Hawaii FilCom Center, web firm start high school entrepreneurship program

Thirty students completed optimization projects at the FilCom Center guided by Kure at the FilCom Center in Waipahu, Hawaii. CONTRIBUTED

WAIPAHU, Hawaii – Students from Waipahu High School’s Academy of Industrial & Engineering Technology were the first batch in the inaugural outreach of Launchpad, a “next-generation” scholarship program sponsored by the Filipino Community Center (FilCom) and software company Kure.

Launchpad, co-founded by Kure CEO Karlo Tanjuakio and Clarice Casamina, vice president of the House of Finance, helps students learn practical business skills. Using Kure’s web-based, process optimization app, Launchpad enables students to find ways of increasing efficiency, reducing waste and inventing new products, ideas and services.

Thirty students completed optimization projects at the FilCom Center guided by Kure and consulted with FilCom staff on areas that the center would like strengthened through organization and process. The results will provide FilCom valuable recommendations in planning for the Center’s future and its mission.

“We are dedicated to continuing our mission for the next 20 years and beyond, by also being a ‘hub’ for new and innovative programs,” said FilCom’s Executive Director Jeannie Lum.

Kure’s CEO and cofounder Karlo Tanjuakio has received multiple honors and awards, including recognition by Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000, a “Fastest Growing Companies” award and was nominated for 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

Cofounder Clarice Casamina has personal ties to FilCom. She is the daughter of Roland Casamina who, along with former President and Chief Executive Officer of L&L Drive-Inn/L&L Hawaiian Barbecue Eddie Flores, made the dream of FilCom a reality.

Judges, including Lum and renowned business and community leaders, will review and select three students based on project results. Winning projects will receive scholarship money donated by many community members.

Scholarships will be awarded at the Launchpad Award Ceremony on November 12, 2022, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the FilCom Center (94-428 Mokuola St., Waipahu, HI 96797).

Admission is complimentary but seating is limited (RSVP required). To reserve your spot, please email Karlo at [email protected]. To learn more about Launchpad, https://kure.app/launchpad.