Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 38, Number 9, 1 September 2021 — Planning for Next Generation Advocacy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Planning for Next Generation Advocacy

V KA LEO O NA 'OPIO V VOICE OF THE YOUTH *

By Karli Rose Kalama The 'Aha 'Ōpio Steering Committee has been working, since June 2021, on a plan to inspire opio to create and lead the next generation of policy makers and community advocates. The steering committee hopes to inspire opio civic engagement and provide resources and opportunities for us to take action and have our voices heard. A survey taken in 2019 captured the topics opio were most interested in and the needs they felt needed to be addressed. Topics included climate change, food security, homelessness, traffic, and infrastructure (the rail, alawai, and flood mitigation). Some of the needs opio identified were aequiring the tools and resources to do the work for the future, engagement for opportunities to gain knowledge and learn about resources, and a network to work with. The question, "How do we engage 'ōpio for advocacy?" has been a topie of discussion in light of the needs opio have expressed. This led to the creation of the mission for the eommittee to focus on next-generation advocacy. There are three pillars upon whieh the steering committee has focused. • Pillar One: Aloha 'Āina - Standing up for one's land • Pillar Two: Mālama 'Aina - Taking care of 'āina • Pillar Three: 'Oihana - Career

The 'Opio Steering Committee is made up of three opio: Bronson Azama, Wai'ale'ale Sarsona, and Karli Rose Kalama, and is facilitated by Ian Custino. Together we have taken the voiced thoughts and opinions of 'ōpio regarding opportunities and their plaee at events, and are working towards a five-year plan to engage opio. The steering committee has been meeting bi-weekly to discuss planning and organizing to get 'ōpio involved in the upcoming CNHA (Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement) Convention in October, and the AHCC (Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs) Convention in November. There is a eoneem that 'ōpio may not be comfortable in the area of policy and advocacy, but the steering committee strongly feels that we ean provide the necessary tools to educate and empower 'ōpio to prepare and take action through their personal experiences and through the experience of their kūpuna and mākua. The 'Ōpio Steering Committee looks forward to the future and is very optimistic about the opportunities that will be available to 'ōpio to gain the resources for education, networking, and community involvement in the issues that 'ōpio are interested in and passionate about. There is no direction to go other than forward. ■

Karli Rose Kalama is the co-founder and board member ofa student-run organization at UH Mānoa known as Ka Lau 0 Ka Lahui (KLAU). KLAUs mission is focused on bringing the eommunity together to learn of the history of our 'āina through going to lo'i, loko i'a and historic sites and oJfer our kōkua to mālama the island ofO'ahu.