MILILANI – Kuʻi Hao, in partnership with the U.S. Department of War Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, TECHnista, and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education celebrated the opening of the nation’s first high school MEERA lab at Mililani High School.
The first-of-its-kind facility brings hands-on, industry-relevant manufacturing education directly into the classroom, expanding opportunities for Hawai‘i students to build technical skills, explore advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades, and learn about career pathways available in Hawai‘i.
“Hawai‘i needs a strong pipeline of skilled workers to fill high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, ship repair and other critical industrial trades,” said Pono Chong, co-director of Kuʻi Hao. “IBAS’s investments in MEERA gives Mililani students early access to industry-relevant equipment and curriculum, while advancing Kuʻi Hao’s mission to connect education, defense and industry so Hawai‘i students can prepare for careers here at home.”
Developed by TECHnista, MEERA is a competency-based K–12 manufacturing education program designed to inspire and train the next generation of the manufacturing workforce. The turnkey program combines applied learning labs, industry-aligned curriculum and technology, and a teacher training network to support classroom implementation.
“Launching MEERA High School at Mililani High School strengthens the talent pathway established through MEERA middle schools by building on both career exposure and technical competence.” said James Hubbard, COO and owner of TECHnista. “By connecting students to Hawaiʻi’s defense and advanced manufacturing workforce ecosystem, the program positions them for their next step in career and technical education (CTE), postsecondary, and workforce training opportunities while opening doors to meaningful, high-demand careers.”
The MEERA lab at Mililani High School is one component of IBAS’s $1.75 million statewide investment in MEERA manufacturing education, which also supports programs at six Hawai‘i middle schools across O‘ahu: Aiea Intermediate, Aliamanu Middle, Dole Intermediate, Mililani Middle, Wahiawā Middle, and Waipahu Intermediate. MEERA programs are expected to serve more than 1,400 Hawai‘i students during the 2026-27 school year.
“One of the most important things we can do for our students is give them opportunities to connect what they’re learning in school with the careers and possibilities ahead of them,” Keith Hayashi, superintendent of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, said. “This lab gives students hands-on experience with the same kinds of technology and equipment being used in today’s advanced manufacturing industry, while introducing them to high-demand careers they can pursue right here in Hawaiʻi. Opportunities like these help prepare our students to compete anywhere while giving them more reasons and pathways to build their futures here at home.”
Mililani High School was selected for the first high school MEERA lab in part because of its strong pipeline to careers within Hawaiʻi’s shipyard workforce and the school’s commitment to expanding career and technical education opportunities for its students.
As the nation’s first MEERA high school lab, the Mililani facility gives students hands-on access to desktop CNC machines, collaborative robots, 3D printers, laser cutters and welding simulators. The lab also includes equipment for non-destructive testing, metrology and other manufacturing applications.
“Mililani High School is proud to be the first school in the nation to have this high-tech program and the opportunity it affords our students,” said Fred Murphy, principal of Mililani High school.
“I speak for my classmates when I say we are literally counting down the days before we can get our hands on the robot arms, 3D printers, CNCs and welding simulators,” said Kyle Le, junior at Mililani High School. “But it’s not just about being able to use all this cool tech, it’s about building a head start for our future. All these tools and machinery are the same ones that professionals are able to use in the field… Thank you for bringing this lab to our campus, for investing in us and putting the tools in our hands so that we can build our own future.”
The opening of the Mililani High School MEERA lab advances Kuʻi Hao’s broader efforts to build Hawaiʻi’s industrial workforce pipeline from K–12 education, postsecondary training and employment.
In 2025, Kuʻi Hao facilitated the partnership between IBAS and Honolulu Community College to launch the Advanced Manufacturing Program Facility, which provides hands-on training for highdemand careers in advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades. Together, these initiatives are creating a more connected pathway for Hawaiʻi students to build their skills, continue their training and pursue careers here at home that support the state’s industrial base.
