April 2009

Pi`ina Hoku and the Annual Adult Leadership program both held their government day programs during this first quarter legislative session with new leadership at the helm of government at the national and local level.  Activities included a presentation on how to advocate for legislation through writing effective testimony and how to track bills. Students also heard from County Council members and LK class of 2005 Mayor Bernard Carvalho regarding the new administration’s community initiatives for the County of Kaua`i.  Classes became acquainted with the Kaua`i General Plan, reviewed by County Planning Director, Ian Costa. Pi`ina Hoku students visited the Court house to learn effective public speaking tips from Performing Arts Center manager and radio personality, Tony Kilbert. Youth students also met with Judge Randall Valenciano and the Kaua`i High Mock Trial Team.

The first quarterly Leadership Kaua`i Alumni Network (LKAN) gathering was held on Thursday, February 26th at the Kaua`i Marriott Resort and Beach Club with a luncheon and guest speaker from Pacific Leadership Partners, Celine P. Nelsen. Celine’s message was motivational and energy packed.  She encouraged building a shared vision and enforcing positive thinking for Leadership Kaua`i alumni in facing difficult times ahead.

The event was attended by representatives of each of the adult alumni classes of 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, past Executive Directors, Jay Furfaro and Tim Bynum, prospective future Leadership Kaua`i candidates, board members and donors.

LKAN (Leadership Kaua`i Alumni Network) chair and Leadership Kaua`i board director, Char Ravelo announced the monthly “think tank” and social gatherings being held on the first Tuesday of each month at 4:00 p.m at the Kaua`i Chamber of Commerce office in Lihu`e.  For more information regarding upcoming alumni meetings and initiatives contact class of 2008 representative and alumni co-chair, Brenda Jose at 246-8727.

We wish to recognize and express special thanks to the following individuals, businesses and organizations.  It is with your continued support that makes Leadership Kaua`i possible and able to achieve its mission.

On February 17, 2009, Leadership Kaua`i launched its donor recognition program through the presentation of the Ilima Papa award, using specially-permitted koa from Kaua`i crafted by community volunteers (The Professionals) to the Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund and the Hawai`i Community Foundation (HCF).  The Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund and HCF is one of five donors who meet the cumulative goals listed in the Ilima Papa category of $50,000 or more, the highest level of contribution.  Their ongoing committment to Leadership Kaua`i helped launch the Pi`ina Hoku youth leadership program.

On March 13, 2009, Leadership Kaua`i’s donor recognition program honored Kukui`ula Development Co., LLC with their koa donor plaque representing the many years of commitment as a sponsoring and participating agency.  At the recent development panel discussion attended by both youth and adult programs at the Princeville Clubhouse, Community Relations Manager, Gini Kapali was present to accept the recognition. Kukui`ula Development is in the Maile category, the second highest level of giving identified through the Ala Kukui (Founder’s Circle) and Ohana of Support.

On April 18, 2009, at the Pi`ina Hoku youth leadership program graduation, Leadership Kaua`i’s donor recognition program presented koa donor plaques to the County of Kaua`i and the Kaua`i Visitors Bureau (KVB).  George Costa, Director of the Office of Economic Development and Sue Kanoho, Executive Director of  KVB were present to accept their respective recognition.  The County of Kaua`i is one of Leadership Kaua`i’s top five donors in the highest level of contribution, the Ilima Papa category of $50,000 or more and Kaua`i Visitors Bureau has earned the Palapalai category of giving.  Both organizations’ support this past year has made Leadership Kaua`i’s programs possible.

Leadership Kaua`i’s annual campaign has begun.  We are pleased to acknowledge the following donations received to date from:

• Sheraton Kaua`i
• National Tropical Botanical Garden
• Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

19 Juniors from Pi`ina Hoku teamed up with 23 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) students for Leadership Kaua`i’s final youth retreat of its third annual youth class.  The combined efforts between the Rotary clubs of Kaua`i and Leadership Kaua`i provided a great venue for peer mentoring, team building, problem solving, building consensus, and social competencies to be developed during the three day retreat.  In addition, students focused on goal setting, visioning, career planning and mock interviews.   “After discussions between myself and Executive Director, Mason Chock,  it became apparent that RYLA and Leadership Kaua`i’s Pi`ina Hoku program was delivering similar messages and content through our own respective camps.   We saw it  as a mutual benefit to both programs to partner on this initiative,” said Kaua`i Rotary member and RYLA camp coordinator, Tom Lodico, “We are very happy with the collaborative effort.  Pi`ina Hoku students get to put into practice the leadership skills that they have attained throughout their 10 month tenure with Leadership Kaua`i with their peers,” said Program Director Brenda Jose.

One of the retreat days at the Waipa Foundation fronting Hanalei Bay, Noland Conjugacion and Frank Palakiko Yagodich taught students how to use their innate extra sensory systems to build sensitivity to their environment, each other and the needs of the collective through the Native Tracking Project.  This interactive presentation covered the diversity of cultures that we are all connected with, as people of the planet.

The combined camp concluded with a presentation of a RYLA course certificate. Pi`ina Hoku graduated its 19 high school juniors on Saturday, April 19th at the Kaua`i Marriott Resort & Beach Club Kaua`i Ballroom. The 23 RYLA students, comprised of mostly high school sophomores, are now being sought out as candidates for Pi`ina Hoku’s class of 2010.

After investing 10 months of their energy into leadership development, our 19 juniors from Pi`ina Hoku class of 2009 representing schools throughout Kaua`i are ready to go forth into the community and make Kaua`i a better place to live.  On Saturday, April 18th, the Pi`ina Hoku graduation commencement took place at the Kaua`i Marriott Resort and Beach Club Kaua`i Ballroom.  Students shared their experiences and gained knowledge with friends, family and Leadership Kaua`i supporters.

As we end another great year in leadership, we are already preparing for our next group of leadership students.  The staff at Leadership Kaua`i have been actively recruiting for next year’s participants through presentations at each of our island schools. We are seeking a diverse group of high school juniors with varying backgrounds, perspectives and interests with a passion for Kaua`i and service within the community.  If you or anyone you know are interested in participating in next year’s program, please download our application by clicking on the link below or contacting our office at (808) 246-8727.

For the Pi`ina Hoku Youth Leadership Program application, click here

For the Annual Adult Leadership Program application, click here

Pi`ina Hoku youth leadership class of 2009 held their community project “Follow our Future Leaders” fun run benefit on Saturday, April 11th.  This year’s class chose to raise funds towards youth program scholarships for next year. Over 80 runners came out early Saturday morning to participate in a 2k and 5k run.

$2,500 was raised to support scholarships for next year’s youth leadership students that will help to ensure a diverse representation of all schools and backgrounds.

To view the fun run through Hawaii Stream Live Web Broadcasting, click here.

Acknowledgment goes out to all event sponsors including Kurt Toma of Big Save, Menehune Water, Signature Linings, Kaua`i Coffee, Barbara Frasco from Akita Enterprise, Syngenta, Kapa`a Banana Company, Northshore Cleaning LLC, Kaua`i Fire Department, Kaua`i Police Department – Waimea Substation, Kaua`i Osteopathy – Dr. Lisa Chun, Kaua`i Chocolate Company, Fantasy Shirts and Thomas Nizo.  Mahalo to Rodney Martin and Basil Scott from Waimea high school track, parent volunteers, LK alumni, and LK board members. Thanks to all who came out early for the healthy activity supporting our future leaders.

Special thanks to Sheraton Kaua`i for the support of this year’s four Leadership Kaua`i community projects through a $5,000 donation.