HONOLULU (HI Now) - As the largest industrial employer in Hawai’i, the Shipyard plays a critical role in national security and local economic stability. It employs over 6,600 skilled workers, most of them kamaʻāina, and contributes millions annually to local businesses.
At the heart of the Shipyard’s future is the construction of Dry Dock 5—a $3.4 billion project, the largest in U.S. Navy history. This new facility will support the maintenance of Virginia-class submarines and marks the first dry dock built at Pearl Harbor since 1943.
More than just a job site, the Shipyard is home to one of Hawai’i’s strongest apprenticeship pipelines, especially through its partnership with Honolulu Community College. Programs in welding, engineering, and electrical trades are helping shape the next generation of high-tech, hands-on professionals—many of whom are multi-generational Shipyard families.
The Shipyard also works closely with public schools to promote STEM and trades education, showing that real-world technical skills are an essential part of the STEM landscape.
Voices like Captain Ryan D. McCrillis and General Foreman Brittany Quartero help bring the mission to life. Brittany, a Kamehameha Schools graduate from Windward Oʻahu, shares how the apprenticeship program transformed her life—and why she encourages other local youth to explore the same path.
For more information, visit www.macro.hawaii.gov
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