Need a guard card!? Look no further than Transcend. I was in need of a guard card and fortunately…read moremy training was paid for. The booking process is easy and available online. The course is an 8 hour in class training. The classroom is located off Piikoi and Kapiolani in the National Bank Building. Parking isn't available. Pro tip is to park at Ala Moana and walk over. It's a two minute walk from the Foodland farms parking. As for the class it started at 8:30 am which I think it the typical time. My class size was actually pretty small (6) which made it great for conversational learning. Typically the class is about 20-30 people or so. You need to bring an ID to verify your registration. Then you receive your test packet and answer key. The class covers all the state mandated topics need to attain your guard card. Each topic is broken down and then your are tested on it. It's not difficult, just pay attention and you will be fine. At the end of the day you will receive your guard certification. The instructor/owner of Transcend is Jeff. He is absolutely amazing. He is very personable and professional. He also makes the content easy to understand and also has a good sense of humor. He made the day go by quite quickly and he allowed us to take breaks and we also breakers for lunch. I enjoyed his class and will definitely be getting my continued education training from Transcend when I need to get my renewal in a couple years. If your looking for a professional to lead a workplace violence or terroristic threatening preparedness class I would highly recommend him. His experience along with his teaching methods are very effective and extremely helpful.

I recently too the 8 hour initial guard training with Jeffrey Owens and was very impressed. I have…read morebeen to many seminars and courses regarding military training, interrogation, interview techniques, safety & health and others and this class was as good as it gets. I'm not saying it was the best I've ever been to, but it was as good as any I have ever been to. As people however, I do not think you will find a more pure soul and two people with more Aloha in their being than Jeff and his lovely wife Char. Thanks for making an educational experience a fun and meaningful one.

As part of my employer's leadership team, I was invited to the company's strategic planning…read moreretreat. As part of this retreat, a group of us were tasked to do a group presentation to address three questions. To help us prepare for this presentation, the firm hired Alt to facilitate the group discussion that would provide the basis of the presentation. What I loved about Alt and his style was that he knows how important it is to understand the group dynamic, so, prior to the retreat, he met with each participant to get to know us and find out what we individually hoped to get out of this retreat as well as our concerns. This was also to help him better facilitate the group discussion. At the retreat itself, he did a fantastic job of facilitating the meeting by starting us off with the goal of the meeting and laying out ground rules to ensure we would stay focused on the topic at hand and be able to hear every participant's opinions, thoughts and questions in an organized and respectful manner. He made sure to block off time at the end to allow us time to discuss how we wanted to do the presentation and practice it. During this rehearsal, he gave us feedback and his thoughts on it. While he didn't have the chance to see it, the presentation went well. The second time the firm hired him was to do a training at our annual firm meeting. He did a fantastic job there, too. He reached out to people prior to the meeting to get a sense of the firm and be able to tailor his presentation to the group. He was mindful of the time as he had to cut some parts short. I loved the stories and anecdotes he shared to really bring in the points home about finding the work/personal life balance. Highly recommend Alt for meeting facilitation and trainings. Ever since the retreat, I have always looked forward to the next time I get to work with him.

I had the pleasure of attending one of Alts management classes and also utilized his services for…read moreour company's employees, and I must say, the experience was perfect! Alt is extremely responsive and is thorough in his communication. He provided clear instructions on what needed for the seminar to get the most of our time with him, and he even went the extra mile and customized scenarios to make them more relatable to our team. These personalized touches really had a big impact on our employees and made a significant difference, and our team recognized it. Alt is an incredible speaker and possesses a remarkable ability to engage his audience. Our team was able to connect with him on a deeper level based on his presentation and examples. I would recommend Pacific Training and Facility services. You will not be disappointed.

Located near HNL airport, it's on one of the side streets into the Honolulu / Waikiki area. Gated…read moreparking lot with approximately 20 stalls available, most without shade. The logo on the building blends in well but Google Maps directions are accurate. Inside of HEC has spacious conference rooms and work areas available for the community. Clean bathrooms and snack areas are available to guests. Great space to give presentations or host large groups / parties of people. Also note that they have a great staircase to take photos on. Pretty popular photo op.

pre-covid review:…read more The Hawaii Employers Council is a provider of professional labor relations services, so my boss called on them to provide our annual harassment prevention training for all employees. It was a nice change of pace and the first time having a speaker, we usually have to watch a video, or read a lengthy document, sign and acknowledge. Of course, it's always a dreadful feeling having walk in the room looking at the clock, wondering when is this going to be over. But the Hawaii Employers Council made it enjoyable and fun! and although there was some laughter, it was also a serious session that pressed the need to be able to identify inappropriate conduct, and respect in the workplace, (among other issues). Hawaii Employers Council also provided easy to follow handouts, and short video clip scenario's. They made the topics relatable, resourceful and motivating. There was great responses from my co-workers, and they showed a lot of interests and participation. Any employer that goes through these steps to get us educated, mean the well-being of his employees' is important, I know that my boss was satisfied.

