June 2008 | Leadership Kauai

1. Graduation Class of 2008 Youth Pi`ina Hoku and Adu

On Saturday, April 27th 2008 Leadership Kaua’i celebrated their second annual youth leadership class graduation at Gaylord’s, Kilohana. The event included a detailed presentation by the graduates of their year in leadership, community projects and team building for Kaua’i’s future. Keynote speaker, Celine Nelsen spoke on the commitment and responsibility to leadership in the 21^st century. Pi`ina Hoku is made possible through funding assistance from the County of Kaua`i, the Atherton Foundation, and the Annie Sinclair Knudsen Memorial Fund through the Hawai`i Community Foundation.

Leadership Kaua`i is now accepting applications for its 2008-2009 Annual Leadership Program for adults (due July 7) and Pi`ina Hoku (Stars that Rise), a youth leadership program for teens who will be high school juniors next year (June 13 ). Both programs will begin in August 2008. Download the Pi`ina Hoku application here.

Next to graduate on Friday, June 20th is our adult class of 2008. This year’s graduation will be held at the Sheraton Kaua`i, in Po`ipu. Please join us in celebration of our students year in leadership and community service. RSVP by June 13th at 246-8727.
Click here for Applications for the annual leadership program for the class of 2009.

During my junior year in high school, I participated in the 2006-2007 Youth Leadership Kauai Program. My youth leadership class comprised the inaugural year for Leadership Kauai. Upon my acceptance in the program, I became a bit nervous because I knew that there were many unfamiliar faces participating in Leadership Kauai that were outside of my peer group at Kauai High School. Upon my own self analysis, I realized that I needed to reach outside of my comfort zone and participate in something that would grow me into an island leader, a participating citizen, and a thoughtful young adult. No other high school program afforded me these comprehensive opportunities. Now, nearly a year after I graduated from Leadership Kauai, I realize that the program offered everything that I sought and presented a platform for me to better understand the importance of three core concepts: Respect, Teamwork, and Responsibility.

Through the program experience, my interpretation of the word respect grew. As a 16 year old, I realized that I inadvertently narrowed my world by limiting my relationships to people who were involved in activities and sports that were close to my value set. Leadership Kauai brought a very diverse group together with the only common goal being our interest in the opportunities that this program provided. Whereas I came from a strong nuclear family with supportive parents, I realized that some of the other participants did not have as secure a base as I did, yet their unique characteristics allowed me to expand my point of view and appreciate who they are and their distinctive circumstances. Leadership Kauai required all of us to be vulnerable as we shared some of our inner most insecurities, stories, and thoughts. I recall one day on the west side where we were all asked to listen to each other as we shared experiences one person at a time. The exercise would have been difficult had we all not expanded our view of respect. From that day forward respect requires that I remain inclusive, responsive, supportive, and forever a good listener.

Teamwork was an everyday occurrence at Leadership Kauai. We were only as strong as the collective group. The benefits of understanding teamwork were best depicted in our volunteer project. Our group commitment to teamwork allowed us to take an eye sore of a facility, Kapa’a Skate Park, and recreate it into a beautiful community asset. Not one of us alone could have accomplished what we did as a group. Our efforts remain today as a useful place for the island’s youth to skateboard, and a memory for me that symbolizes the epitome of teamwork.

A requirement of Leadership Kauai participation was responsibility. We all needed to have faith in each other, knowing that our exercises and projects required our individual and collective input. Our commitment to being responsible to one another ran deep. Discussions were open and demanded that we each trust and care for each other. Exercises in responsibility were also learned in the field where we each protected and assisted each other in challenging acts that tested our commitment to one another.

Leadership Kauai’s strong impression on me made it the primary focus of my college application essay. Rather than selecting a pre-assigned topic, I chose to expound on the virtues of the program and how it provided impactful lessons that I will use throughout my life. It is not often where an enthusiastic group of youth come together to grow and solve issues. A classroom discussion in AP History or AP English does not afford the latitude that Leadership Kauai does. I believe that expression in a safe and secure environment for youth is critically needed on Kauai, and Leadership Kauai answers this calling. I will carry the lessons learned with me and seek to share the same as I move further into adulthood.

Back to Top 3. Community Projects 2008 This year members of the Pi‘ina Hoku (Stars that Rise) 2008 Youth Program committed to “Operation: Restore Polihale”, a community project that comes at a much needed time and has included cleaning of the campground and bathroom areas.

The Adult and Youth Leadership Kauai students have undergone a joint community outreach project working with Wayne Souza from the department of Parks and Recreation that will help restore Polihale Beach Park. They have worked diligently with the state to fix the road in to Polihale as well as restore water service to the area. They have completed three work days where they painted, cleaned and added fixtures to the restrooms, painted and cleared the brush around pavilions. They have recently completed their last day on May 18^th, 2008 where they restored the BBQ Pits and installed vehicle barriers as well as finished the painting and fixture installation for the main restroom. They group has decided to have a yearly event where they try to upkeep their work and help maintain the beauty of Polihale State Park.

Back to Top 4. Leadership Kauai Introduces New Program On June 18th, Leadership Kaua`i will enlist 20 students, ages 16-18 years of age to begin a series of classes focused on identifying career and lifestyle directions. In partnership with the Office of Economic Development and Kaua`i Community College, Leadership Kaua`i intends to deliver a monthly class dedicated to building skills neccessary to succeed in our workforce. “We want to see our youth remain on our island and prosper. With the right direction and support we hope to mentor each student into their field of interest.” said Director of Operations, Lynn Lewis. At the completion of this career and work readiness course, students will be matched with professionals to further investigate and gain knowledge to become successful in their careers.

Call for Mentors and Internships

Leadership Kaua`i would like to identify a pool of mentors and internship opportunities for our youth participants. The youth program incorporates career direction, development and job shadowing opportunities as often as possible. With the current Alumni and leaders we’ve developed in our community, we believe it is possible to find good matches to youth career interests. If you would like more information, are willing to mentor or if your employer offers internships for high school students, please email Lynn Lewis, lynn@leadershipkauai.org.

Back to Top 5. Philanthropy In MotionLeadership Kaua`i has experienced huge growth within the first half of 2008 and we would like to thank our growing ohana of supporters for the many sponsorships, donations, and in-kind support we have recieved to invest in our future Kaua`i leaders. At the recent Norwegian Cruiseline fundraiser this past May, Leadership Kaua`i managed to raise over $56,000 thanks to the many supporters that attended the gala. We would like to recognize the list of donors below who contributed to the success of this event.

Most recently Leadership Kauai recieved grant donations from Bank of Hawai`i, S.W Wilcox Foundation, Kaua`i United Way, A & B Foundation and $20,000 from Tom and Bonnie McCloskey. “As members of the founders group, Bonnie and I are delighted to support Leadership Kaua`i,” said Tom McCloskey. ” We believe in the programs mission to ensure future leadership for Kaua`i. Mason Chock is doing a fine job leading the organization with dedication, energy and effective momentum. We are honored to sponsor Leadership Kaua`i and look forward to its continued success.

Leadership Kauai instructor, Bill Cathers with the McCloskeys.
Kirk Nakamoto and Sonia Topenio from Bank of Hawai`i
present a check to Leadership Kaua`i.

Over the last three years Leadership Kauai has graduated 76 outstanding leaders to serve our island community’s future needs. We currently have 20 Adult participants in our 2008 leadership program. Seventeen youth have recently graduated on Sunday April 26^th at Gaylords in Kilohana and our Adult class is scheduled to graduate on Friday, June 20^th 2008 at the Sheraton Kaua’i Resort. Mahalo for helping build a brighter future for our people and our island.