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Click here for 2012
Youth Leadership Conference information and
highlights
Welcome to 2011 Youth Leadership Conference - click here for April
28, 2011 Youth Conference.
(Click here for 2010 photo
highlights)
Valley of
Rainbows' 6th Annual Youth Leadership Conference was held Thursday,
April 22, 2010. Over 350 high school students, grades 9-12,
from Nanakuli,
Waianae and Kapolei High School attended this one-day educational
conference. As they arrived at school, they were provided
with breakfast
and drink before boarding an air-conditioned bus which
transported them to Hawaii Convention Center for the Honolulu
National
College Fair
where they met with 300+ college representives from across the US
and South Pacific to learn more about college applIcation
process,
financial aid, dorm fees, course offerings and college campus
life.
Later, they
were picked up and transferred to Sheraton Waikiki where they were
warmly greeted by alumni and volunteers with a lei. At
each
seat students
found a school backpack, yummy favor box filled with snacks and
treats, followed by a delicious buffet lunch. While
dining they
were
enterained by American Idol finalist, Jordan Segundo who rocked the
house with his lively performance.
Pule was
offered by Lyle Kaloi and Celine Nelsen did a fabulous job as our
emcee. Conference and keynote speakers included: Mayor
Mufi
Hannemann; Ron
Mizutani (KHON 2 News Anchor); and Wendy Peltier (WHS graduate who
shared her story about living with foster families
and her
challenges growing up on the Leeward Coast). UH and Community
College counselors showcased Hawaii college campuses, requirements
and how to
prepare for college. Special drawings were held with 3 laptop
netbooks were awarded along with other great door prizes.
Students
were invited
on stage to sing their Alma Mater which they did proudly, their
music echoing down the halls. Before boarding their bus home,
they
formed a large
circle around the ballroom to sing Hawaii Aloha together as a
group. Mahalo to these DOE staff who helped facilitate
registration
forms and
chaperones: Mr. Shane Nakamura and Mrs. Linda Tanaka (WHS);
Mrs. Jean Nishi (NHIS) and Mrs. Lolita Takeda (KHS).
School
Counselors
-
Waianae HS - Mr. Shane Nakamura at 697-7056
-
Nanakuli IHS - Ms. Jean Nishi at
668-5823
-
Kapolei HS - Ms. Lolita Takeda at 692-8200
x2346
   
2010 Conference
Highlights
·
FREE to Waianae, Nanakuli and Kapolei students. (Grades 9-12) Space
limited.
·
Breakfast &
lunch included
· Transportation
to/from school (A/C bus)
·
College Fair,
Financial Aid Resources and
Guidance
·
Leadership
Conference with lunch @
Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, workshops.
·
Special guest
speakers
·
Alma Mater
Showcase, Door Prizes
Space is limited -
register early. Preference to those who have NOT attended
prior conferences.
SCHEDULE FOR THE
DAY
7:15 a.m. – Pick up from school, breakfast & shirt
provided
8:30 a.m. – Arrival at Hawaii Convention Center (HCC), Attend
National College Fair
Visit over 300+ campus booths, ask questions, get info,
learn!
10:45 a.m.
Depart HCC for Sheraton Waikiki
Hotel
11am-4pm Buffet
Lunch and Youth Leadership
Conference
Speakers:
Honorable Mayor Mufi Hannemann; Ron Mizutani/KHON2
Anchor
Special
performance by Jordan Segundo, American Idol
finalist!
College Planning and Preparation by Sheryl Higa and Genai Keli'ikuli
with Leeward
Community
College, Waianae campus and University of Hawaii
and Hawaii
College Showcase - UH Manoa, UH Hilo, Leeward CC,
Honolulu CC
Kapiolani CC and UH West O'ahu
Alma
Mater Showcase, Door
Prizes
Depart Waikiki – return to school by
5:15pm
Includes: Breakfast, conference shirt, back pack,
lunch, and great info!
Be sure to pre-register at www.nacacnet.org to avoid long
long lines at entry/registration.
Bring your bar code form with
you.
Mahalo to our 2010
Sponsors:
James & Abigail
Campbell Foundation*
C&C of Honolulu –
Comm. Benefits Grant
First Hawaiian
Bank
Friends of Hawaii
Charities
Hawaii Hotel Lodging
Association/VICW
Kamehameha
Schools
KHON
2
Leeward Community
College/GEAR UP
McInerny
Foundation
NFL
Charities
Office of Hawaiian
Affairs
Queen Lil’iuokalani
Children’s Center
Dawn
Farm-Ramsey
Searider
Productions
Ua Ao 'o Kapolei
Westside Stories
(*pending)
2009 Youth
Leadership Conference was held February 12, 2009@ JW Marriott
Ihilani Resort and Spa at Ko Olina
Check out our student Global Youth Service Day (GYSD)
Learning Project! Click
here.
456 Leeward
Coast students,
grades 8-12, attended the 5th Annual Youth
Leadership Conference scheduled February 12, 2009 at JW Marriott
Ihilani Resort and Spa. Students from Nanakuli, Waianae
and Kapolei High and Intermediate heard from motivational
speakers and participated in breakout sesions on career
development, leadership, setting goals and college planning.
