Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 2, 1 February 1990 — Aha ʻOpio applications are ready [ARTICLE]

Aha ʻOpio applications are ready

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs through its Edu-cation-Culture Division will host the third annual youth leadership conference, " 'Aha 'Opio O OHA" June 18-30, in Honolulu. Seventy-five Hawaiian high school juniors statewide will be selected to participate in a week of program activities. The activities will reflect Hawaiian concerns such as ecology, Hawaiian his-

tory, native rights and alternative Iifestyles. Activities will include the election process, government organizations, introduction of bills and lobbying for issues. Students will have the opportunity to explore leadership roles, values and to meet officials involved in government processes. The 'Aha 'Opio (OHA's Youth Legislature) Continued on page 15

Aha 'Opio from page 1

seeks to provide Hawaiian high school students with hands-on experience in developing leadership skills in public speaking, parliamentarv procedure and group poliheal interaction. The 'Aha 'Opio recognizes Hawaii's own eultural heritage. What makes this p-ogram especially Hawaiian is that the students wi'l select issues of current eoneem and debate whatimpact they have on the Native Hawaiian communitv. Snecial cultural sessions will cover alternative l;festyles. Hawaiian languaoe. ho'oponopono (eonflict resolution) and Hawaiian values. Students will visit important historical sites and various state agencies. Meetings are scheduled with state legislators.

Applications to participate may be obtained through junior class counselors at the high schools or by calling the OHA Education-Culture Division at 946-2642 after Feb. 15. All aprlications should be returned to OHA no later than Apnl 16. Se!ection interviews will be held in late April. There will be an island-wide orientation meeting in May for students who will participate in 'Aha 'Opio O OHA. Members of the conference planning committee are: Hinano Paleka (Kamehameha Schools), Kauila Clark (West O'ahu Employment Corporation), Walter Kahiwa, Jr. (Honaunau School). Sabra McCracken (County of Kaua'i), Paula DeMorales, Don Romero (Wai'akea High School), and Kathy Romero (Ka'u High School).