Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 10, 1 October 1989 — ALU LIKE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ALU LIKE

Success marks summer youth program

"I think this program has helped me improve. I have learned a lot and it hasgiven me a lot of opportunities." Maui student Melanie Lum Ho, on the Alu Like Summer Youth Program. The success of the Alu Like Summer Youth Program is apparent in comments from youth participants ages 14-21 statewide. The program has been offered eaeh summer for more than 10 years by Alu Like, through funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Division of Indian and Native Hawaiian programs under Title 2 of the Job Training Partnership Act. The summer-iong youth program aims to: enhanee the basic educational skills of youth (in work or schooi programs); eneourage school eomplehon or enrollment in supplemental or alternative school programs; and to provide eligible (disadvantaged) youth with expenence m the world of work. The Summer Youth Program is directed by Winona Whitman, Alu Like employment and training program administrator. Whitman also directs adult employment and training programs. Some success stories on the island of Hawai'i: Within a two-week period of first starting at Keaau Poliee Station, Teresa Puu, with little supervision, was able to handle the filing system, operate the Wang computer, Xerox Memorywriter, do simple math eomputation for reporting purposes, and abide by dress codes and rules of the Keaau Poliee Station. Working at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, Debbie Kunihiro was praised as "one of our outstanding participants," by supervisor Maureen Saturnio. "She learns extremely fast. does excellent, accurate work and is very dependable. In addition, she has a fun personality and a ready smile. One of the counselors said, 'She is a better worker than some of our college students.' Actual-

ly, she does better work than most.' Elizabeth Oamaeho worked for the Hawai'i County Parks and Recreation elderly activities divisions. Her supervisor noted, "She is a very enthusiastic employee. She accepts responsibilities well, is willing to leam new tasks, friendly, attentive, a quick leamer, has a good attendance record, and a positive work attitude." Nazareth Burcena, who worked at Waiakea Intermediate School, was praised as a "very conscientious and diligent worker," who leamed fast and showed initiative in her work dealing with computers and with the public. Favorable comments were also received from supervisors of other youth program participants, who included: Athena Kauhoni, who worked for the USG/DA agricultural research service: Lacey Ah Nee, who worked for St. Joseph Elementary School; Angienani Camacho, who worked for Community Strivers, ine.; and Sabrina Moniz, who worked for Hale Aloha Christian School. On the island of Maui youth program participants worked for: Alu Like's E Ho'olako 1 Na Keiki project; the Maui Poliee Department traffic section; Lokahi Pacific; Alu Like in Keanae, Nahiku and Hana; Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate and the Legal Aid Society of Maui. The students included: Erinell Keala, Molley Lee Koga, Melissa Leialoha "Pasha" Lani, Melani Lum Ho, Kim Morishita, Shannon J. Weaver, Radlyn M.K. Morondos, Alvin Vegas, Lois I. Paeheeo, Jo-Ann Ridao, David C. Phillips, Ali Vogele, Mary Kaui Kala, Marissa Frame, Grace Fernandez, Sheila Ann Bal, Tiffany Kahihikolo and Charles Baisa. Their comments showed they felt the Summer Youth Program was a good one and that they had benefitted from the expenenee of learning new things in a real work situation. For many, this was their first job. The employers, on their part, praised the students for their positive attitudes, their aptitude for work, ability to take direction and work independently, good personalities and willingness to take on newtasks.

Signing the Honokaua memorandum of agreement were (left to right); Richard Cameron, Libert Landgraf, Mayor Hannihal

Tavares, Thomas Kaulukukui, and Dana Naone Hall. (Story on page 16)