Every Student Deserves an Opportunity-Filled Future

Each person’s future should be determined by choices, not chance. At Junior Achievement, we are committed to giving students opportunity-filled futures by helping them become confident, capable, competent, and connected to what the world has to offer.

Our Values

01.

Belief

In the boundless potential of young people.

02.

Seek Out

Various backgrounds, perspectives, and talents in our staff and volunteers, and boards to reflect the geographies and communities we serve.

03.

Nurture

The power of partnerships and collaboration.

04.

Approach

Our work with passion, honesty, integrity, and excellence.

05.

Teach

Principled market-based economics and entrepreneurship that build a more sustainable world.

06.

Advocate

For relevant hands-on learning.

Accelerating Economic Mobility

Junior Achievement’s learning experiences promote the transferable skills and competencies students need to take advantage of economic opportunity and achieve economic mobility. Our lessons use financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurial concepts to emphasize the importance of continuing education and training beyond high school, especially in high-growth, high-demand fields. At the same time, our experiential learning approach ensures students gain the critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and technical literacy skills needed to become lifelong learners to navigate “what’s next” in our ever-changing world.

Empowering the Next Generation

Junior Achievement's proven lessons in financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship are shown to positively impact the lives of young people. These lessons align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to millions of students across the country with the help of our education partners and volunteers from the local community.

Research shows that JA Alumni are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.

Learn more about 2025 JA Alumni Report

Junior Achievement Facts

What is Junior Achievement?

Junior Achievement has approx. 100 local JA Areas across the nation, and together we are the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their futures, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA's programs in the core content areas of work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, ignite the spark in young people to experience and realize the opportunities and realities of work and life in the 21st century.

Purpose

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.

Leadership

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi is led by President and CEO David Earles, with Nathan Kam of Anthology FINN Partners serving as Board Chair. JA of Hawaiʻi is part of Junior Achievement USA, a national organization whose board — chaired by Arnold B. Evans, Co-Head of Emerging Middle Market at JPMorgan Chase — represents a wide range of businesses and academic institutions. Jack Harris serves as CEO and Tim Greinert as President of Junior Achievement USA, which supports approximately 4,300 board members leading JA Area Offices across the country.

Proven Success

Junior Achievement is one of a few nonprofits to use independent, third-party evaluators to gauge the impact of its programs. Since 1993, independent evaluators have conducted studies on Junior Achievement's effectiveness. Findings prove that Junior Achievement has a positive impact in a number of critical areas.

Program Reach

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi reached over 8,300 students in 372 classes and after-school locations in the 2024-25 school year. JA programs are taught throughout the Hawaiian Islands by volunteers with real-world business experiences.

A Brief History

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi was founded in 1958 with Don Workman as the Executive Director and Fred Whittemore as the first President. The first JA Company Program to be organized and operated was sponsored by Theo H. Davies. In 1975, JA USA expanded their curriculum to enter the classroom with the introduction of Project Business for the middle grades. Junior Achievement then extended its activities to include a blended-learning approach for both in- school and after-school students for Kindergarten through high school.

Organizational Overview

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi is one of over 100 affiliated members of JA USA. Hawaiʻi’s local volunteer board of directors comprised of business, education, and civic leaders set the policy and direction, with the full support of JA USA, ensuring alignment with national standards and initiatives. Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi was founded in 1958.

Volunteers

Junior Achievement of Hawaiʻi's classroom volunteers come from all walks of life, including: business people, college students, parents and retirees. These dedicated individuals are the backbone of our organization.