RESEA is a reemployment program for claimants receiving regular UI benefits. The program assists these individuals with returning to work by developing an individualized reemployment plan as well as providing information about job training and placement services. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations’ Unemployment Insurance Division administers the RESEA program in conjunction with the Workforce Development Division (WDD).

RESEA participants are randomly selected based on the following criteria: (1) must be receiving benefits on a regular UI claim; (2) must be completely unemployed or have a part-time job; (3) must be living in Hawaii; and (4) must not be a member of a union that provides job placement services.

RESEA participants will be notified of their selection via mail. A sample letter is attached. They may also receive a phone call from the Workforce Development Division.

Yes, you must attend the RESEA session and failure to attend will be reported to the UI Division, which will result in a pending issue on your claim. You will not receive any additional benefits until that issue is resolved.

You need to complete the RESEA Questionnaire and UC-253 form that can be found on the Workforce Development Division’s RESEA page.  Link:  http://labor.hawaii.gov/wdd/resea/

Any claimant who does not have a full-time job can be selected for RESEA.

The RESEA session may be held remotely as a virtual online meeting, by phone, or in-person at your local American Job Center. If your RESEA session is being held virtually, the Workforce Development Division will send you an email with the Zoom link to the RESEA session. You must check in ten minutes before your session.

Your first RESEA session will have a group orientation and initial interview. You must check in ten minutes before and bring a picture ID, the RESEA notice, list of job contacts, and writing materials. The group orientation will explain the RESEA program and process. During the initial interview, you will meet with an employment service specialist who will:

  • Assess your continuing eligibility for UI benefits which includes confirming your employment status and a review of;
  • Support in the development of an individual reemployment plan which will support your return to work; and
  • Provide you with information about job training and placement services and other American Job Center (AJC) services and resources to support your return to work.

The first RESEA session will take around two hour and 45 minutes. Your subsequent follow-up appointments may be around an hour and a half.

For more information, please contact your local American Job Center at one of the locations below:

Oahu American Job Center (Open to walk-ins, no appointment is required)
680 Iwilei Road, Suite 700
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Telephone: (808) 768-5701

Maui American Job Center (Open by appointment only)
110 Alaihi Street, Suite 209
Kahului, Hawaii 96732
Telephone: (808) 270-5777

Hawaii Island American Job Center (Open by appointment only)
427 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Telephone: (808) 935-6527

Kauai American Job Center (Open by appointment only)
4444 Rice Street, Suite 302
Lihue, Hawaii 96766
Telephone: (808) 274-3060

Please contact your local American Job Center directly to confirm hours and availability of appointments.