Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 5, 1 May 2007 — Empowering tomorrow's Hawaiian leaders [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Empowering tomorrow's Hawaiian leaders

Students in the 'Aha 'Opio Alaka'i program present research at a Hawaiian education conference

By Amanda Masuyama 'Aha 'Ūpiū Alaka'i Cuurdinatūr £ ~W" was nervous, but when we said I the pule before our presentation, _M_everything heeame clear and I knew we were going to be good," shared Monty Kaho, a junior from Hilo High School. Kaho is part of the first cohort of Nā Pua No'eau's newest program, 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i (Hawaiian Youth Leadership). He and 175 other Native Hawaiian high school students from across the state (and one student from the continent) attended the 8th annual Native Hawaiian Education Association Conference on O'ahu in March. At the conference, the students presented their research findings on various community issues that affect Native Hawaiians and Hawai'i. "It's eool to see that we ean teach others to see the different issues in Hawai'i," said Ikaika Lopez, a student from Wai'anae. The 'Aha 'Ōpio 'Alaka'i cohort presented information on Mākua Valley, 'Aha Pūnana Leo Hawaiian iimnersion preschools, Pana'ewa Homestead and Hawaiian self-governance. The students shared why these issues were particularly important to them as future alaka'i, or leaders. "I have interest in this topic because I am from the Wai'anae coast

and Mākua is my home," Lopez said of his presentation. "I am concerned that the military is destroying endangered plant and animal species." Last year, 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i students were recruited through the Nā Pua No'eau enrichment program; Nā Lei Na'auao, the allianee of Hawaiian publie charter schools; Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Kamehameha Schools' Scholars Program, and the Hawaiian civic clubs. Students spent the year learning about community issues and leadership development. They also helped to organize the NHEA Student Forum for the March conference. "I ean change my conununity for the better," shared Dino Berengue, a junior at Campbell High School. "I ean use the things I learned in my community and apply my knowledge to the bigger cause of helping the Hawaiian nation." On March 28, the students saw their months of planning eome together at the Student Forum. Keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona spoke on leadership and living with aloha in our eommunity. The students then spent the day in workshops incorporating the conference theme, "E Ho'i i ka Piko Aloha - Return to Cultural Honor and Caring." The students learned about where See EMPOWERING on pagE 14

Students in the 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i program participate in a ropes-course challenge, designed to enhanee risk-taking and team-building skills, at the YMCA's Camp Erdman in Mokulē'ia. Pholo: Courtesy ofNā Pua No'eau

EMPOWEKINE

CūntinuEd fram page 09 they eome from and the importance of the "piko" in order to be a successful leader. After attending the conference, Triton Francisco, a student from Laupāhoehoe on Hawai'i Island, reflected, "The Hawaiian culture for me is all about roots, and it is a beautiful culture. I am proud to be Hawaiian." 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i, whieh is in its second year, is funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The program's main focus is to increase the number of Native Hawaiian youth who take leadership roles to positively affect conditions of Native Hawaiians and Hawai'i. Students are provided with a broad understanding of issues impacting Hawaiians. 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i is free for qualifying students. Recruitment for the next cohort of students will begin for 10th graders in the fall of 2007. For more information on 'Aha 'Ōpio Alaka'i or other Nā Pua No'eau programs, eall 808-974-7678, or visit npn.uhh.hawaii.edu. Editor's note: Dr. David K. Sing, director of the Nā Pua No'eau enrichment program for Native Hawaiian students, coordinates periodic updates for Ka Wai Ola on Hawaiian education programs. E3