My son and I attend Vietnamese school here on Sunday mornings from 8:30-10…read more My adult class also meets on Saturdays at my teacher's home from 4-6. My son's class meets via zoom on Wednesday evenings. The instructors are so patient and kind. This school stands out from other schools because they recruit qualified instructors with teaching experience. The kids watch videos, read Vietnamese books, play games, listen to folk tales, sample Vietnamese snacks and cuisines, sing songs, etc. Every class starts together as a group with cultural immersion, then it goes into group classes divided by age or proficiency level. There's a big fundraiser at the end of the year and the students spend time at the end of class to prep for their performances. I love my adult class teacher, Cô Hà. She was a school principal in Vietnam. She is so funny and welcoming no matter what level you are at. She gives you individual attention if you don't understand and she tailors the class to meet the needs of the students. Since I have started learning Vietnamese again, I have felt more comfortable in speaking short sentences with my Vietnamese-speaking grandma, aunts and uncles when I visit them during the holidays. That is so valuable to me. I hope my son and I will reach a level of being confident to speak Vietnamese one day. We are also making connections with people from our ethnic community. Hopefully we can create a strong network to help each other up when we need each other.

The school Lead (Dr. Julius Pham) and his team of Support Staff/Teachers are wonderful. They…read moretirelessly volunteer their time to help our children (from 2 years old and up) and adult learn not only the Vietnamese language, but also the Vietnamese culture. My daughter was 1 year old when she started at the school, and she was truly a terror for most teachers. Yet, everyone was very kind, considerate, and accepting of her (and of us the parents). It's not about learning how to conjugate verbs and translating texts from English to Vietnamese. Rather, it's truly a language immersion experience. Students start the day by learning about Vietnamese Culture and its history...in a fun and interactive manner. Then, the students go into their individual classes, based upon age groups. For the 2-5 year old class, children are introduced to basic Vietnamese language skills, including singing and dancing to classic Vietnamese songs, and learning basic (useful) conversation skill. Vietnamese is the main language spoken here. But don't be afraid. Teachers are fluent in English, and will speak English when necessary to guide the students (and parents). I think this is truly the best way to learn a language. One other thing to note: Parents are encouraged to participate in the classes, and help the children learn. Even if you don't speak Vietnamese, being there with your children is a huge boost for their experience.

This is a wonderful ABA facility. The team is friendly, and communication is clear and concise. My…read morechild is autistic and mastered many skills while attending, including being more social. Dianna is knowledgeable, helpful, and observant. More importantly, they have parents sit in to see how their child has progressed. This also helps parents reinforce those learned task(s) at home.

Pacific Buddhist Academy is truly a gem. As a parent, I cannot express how grateful we are that we…read morefound this incredible school for our son. PBA is a small school with small classrooms and individualized attention, but what makes it truly special goes far beyond academics. This is a school where your child is welcomed with open arms and embraced for who they are. The teachers and staff genuinely take the time to know their students,not just as students, but as individuals. They care about their strengths, their struggles, their interests, and their growth. Our son came to PBA from a much larger private school where, when he made mistakes or struggled, the approach often felt focused on punishment and consequences. PBA showed us that there is another way. Through its Buddhist philosophy and values of compassion, patience, gratitude, and understanding. There is something incredibly special about knowing that the adults who spend their days with your child genuinely care about them. At PBA, students are seen. They are heard. They are encourage to think for themselves, to grow, to make mistakes, and to keep moving forward. The relationships between teachers and students are meaningful, and the sense of community is something we will always treasure. I have no words to adequately express how infinitely grateful we are to Pacific Buddhist Academy, its teachers, staff, and entire community. Choosing PBA for our son has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

We're not even sure how we first discovered PBA, but we're so grateful we did. From the moment we…read morejoined, it's been an incredible experience. The small class sizes mean our child gets individualized attention, and we've seen such growth both academically and personally. Josh, the headmaster, is outstanding--he's approachable, caring, and truly passionate about the school. He brings a sense of fun and warmth to the entire campus while maintaining a strong leadership presence. The entire staff is equally wonderful--dedicated, nurturing, and always willing to go the extra mile for the kids. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the PBA community. It's a hidden gem.

