A Hawaii leadership program is pitching itself to mid-level managers as a way to prepare for a wave of retirements at the top, which is good news for people hoping to move up.

• The Hawaii Leadership Academy runs half-day sessions over five Fridays for directors and senior managers.
• It is run by the Hawaii Employers Council and Hawaii Business Magazine, and applications are open now.
• Participants mix across industries and islands, and hear directly from local CEOs about their wins and failures.
• Alumni from Hawaiian Electric and Servco say the biggest payoff was the soft skills — handling office politics and motivating people.
• The pitch: older leaders are retiring, so the next generation has to be ready before the jobs open up.

Outlook: Expect more competition for these spots as Hawaii companies face a leadership handover in the next few years.