While some of their classmates spent the summer at the beach or watching movies at the mall, 10 students from Waipahu, 'Aiea, Farrington and McKinley high schools were up to their elbows in grease.

As 2008 Auto Academy interns, they spent mornings working at various Cutter Automotive dealerships. Then it was off to Honolulu Community College for intensive automotive classes all afternoon. And they still had to go home and study.

"I really put them to the grindstone to see what they're capable of because in this field you have to be up above the ordinary," said HCC Automotive Technology instructor Noel Alarcon. "The amount of work and studying that they do is unreal. The hands-on experience that they have on the practical side is unreal. They're learning 24/7."

All that hard work paid off yesterday, when they graduated from the academy with four HCC college credits and bank accounts filled with spending money for the upcoming school year. More importantly, they graduated as a class of friends, exchanging jokes and laughter throughout the ceremony.

"Automotive is my passion, and I really enjoy working with my hands," said recent Waipahu graduate Aaron Osalvo. "I've always dreamed of being a mechanic. I used to collect toy cars because I wasn't able to afford a 'real' car to play with."

As more high schools cut their automotive programs, the academy offers a way for students to gain exposure to an industry in which qualified technicians are in high demand.

"There is a shortage of technicians," said Mel Nishita, director of Cutter's Fixed Operations. "We give them an idea of what to expect in the workforce, and what we expect of them as employees."

More than 60 students have graduated from the academy, which is in its fifth year. The program is sponsored by a series of grants from First Hawaiian Bank, which pay for tool kits, an HCC instructor and supplies.

During the graduation ceremony, representatives from First Hawaiian announced the allocation of a $22,500 grant that aims to ensure funding for the academy through 2012, and increases the bank's total contribution to $105,000.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

"We found a need in the community and were able to meet it," said Joyce Borthwick, chief compliance officer at First Hawaiian Bank. "We have seen such good things come out of it, and it's just been so rewarding. It's been a great partnership."

Cutter Automotive provides on-the-job training, mentoring, and part-time pay for student workers. HCC provides instruction and hands-on projects at its Automotive Technology facility, one of the largest in the nation with 50,000 square feet of indoor shop space.

"I thought it was going to be a lot of classroom stuff, but we ended up doing a lot in the shop too, which made it a lot of fun," said Tony Cabalar, who will be a senior at 'Aiea this year. "For four college credits, I'd say it was worth it. It'll give me a boost when I go to college."

The academy also serves as a feeder program for both Cutter and HCC. Osalvo has arranged to continue working with Cutter full-time through Aug. 25, when he plans to begin classes at HCC.

"The students are much better prepared, and being as they have college credits, they can get into the (HCC automotive) program quicker than a student off the street," said Bert Shima-bukuro, an HCC Automotive Technology faculty member.

"We don't like to use the term 'waiting list,' but it's hard to get into the program. We can only take 24 every semester, and so it's highly competitive."

Plans are in place to expand the academy for the upcoming year to include any O'ahu school falling under Title 1 or with an auto shop.

Shimabukuro stressed the importance of school career counselors during the rigorous selection process, which has multiple requirements, including a health clearance, testing, work permit, and driver's license.

"This auto academy is basically to prepare them for college, to show them our program, what you need to do to pass, to move on, and to grow," Alarcon said.

"I don't teach just automotive, I teach how to build up self-esteem, how to build up confidence and teamwork. I believe in all of those things because once we're a team, the sky's the limit."