Nā ʻŌpiʻo Waiwai
Nā ʻŌpiʻo Waiwai
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Aubree
Born and raised in Punaluʻu, Oʻahu, Aubree now resides in Olaʻa, Hawaiʻi. She is a dedicated student at Kamehameha High School's Kea'au Campus. Her passion is Hula, she loves to share her culture with others. Aubree's favorite subject is speech, which aligns with her natural leadership abilities.As the eldest member of the youth council, Aubree embraces her role as a leader, always striving to set a positive example and inspire her peers. In her downtime, she loves going to the beach, spending time with friends, and planning her future endeavors.
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Zoe
Raised in Kāneʻohe, Oʻahu. Zoe is a proud student at Kamehameha High School Keaʻau. She enjoys dancing hula and reading, with English being her favorite subject. Zoe loves spending time at the beach with friends and family, cherishing the vibrant community and natural beauty of Hawaii. Zoe has a deep understanding of the importance of providing second chances to those impacted by the carceral system, a perspective that aligns with the mission of the youth council.
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ʻŌhāwai
Raised in Kahaluʻu, Oʻahu, ʻOhawai is a dedicated student at Kamehameha High Schools Kapālama. She loves volleyball, shot put, and discus, excelling both in sports and academics. As the youngest in her family, she is striving to follow in the footsteps of her older siblings. ʻOhawai enjoys spending time at the beach with family and friends, where she loves to play beach volleyball. Her hard work and enthusiasm make her a valuable member of the youth council.
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Hailee
Hailee is an energetic and passionate member of our Youth Council, known for her vibrant spirit and enthusiasm. Born and raised in Punaluʻu, Oʻahu, Hailee now resides in Olaʻa, Hawaiʻi. She attends Ke Kula ʻO Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu and has a deep love for volleyball and hula. Her favorite subjects in school is science and history. As the youngest member of the council, Hailee brings a fresh perspective and dynamic energy, always keeping everyone on their toes. In her free time, Hailee loves to surf and enjoys taking naps to recharge.
Initiatives and Projects
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Youth Council's Community Work Days
Our youth council prioritizes supporting organizations dedicated to land restoration and cultural revitalization as we believe in the interconnectedness of healing the land and our people.
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Empowering Voices: Speech and Confidence Building Initiative
Equipping youth with the essential skills of public speaking and confidence-building, empowering them to express themselves effectively and navigate various life situations. Empowers them to advocate for social justice through effective communication at legislative levels.
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Cross-Cultural Dialogues: Empowering Youth through Knowledge Exchange
Connecting with fellow indigenous communities to understand and address shared struggles in justice reform. Through these interactions, they gain valuable insights, solidarity, and inspiration to drive meaningful change in their own communities.
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Mentorships
Our youth program is dedicated to fostering mentorships and teaching leadership skills, empowering the next generation to lead with confidence and integrity. Through personalized guidance and hands-on experience, we equip them with the tools and knowledge needed to excel as leaders in their communities and beyond.
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Collaboration
Collaboration is very important to us as we believe that by working together, we can achieve greater impact and lasting change. We partner with other entities to help us inform our council of other entities that are doing important work for the community.
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Cultural Roots: Nurturing Identity and Heritage
we believe in empowering youth to embrace their cultural identity and heritage, regardless of their path in life. By fostering a strong sense of self-awareness and pride in their roots, we aim to equip young people with the confidence and resilience to navigate any challenges they may encounter.