Hōkūpaʻa Updates
Resources, community news, and bright spots.
Navigation Council Member Feature: Wally Lau, Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force
Today we’re featuring one of our longtime Navigation Council members: Wally Lau. Wally joined us several years ago while working for the County, and remains involved in the community. One of the commitments closest to his heart is the Hawaiʻi Island Fentanyl Task Force (HIFTF), a group he helped to found in response to an alarming rise in overdose deaths.
Wally believes that it is everyone’s kuleana, ‘opio to kupuna, to take care of the community, give back, and save lives. Like all of our members, he values youth voice, leadership, and action, working with schools and young adults in HIFTF’s mission.
Youth Sustainability Summit Resolutions
The Hawai‘i Sustainability Summit held in May 2024 convened local stakeholders to keep driving the county — and the state — into a more sustainable future…the summit involved local youth in grades 8-12 to create actionable plans. Updated 9/12/24.
GUEST BLOG: Kaukau 4 Keiki Project by Laʻakea Judd, UH-Hilo Ka Pouhana Peer Mentor
Amidst the busy summer bustle, dedicated students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo’s Ka Pouhana Program spent six weeks leading a community project for Hilo families.
Return of the Hui for Youth Opportunities
After taking a hiatus for several months, hui collaborators reconvened in May of 2023. The hui members are passionate about address youth’s needs and aspirations so that they can be successful, well-connected, and just have fun.
Kealakehe Intermediate Students’ Community Service Ideas
This past March, Kealakehe Intermediate School hosted a career fair to introduce students to local career pathways. As part of our booth highlighting nonprofit management as a career pathway, we asked students to imagine that they could do anything to benefit their community.
GUEST BLOG: TAKE ACTION BY THE COALITION FOR A TOBACCO-FREE HAWAIʻI YOUTH COUNCIL
Hawaiian POG. Blue Razz. Lush Ice. These are not flavors of candy or shave ice but e-cigarettes. Behind these sweet flavors promising notes of sweet and tangy flavors of guava, orange, and passion fruit or freshly sliced candied watermelons with a touch of refreshing menthol are the nicotine equivalent of two packs of cigarettes.
STORIES FROM THE (VIRTUAL) FIELD: THE ONGOING HAWAI'I ISLAND YOUTH SUMMIT
The 2021 Hawaiʻi Island Youth Summit kicked off last month with students from the Kealakehe area. Despite many challenges in planning this year — including a rapid pivot to a virtual event in the fall — Hōkūpaʻa and our planning partners kept this important work with youth and community a priority.