I had learned a very "crash course" version of EKG's during my med/surg rotation in school, but it…read morehadn't really stuck with me. I decided it would be good for me to learn them more in depth, outside of school. The website with the class schedule is ekgusa.com. Location is at Wayland Baptist University in Mililani Mauka. There was always ample parking at Wayland, which I liked. The building itself is small, but nice, new, and air-conditioned. :) One weird thing about Wayland U., is that on the front door there is a sign that very clearly says, "No food/drinks inside the building". But inside the building there is a big table with snacks/beverages/a Keurig machine where you can pick out anything you want "by donation". A little confusing, but I really like the effort they put into the snack table. Also, free WIFI. I had done a lot of research on different places offering EKG courses on Oahu, and the other places that offered EKG courses all never had a set schedule for the summer. EKG Skillbuilders was the only one that had a schedule up for the rest of the year. You can view the schedule online at http://www.ekgusa.com, and also register for the classes from that website. I really liked that you can reserve your spot online, but you don't have to pay until the first day of class. $190 for the 4 day EKG Basics course. Try to bring exact change if you pay in cash, since she doesn't seem to carry a change box. The EKG Basics course that I took was over a course of 4 days scheduled from 8:30 AM-3:30 PM. I was hesitant to sign up at first, because 4 days of just EKGs sounded incredibly boring, especially for 7 hours each day. In actuality, the days went by really quickly, and every day we got out early (getting out early depends on how the class is absorbing the information). You also get a whole hour for lunch (every day at 11 AM), which is ample time to drive off campus and go to the Mililani Mauka Shopping Center or Mililani Town Center for lunch (so many good places to choose from nearby). I believe some of the other places that offer EKG courses have classes that are much shorter (as in one day), but I really do not see how you could cover the amount of material in the depth that we studied in just one day. I highly recommend spacing it out over 4 days, because it is a LOT of material to absorb. I also like that there is no mandatory assigned homework or graded quizzes/tests. All of the quizzes are done in class as a group, so you don't have to stress about not passing the course. You put what you get into the course though, so if you really want to understanding EKGs, you will need to spend time practicing on your own time. For each of her EKG courses, you get a spiral bound book that the instructor (Sandy Gresham) wrote herself, using real EKG strips. By the end of the course, you get a TON of practice analyzing strips. The class is definitely interactive, and I like that you get to hear a lot of anecdotal, "real-life" stories that apply to what you are likely to see in an acute care setting. Pretty much all of the students in the class I took were working in an acute care setting. Things I recommend to bring to class: - jacket (it gets cold) - home lunch if you want to save money (there's a microwave) - cash/change for the snack bar - pens (I recommend bringing colored pens)--the book is in black and white so being able to mark on the strips in the book with a colored pen is extremely helpful - highlighters There are other different courses she offers, including "Beyond Basics EKG" and "12-Lead EKG". I still need time to absorb everything I learned from the Basics EKG course, but I'm interested in taking the 12-Lead. You do get a signed certificate at the end of each course, which is great for your resume and proof that you took the course. I think my favorite thing about choosing EKG Skillbuilders was that you can retake the course any time if you feel you need to refresh. You would just bring back your book and sit in on another class. Overall, I would highly recommend taking EKG classes here!

The Hawaii English Language Program (HELP) is a wonderful program for foreign people who are…read moreinterested in learning English! The Director of the school is Joel and he's awesome! The teachers love their job and their students! This school is small, but you feel like an ohana here!

I wanted to do this program…read more I interviewed with Judie Hudson. She was inappropriate throughout the course of the Skype interview Judie: What are you wearing? Me: Is the camera working ok? Can you see me alright? Judie You're wearing a T-Shirt, aren't you? Me: Ah, good; glad the camera's working. Judie: We have a dress code... Judie: How do you get money? Judie: What kind of medication are you on? Judie: Are you taking any medication? Me: [silence] Judie: Are you taking any medication or anything else? ... It's not her business what personal medical conditions I might or might not have! What does this have to do with the interview! Judie's corrections for the entry quiz | "She managed to do it". Judie: "Manage" implies struggle. Me: I don't infer that from the context of this sentence. Where are you getting that meaning? Judie: [Provided a new, completely different sentence: "She managed to unlock the door".] Me: In that example, OK, but in the original, I don't see how struggle is implied. Can we look it up on... Judie, interrupting loudly: Anyone can put up anything on the internet. Look, you need to know who to listen to. I've been doing this a long time and I learned from books. -- I never say such things to a student! I don't "teach" like this. I always encourage students to look things up online. If they have questions in class, great! If there's no time, we can talk after class. If there's something they know that I don't, great -- let's learn! While Judie was interrupting, I was looking up on etymonline and learned that "Manage" comes from latin and has to do with horsemanship, from the mane. I told Judie, who was not amused. Judie concluded the interview with a long monologue that can be summarized as: I have to state this now: If you're going to disrupt class with questions, you will be asked to leave. If this becomes a problem, you won't complete the program. The preemptive threat to remove me, should I challenge her authority, was unacceptable. I asked to talk to Joel Weaver about this and he refused. Joel suggested I take the CELTA program in Thailand. Why wouldn't he recommend the other CELTA program in Hawaii, at ICC? I don't know. Maybe they badmouthed me behind my back and let Judie know how bad I was so that they would then sabotage the interview thereby guaranteeing that I would not apply. I believe Judie's threats to remove/expel me or anyone for asking questions. I believe she is sincere and would not care or even hesitate to remove anyone she dislikes (me). I'm very disappointed by the way that I was prevented from taking this course. If I am not qualified, then I understand. But if I am not liked, I should not be talked down in the interview. Judie may try to respond to this comment to say that I am not qualified but it is not true. I meet the CELTA qualifications.