Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 3, 1 March 1989 — ʻAha ʻOpio Youth Legislature Accepts Applications in March [ARTICLE]

ʻAha ʻOpio Youth Legislature Accepts Applications in March

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs through its Hducation Division will host its second annual youth leadership conference, "'Aha 'Opio O OHA," June 19-24 in Honolulu. Seventy-five Hawaiian high school juniors statewide will be selected to participate in a week long program of activities. These activities reflect such Hawaiian concerns as ecology, Hawaiian history, native rights and alternative lifestyles. They will also include, but not be limited to, the election process, government organizations, introduction of bills and lobbying for issues. Students will have the opportunity to explore leadership roles, values and actually meet officials involved in government processes. The 'Aha 'Opio, or OHA's Youth Legislature, seeks to provide Hawaiian youth with hands-on experience in developing leadership skills in public speaking, parliamentary procedure and group political interaction. The 'Aha 'Opio recognizes Hawai'i's own cultural heritage. What makes this program uniquely Hawaiian is that the students will select

current issues of eoneem and debate their impact on the Hawaiian community. Special cultural sessions will cover alternative lifestyles, Hawaiian language, ho'oponopono and Hawaiian values as part of the activities. Students will visit important historical sites and various state agencies. Meetings have also been scheduled with attending State legislators. Applications to participate may be obtained through junior class counselors at the student's high school or by calling the OHA Education Division at 946-2642. All applications should be returned to OHA no later than March 31. Selection interviews will be held in April. Students will participate in an island-wide orientation meeting in May. Members of the conference planning committee are: Hinano Paleka (Kamehameha Schools, Evaluation and Planning), Kauila Clark (West O'ahu Beach Employment Corporation), Tony Soller (Hawaiian Telephone), Kathy Keala, and Walter Kahiwa, Jr. (Honauhanu School)