State of Recruiting – Piʻikū Co. Panel

Let's be honest— the job market is rough right now. 🚮🔥 Applications disappear into the void, AI is muddying up who's human vs a robot, and for those of us in Hawaiʻi, there's that lingering question: are there actually opportunities here, or do we have to leave to build the career we want?

Let's unravel this together!

As part of Piʻikū Co.'s Speaker Series, we are bringing together recruiters, hiring leaders, and career strategists who are working in this reality to have an honest conversation about the job market: what's broken, what's working, and what local job seekers actually need to know to move forward.

What to Expect:

🎤 45-minute panel — Honest, unfiltered talk on the hiring landscape, AI's impact on the job search, and what it actually takes to stand out right now. Moderated by May Sermonia, Operations Director at Piʻikū Co.

Panelists:

• Tim Kamanā — Technical Recruiter, Candid Health; born and raised on Oʻahu, on the front lines of hiring engineers in a post-AI job market.
• Sarah Guay — President & CEO, Hawaiʻi Employers Council; representing 800+ local employers on what they're hiring for and why.
• Evan Leong — CEO, Brain Gain Hawaiʻi; boutique executive recruiter specializing in local placement and bringing Hawaiʻi talent home.

👀 60–75 minutes of talk story/networking in the Hawaiʻi Inspiration Museum event space. Enjoy drinks as you connect with your community. 🍹

Who Should Attend:

Job seekers, career changers, engineers, designers, students, and anyone trying to figure out what their next move looks like in this market.

About Piʻikū Co.:

Piʻikū Co. is a nonprofit based in Hawaiʻi that runs workforce development and innovation programs rooted in local culture. We believe in building tech for our community by elevating kamaʻāina and kānaka voices, creating pathways into tech, and shaping futures where Hawaiʻi leads.

About Hawaiʻi Inspiration Museum:

​The Hawaiʻi Inspiration Museum is a planned interactive space that celebrates the stories of local leaders, past and present, igniting pride, possibility, and purpose in the next generation.

Parking:

Aaliʻi Parking Garage offers low-cost municipal parking and $3 parking in the evening (cash only).

🔗 Purchase Tickets Here