Accomplishments
The Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative (SHYLI) is expanding its focus beyond its successful pilot program with West Hawaii Explorations Academy to partner with other educational organizations in West Hawaii. SHYLI’s program will serve as capacity building for existing organizations to engage more youth and develop their leadership skills. People are invited to nominate youth (ages 15-22) who are potentially at-risk and potential leaders from their communities. They are empowered to be spokespersons and representatives of their islands — learning how to develop action plans, troubleshoot challenges, prepare presentations and develop strategies to engage people to develop sustainability projects. Youth learn to use technology, video and social media to make effective presentations about their projects and featured on TV. By engaging Hawaiian youth in envisioning, planning and creating their future, SHYLI helps them to be more hopeful and invested in their future. They will engage their friends in positive, life-affirming projects. They will be proud of their vision and prepared to share it, their concerns and ideas in constructive ways so leaders in business, community and government hear them and join with them.
June-August, 2012
• Five youth selected to represent SHYLI at 8th Annual Youth Leadership Summit for Sustainable Development
–Allie Kitchens, nominated by Jenny White, Environmental Club, Kealakehe High School
–Kynan Kawai, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii, Keaau nominated by David Fuertes, Ka Hana No’eau
–Makana Tavares, nominated by Betsy Boland, Kanu o ka ‘Āina New Century Public Charter, Waimea
–Manoa Johansen, nominated by Jason Cifra, Hawaii Community College
–Trevor Tanaka, Konawaena High School by Nancy Redfeather, The Kohala Center
— Kamaka Mahi Gunderson, Advisor, Hawaii Community College
• SHYLI youth delegates prepare power point presentations on sustainable agriculture/business, architecture, education, energy and environment at Youth Leadership Summit.
• Trevor Tanaka and Kynan Kawaii shared their vision on the national radio – Keeping It Moving with Marsha Reeves- Jews. WEAA 88.9FM from Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD.
• Makana Tavares wrote an inspired article that was published in the Honolulu Civil Beat.
• SHYLI youth developed Sustainability-In-Action Plans to implement in their communities.
• Kynan Kawaii made presentation at North Kohala Growing a Local Food System meeting.
• Waimea Student Shares Sustainable Summit Experiences, Hawaii 24/7, July 17, 2012
• Big Island Youth Lead the Way to Sustainability: Big Island Weekly: May 23, 2012
March-June, 2012: SHYLI Nomination, Orientation and Workshops
• Nomination Process: SHYLI Advisory Council, schools, organizations nominate youth to be youth delegates.
• Conduct Youth Leadership Summit Orientations at high schools in West Hawaii, North Kohala, Waimea, Hilo.
• Make presentations at conferences: Nä Lei Na’auao, Native Hawaiian Charter School Alliance;
• Participate in West Hawaii Sustainable Agriculture Skill Panel Forum: explore green job opportunities;
• Conduct monthly workshops (video conference) to develop SHYLI presentation for Youth Leadership Summit.
February 2012: SHYLI Project Coordinator, Tailor Curriculum, Community Partnership Development
• Recruit, hire and train local SHYLI Project Coordinator;
• Participate in Hawaiian culture and language classes with Kumu Keala Ching;
• Tailor Institute’s service learning curriculum with culturally diverse stories address issues facing Hawaiian youth;
• Present books, meet with community, business, civic, government leaders to listen, learn, explore partnerships.
January 2012: SHYLI Program Development
• January 4: SHYLI’s Advisory Council
• January 9-15: SHYLI Leadership Intensive
• Jan. 13: Conduct Sustainable Hawai’i Tour with WHEA students to Waimea green initiatives.
• Jan. 14-15: Conduct Sustainable Hawai’i Tour to all island green businesses, farms, organizations and schools.
• Met with Hawaiian cultural leaders to pay respect and request blessings on SHYLI Sustainable Hawaii Tour.
• Enrolled in Na Wai Iwi Ola (NWIO) Foundation language classes, participated in Hi’uwai ceremony.
