Applications open: Office of Economic Revitalization launches first-of-its-kind AI training pilot for O‘ahu businesses and nonprofits
The City and County of Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization (OER), in partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow, will launch AI for Everyone at Work: Training Trainers to Teach Across Generations, a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative designed to help Oʻahu organizations introduce artificial intelligence in practical, responsible, and accessible ways for a multigenerational workforce.
Unlike a traditional workplace technology workshop, this free, one-day training program uses a “train-the-trainer” model to equip leaders in human resources, management, and team development to bring AI education directly to their employees. Participants will gain a working understanding of AI fundamentals, real-world workplace use cases, prompt-writing frameworks, and strategies for teaching AI responsibly to older adults and multigenerational teams.
Each participant will commit to delivering at least two internal training sessions within six months of completing the program, allowing organizations to build skills capacity from within.
AI is already becoming part of workplaces across Hawaiʻi, but many organizations, especially small businesses and nonprofits, are navigating its introduction without a clear roadmap. Common challenges include uncertainty about where to begin, concerns surrounding safety and privacy, the rapid pace of technological change, and limited access to practical training resources.
At the same time, Hawaiʻi's workforce is multigenerational, with many organizations relying on experienced employees who carry decades of institutional knowledge. As new technologies emerge, supporting those employees is essential to building a resilient, inclusive workforce.
“With the increasing speed in tech advancements and AI adoption, upskilling is critical for our local workforce,” says Amy Asselbaye, Executive Director at the Office of Economic Revitalization. “Through OER’s Workforce Development program in partnership with Māpunawai and Skilled Tomorrow, we’re excited to bring opportunities that lead to good jobs and technology upgrades to our local businesses and community.”
“AI has become one of the most valuable tools in my professional life. Without it, many of the things I accomplish today would take far more time, energy, and guesswork. It helps me become a stronger supervisor, a more effective trainer, and a better leader by allowing me to communicate clearly, solve problems faster, and turn simple ideas into polished, meaningful results,” says Daniel Uyemura, one of the instructors and a Trainer at Māpunawai. “AI helps me organize my thoughts, generate ideas, and find solutions that I may not have reached on my own. I advocate for the use of AI in the workplace and I’ve seen how it has transformed my employees into better trainers by giving them the confidence, metaphorical language, efficiency, and problem-solving skills to teach others more effectively.”
"We are currently experiencing two major societal shifts: the fastest technological acceleration in history and the unprecedented rise of the longevity economy. To build a strong and future-ready workforce in Hawaiʻi, we must include talent of all ages in the AI transformation,” says Dr. Sandra von Doetinchem, one of the instructors and Founder at Skilled Tomorrow. “Access to AI training remains uneven, and assumptions about who these tools serve persist. In a multigenerational workforce like Hawaiʻi’s, where five generations already work side-by-side, that matters. Through 'AI for Everyone at Work,' we equip trainers with the tools and knowledge to bridge the gap between emerging technologies and career longevity, supporting a skills-first workforce where professional expertise and experience is enhanced, not replaced, by AI."
The program is designed for leaders at Oʻahu-based small businesses and nonprofit organizations with 5 to 50 employees.
More information:
Ideal applicants work in HR, management, learning and development, or team leadership, and are ready to introduce AI thoughtfully within their organization.
No prior AI experience is required.
Applicants will need a letter of support from organizational leadership confirming their ability to participate and deliver post-training sessions.
Participants will receive resources, including presentation materials, handouts, and templates, to help them introduce AI concepts to their teams and collect feedback from staff who participate in the training.
A cohort of up to 12 participants will be selected, with notifications sent by June 3, 2026.
Qualified applicants not selected due to capacity will be placed on a waitlist.
Application required. Apply by May 27, 2026: www.revitalizeoahu.org/ai-for-everyone-at-work
About the Instructors:
Dr. Sandra von Doetinchem is the founder of Skilled Tomorrow and a nationally recognized expert on workforce transformation, lifelong learning, and aging. With 15 years of leadership experience at the intersection of workforce development, higher education, and corporate strategy, she specializes in helping organizations unlock the value of their 50+ workforce and support experienced professionals through purposeful transitions.
Daniel Uyemura serves as a Supervisor and Trainer for Māpunawai's Community Digital Navigators Program, where he leads a team of community-based tech support professionals focused on digital literacy. His training approach blends technical and soft skills and focuses on ethical use of technology, with a particular emphasis on AI, assistive technology, and building confidence in learners of all backgrounds.
