wing of the Civil Air Patrol, Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., USAF (Ret.), Eileen Mosolino, and Rick and Teresa Price. Their dedication to education, workforce readiness, and youth development is shaping the next generation of aviation professionals on Oʻahu. To learn more about the program, how to support this initiative, and view all supporters, visit: https://www.pearlharboraviationmuseum.org/education/individual-programs/aviation-pathways-ap
Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is more than a museum—it’s a place where history, innovation, and inspiration come together. Located on Historic Ford Island, the site of the December 7, 1941 attack, the Museum stands on America’s World War II aviation battlefield. Visitors can walk through bullet-scarred hangars, see legendary aircraft like the Japanese Zero and B-17 Swamp Ghost, and hear the powerful stories of the heroes who changed the course of history. Beyond preserving the past, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum is committed to shaping the future. Through youth programs, scholarships, and workforce development initiatives, the Museum educates and empowers the next generation. From signature events like PHAMily Fun Day to hands-on STEM experiences, flight simulators and more, the Museum connects people of all ages with the wonder of flight and the importance of history. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Museum relies on donations, volunteers, and members to fulfill its mission: to steward America’s WWII aviation battlefield and inspire future generations through education and remembrance. Join us, support our work, or plan your visit at PearlHarborAviationMuseum.org.