• Met with potential funding organizations in Oahu to determine priorities, timelines and process.
• Met with potential nominating organizations including: Art Souza, Superintendent, Hawai’i Department of Education, Hui Laulima coalition of agencies and organizations, and Nem Lau’s Career & Technical Education colleagues, Mayor Billy Kenoi’s offices of Planning and Development, Research and Development, Angela Kang, Recycling Coordinaor, Councilman Angel Pilago and Polynesian Voyaging Society, Mitch Roth and Paula De Morales, Prosecutor’s Offices (Youth Action Summit), Lori Sasaki, DOE Workforce Development Division, Na Kahumoku, Kealakehe Intermediate School, Environmental Leadership Club, Kealakehe High School, Guy Toyama, NELHA, Nancy Redfeather, Kohala Center.Grif Frost, Michael Kramer, HALLE, Susan Cox, Green Power Girl, David Fuertes’ Ka Hana No’eau, Partners in Development Foundation, members of Kuelana Green Committee of Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce and Kea’au Youth Business Center.
December 2011
• Hosted community event at West Hawai’i Community Center: December 14
• Young artists designed SHYLI’s logo: Ashley and Wainani
• Produced video with WHEA’s Green Team to invite other youth to join them in creating SHYLI
• Conduct weekly workshops WHEA’s Green Team to share their dreams for their lives and their island
• Meetings with potential strategic partners: County of Hawai’i, Kohala Center, One Island, HPA Energy Lab
• Meetings with potential funders: Hawai’i Community Foundation, Bank of Hawai’I, others
• Create local branch: make arrangements for local office, address, and bank account.
November 2011
• Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative co-founders have video conference with Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative youth, West Hawaii Civic Center
• West Hawai’i Explorations Academy’s Green Team members complete application process: What is my dream for my life, my island and my world? What are the challenges facing Hawai’i youth? What community service projects have I been involved with in the past? What are my academic, professional, and travel goals?
• Wainani Traub represents Hawai’i youth and makes presentation at the APEC Youth Summit.
Presentation of official lei as dignitary to APEC Summit to the West Hawaii Explorations Academy.
• Wainani Traub makes presentation to Hawai’i Council on Government Relations, West Hawaii Civic Center
Hawaiian Youth Leader Speaks at APEC Voices of the Future Summit, Hawaii247.com, November 14, 2011
My Experience at APEC Voices of the Future Summit, Honolulu Civil Beat, November 17, 2011
June-September, 2011
• WHEA student Taylor Wainani Traub was selected to serve as the youth delegate. The Institute researched funding to cover her costs. (Ultimately, the Institute waived fees and paid her airfare, total contribution of $4,000). The Institute’s staff supported Wai through the process of preparing a power point presentation on her island’s sustainable initiatives. During the Youth Leadership Summit, we worked intensively with Wai to clarify and develop her plan for her Sustainability-in-Action Project.
• Following the Youth Leadership Summit, we continued support, resulting in these articles:
Leadership from Coast to Coast, West Hawaii Today, July 11, 2011
Kona Student Joins Leadership Summit on Martha’s Vineyard, Hawaii 24/7, July 15, 2011
My Life, My Island, My World, Honolulu Civil Beat, July 18 2011
December 2010 to June 2011
• Marianne Larned, Executive Director of the Stone Soup Leadership Institute conducted a series of meetings with youth and leaders from schools, non-profit organizations and businesses including Bill Wiecking, Director HPA Energy Lab, Karen Yamasato, Hawai’i Youth Congress, Nancy Redfeather and Cindy Punihaole, Kohala Center, I’ole Center, Marcy Montgomery, One Island and West Hawai’i farmer’s markets to learn about sustainable projects and challenges facing Hawai’ian youth. They were invited to nominate two Hawaiian youth to attend the Institute’s 7th Annual Youth Leadership Summit for Sustainable Development.
