Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 12, 1 December 1996 — Hāpapa Mōmona Hawaiians Making Progress [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hāpapa Mōmona Hawaiians Making Progress

year-old overdose on drugs. "From that day on, I realized that besides teaching the standard eunieulum, I had to talk to my students about tak-

ing care of themselves," Silva said. While with the Department of Education (DOE), Silva participated in the "No Hope in Dope Program." Silva was with the DOE as a teacher and a counselor for 17 years before becoming a financial consultant selling insurance and retire-

ment policies. ^ "I knew < that down the road this kind of job wouldn't satisfy me, but I needed to make some money and I knew that I

could return to working with kids," he said. "I missed the kids, so I developed Positive Connections and quit my job," he said. Outside of school settings, Silva meets with gang mem-

mit to themselves." AlohaCare, whieh provides insurance coverage for many of the state's Quest clients, sup)orts Silva as part

of its focus on prevention. "AlohaCare is committed to finding community solutions to community problem. Allan's work fits right in," said John McComas, executive director at AlohaCare.

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Hōpapa Mōmona is a new Ka Wai Ola O OHA standing feature. tThis feature showcases people from the Hawaiian community making a difference in the lives of others. Oall 594-1980 with your suggestions for future profiles.

h- < *Kīm/ bers as a "peaee counselor." "I tell these kids that they ean be doctors, lawyers, poliee, and politicians. I tell them it's up to them and how mueh they're willine to eom-