Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 April 1988 — OHA Plans First ʻAha ʻOpio Youth Legislature in June at UH Manoa [ARTICLE]

OHA Plans First ʻAha ʻOpio Youth Legislature in June at UH Manoa

About 100 Hawaiian high school juniors statewide will tackle the intricacies of the legislative process this summer in a one-week leadership development conference sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Eaeh public, private and parochial high school in the state will nominate three students, and the conference planning committee will make final selections.

Student representatives will gather June 17-25 at the University of Hawai'i Manoa campus in the first " 'Aha 'Opio O OHA Hawaiian Youth Legislature." The program gives them a ehanee to experienee first-hand a simulated legislative process, and to develop their skills in public speaking, parliamentary procedure and group interaction. Hawaiian history and culture sessions are also part of the activities.

Uonterence coordinator Kona Kodenhurst, OHA Education Division Officer, says "'Aha 'Opio is meant to give Hawaiian youths personal experience with government process and leadership roles." Though it borrows the general concept of the national YMCA Model Youth Legislature program, the 'Aha 'Opio Youth Legislature recognizes Hawaii's own cultural heritage and is aimed at developing leadership abilities in Hawaiian youth. Rodenhurst said OHA hopes to make it

an annual event. One long-range goal of the conference is to encourage the students as seniors to increase their leadership involvement in school government, clubs and other school activities. Rodenhurst explained that OHA is seeking additional funds from business, corporations and Hawaiian civic clubs, to cover roundtrip transportation, room and board for student delegates.

While the final program is being completed, Rodenhurst said it will include selected "Hawaiian" issues for discussion. Students will be divided into 'ahupua'a, elect their own officials, and eome up with legislation and bills. Students will also visit various state agencies to leam how government works. Conference organizers are seeking to use State Legislature chambers for floor sessions, and to arrange meetings between Hawaiian legislators and students. Cultural sessions will cover alternative lifestyles, Hawaiian language, ho'oponopono and Hawaiian values.

Members of the conference planning committee are: Hinano Paleka, Annette Amaral (YMCA), Kauwila Clark (West Beach Job Development Program), North Shore educators Jill Coryell and husband Roy Alameida, Momiala Kamahele and Jonah Akaka, student and part-time disc jockey on Hawaiian Radio KCCN, 1420 on the AM dial.