Hawaiian Airlines have teamed up with Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to launch a certification program that prepares high school students for careers in aviation maintenance.
The program, called Aviation Pathways: Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Program, is a no-cost, two-year training initiative designed to teach Oʻahu high school juniors some of the skills required in aviation maintenance and mechanics.
Other partners in the program include Alaska Airlines, West-MEC and the Si Robin Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on aerospace scholarships.
The immersive program officially began on August 4, 2025. It offers students mentorships, hands-on instructions and the technical knowledge needed to pursue a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) A&P license.
FAA A&P license holders are allowed to perform maintenance and repair on aircraft, ensuring their airworthiness. Holders can work independently as aircraft mechanics, performing tasks such as inspections, repairs and overhauls on various aircraft components.
The program takes place at the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and serves an initial batch of 10 students from both Department of Education schools and Kamehameha Schools.
Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are providing key instructional and equipment resources. Hawaiian is contributing a full-time aviation maintenance A&P instructor from its existing workforce, while Alaska Airlines is equipping the classroom with 10 toolboxes to support hands-on student training.
Students who complete the program will graduate high school as well as become eligible to test for FAA certification and pursue roles such as aviation maintenance technician, aircraft repairman or aircraft quality assurance inspector.