Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 2, 1 February 2019 — Lili'uokalani Trust and Youth Development [ARTICLE]

Lili'uokalani Trust and Youth Development

By Moon Kauakahi "Listen to the voices of our youth for they are the future leaders of Hawai'i. " In our adolescent years in Hawai'i, we were always told by our parents that we should only listen and not say a word; our thoughts had no plaee in the adult world. Today, Lili'uokalani Trust's (LT) mission includes various programs that encourage and strengthen the voices and thoughts of our youth through a program called Youth Development. While LT's Social and Community Liaison workers provide direct help and support to Hawaiian families and communities, Youth Development provides an alternative process for our youth, some of whom have a difficult time adjusting to the normal educational process of learning in our schools. Through culture, hands-on training and the support of organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of Hawai'i and Kamehameha Schools, the youth gain knowledge needed to move forward in this ever-changing world. Youth Development is one of many programs that LT provides to our families, young adults and children, to one day break the cycle of poverty. LT's motto, "E Nā Kamalei Lupalupa," keeps us moving forward for the betterment of our Hawaiian families. ■ Moon Kauakalii has \vorked for Lili'uokalani Trust for the past eight years. He is an accomplished musician and currently serves as a youth development specialist at LT.