With Hawaiʻi’s labor force shrinking, employers are exploring alternative hiring strategies, including the use of J-1 visas for skilled international workers. The Hawaiʻi-Philippines Business Economic Council will host a virtual panel discussion on Tuesday, September 16 at 4 p.m., as part of its monthly “Talk Story Sessions” series. The event aims to inform local employers about the benefits and logistics of the J-1 visa program, which facilitates cultural exchange and workforce development.
The panel will feature four experts: Jean de Castro, CEO of ESCA International Inc., a pioneer in global engineering outsourcing and former chair of Urban Land Institute Philippines; James Urbaniak, lead teacher recruiter at the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, who oversees the state’s J-1 teacher recruitment in partnership with GeoVisions; Jimmy Brazelton, managing director of GeoVisions, a U.S. Department of State-designated visa sponsor specializing in educator and early-career professional exchanges; and Bryan Yucoco, head of financial wellness and community outreach at HawaiʻiUSA Federal Credit Union, recognized for his work in youth financial literacy.
Rhoda Yabes Alvarez, an attorney licensed in Hawaiʻi, New York, and the Philippines, will moderate the session. Alvarez has held academic leadership roles, including founding dean of St. Louis College of Law in the Philippines and lecturer at the University of Hawaiʻi Richardson College of Law. She is also a member of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
The Hawaiʻi-Philippines Business Economic Council, established for charitable and educational purposes, fosters economic and cultural ties between the two regions. It supports residents with connections to both Hawaiʻi and the Philippines by promoting information sharing and collaborative development initiatives.
The webinar is free and open to the public, with registration available online. A second session will be held for participants in the Philippines on Wednesday, September 17 at 10 a.m., accommodating different time zones and ensuring broader accessibility. These discussions reflect growing interest in international workforce solutions amid local labor shortages.
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Philippines Business Economic Council to host an expert panel over J
As the labor force in Hawaiʻi continues to shrink, employers may be searching for more options when looking at the workforce. n nThe Hawaiʻi-Philippines Business Economic Council will host a panel for employers interested in learning about J-1 visas over Zoom on Tuesday as part of its monthly series, “Talk Story Sessions.” n nA panel of four will answer questions and share their experience with the J-1 visa, beginning at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16. Panelists will include Jean de Castro, CEO of ESCA International Inc.; James Urbaniak, lead teacher recruiter at the state Department of Education; Jimmy Brazelton, managing director of GeoVisions; and Bryan Yucoco, who leads HawaiʻiUSA Federal Credit Union’s financial wellness and community outreach programs. n nJean de Castro is a pioneer in engineering outsourcing services to international architectural and engineering firms worldwide. She is a global governing trustee of the Urban Land Institute, a global think tank with more than 46,000 members around the world, and the immediate past chair of Urban Land Institute Philippines—the first woman to lead its local council. n nJames Urbaniak moved to Hawaiʻi in 2007 to teach middle school English. After several years in the classroom, he transitioned into teacher recruitment. Urbaniak now oversees the hiring of all public school teachers statewide. He leads the J-1 Visa Program with GeoVisions, a U.S. Department of State visa sponsor. n nJimmy Brazelton oversees GeoVisions, a J-1 visa sponsor that provides cultural exchange programs for educators and early career professionals. With more than 20 years in intercultural education, he is a passionate advocate for the power of cultural exchange. n nBryan Yucoco champions financial literacy across Hawaiʻi through a practical and engaging approach. He was recognized as the 2019 Financial Education Champion by the Hawaiʻi Jumpstart Coalition for his contributions to youth financial literacy. n nRhoda Yabes Alvarez will serve as the moderator during the panel next week. Alvarez practices law in Hawaiʻi, New York, and the Philippines. She earned her Juris Doctor at Ateneo de Manila University and a Master of Laws at the University of London. n nShe was the founding dean of the St. Louis College of Law in the Philippines and a lecturer in law at the University of Hawaiʻi Richardson College of Law and Mariano Marcos Memorial College of Law. She is a member of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association, Integrated Bar of the Philippines, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association. n nOrganized for charitable and educational purposes, the Hawaiʻi-Philippines Business Economic Council facilitates the exchange of information and direction between Hawaiʻi and the Philippines to strengthen its business and economic development links. The organization advocates for residents who consider both Hawaiʻi and the Philippines as home. n nThe panel is free and virtual with registration found online at https://bit.ly/hpbecsept25. The Hawaiʻi panel begins at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, and another will be hosted for residents in the Philippines at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 17.