The purpose of the conference is to instill the importance of higher
education and provide tools and resources to set and
achieve goals. A College Fair and Community Resource
Exhibits was also held.
 Check out 2008
highlights, click here.
Featured Speakers and Activities 2009 (check
out previous conference photos)
-
Honorable Mufi Hannemann, Mayor C&C of
Honolulu. 
-
Maya
Soetoro Ng, Ph.D., President Barack Obama's sister, educational
instructor & lecturer.
-
Celine
Nelsen, President, Pacific Leadership Partners, LLC
-
Colt
Brennan,k previous UH football quaterback and NFL Washington
Redskins player.
-
Ed
Yamamura, McDonald's Nanakuli, Waianae and Kapolei
owner
-
Djuan
Rivers, VP Disney Vacation Club and Resort Hawaii
-
Dr. Keola
(Christina) Adams, Family Practice, Waianae Coast Comp. Health
Center Jeff
Gilbreath, Hawaiian Community Assets
-
Steve
Morales, Kamehameha Schools
-
Jan
Shimabukuro, Jean StavRue, and Nicole Keim-Fortuno, Leeward
Comm. College Counselors
-
Career and
College Career Assessment using www.hi.kuder.com software,
presented by Dirk Soma and Kamehameha Schools Scholars
Program. For 2009 , click here.
-
College
Fair Exhibits (Remington College, Leeward Community College,
Chaminade University, Ma'o Farms, Waianae Health Academy,
University of Hawaii, Kapiolani Community College,  Honolulu Community College, and
others)
-
Financial
Aid and College Planning Workshop for parents and committee
students, Feb. 19
-
-
School
Cheer and Alma Mater Sing Fest
Students
attend this conference free of charge,
sponsored by business and corporate partners.   Check with school counselor for
registration forms.
Mahalo to our 2009
Sponsors: C&C of Honolulu Community
Benefits grant, NFL
Charities, Office of Hawaiian
Affairs, Kamehameha Schools
Scholars Program, James and Abigail
Campbell Family Foundation, Office
of Hawaiian Affairs, Leeward
Community College, Queen
Lili'uokalani Children's Center, Aloha Care, Friends of Hawaii
Charities, Hawaiian Electric
Co., Hawaii Hotel Lodging
Association, Ko Olina
Resorts and Marina, Hawaiian
Electric, Grace
Pacific, C&C of Honolulu Drug Free Grant, Searider Productions,
and Westside Stories. (Return to
top)
2009 Youth Planning Committee
members. Students and staff from the
participating schools assist with the coordination and logistics of
the conference and begin meeting October 2008 until conference
date. Mahalo to our future leaders:
Nanakuli High and Intermediate:
Tabitha Ayala, Sophia Carba, Amanda Fujikawa, Jaclyn and
Joclyn Inocelda, Caylee-Jay Lopes, Andrea Kalaaukahi, Brieanne
Nakanelua, Napualani Koyama-Sojot, Kaleimomi Wong, Camille Simon and
PNC: Ms. Jean Nishi. Principal: Darin
Pilialoha.
Waianae High and Intermediate Schools:
Sean Bongo, Colby Corneau, Lindsey Ka'awaloa, Lopaka
Keliikoa, Janee Lee, Janise Mayo, Nate McCloud, Heidi
Neidhardt, Maelyssa Pa'akaula, Melody Rigney, Samuel Spake and
Teu'uila Wendt. DOE Teacher/Counselor: Candy
Suiso, Searider Productions Director and Janice Uemori, WHS
Counselor. Principal: Jo Ann
Kumasaka.
Kapolei High School: Tatyana
Gaea, Vashni Helenihi and Makalei Pacheco. PNC:
Lolita Takeda. Principal: Alvin Nagasako. (Return to
top)
Global
Youth Service Day Community Project (GYSD)- weekend of April 24-26,
2009 
New
this year! Global Youth
Service Day project is a new youth program of Valley of
Rainbows in partnership with Youth Service America. This is
the largest service event in the world where millions of youth
design and lead projects in their community. The Youth
Planning Committee members have chosen a variety of community
projects to support their community focusing on human service needs
on the Leeward Coast of O'ahu and will be completed the weekend of
April 24-26, 2009. We will:
- Create and assemble Aloha Care Kits
to distribute to homeless families and their children consisting
of toiletries, non-perishable foods, clothing and other
necessities. An educational and career component will also
be included to assist with work development.
- Beautify Kea'au Beach Park in
Makaha for our community. Meet at 9 a.m. on Saturday,
April 25, 2009 until 11 a.m. Lunch, shirts and water will be
provided. The City's Dept. of Parks and Recreation will
assist with supplies. Wear comfortable shoes and bring sun
screen or hat/visor.
- Take a stand against irresponsible
driving. Traffic safety and staying alive workshops to help
alleviate the high incidence of traffic fatalities along
Farrington Hwy. Will be holding signs and asking motorists
to 'Drive Safe, Arrive Alive". Working with Honolulu Police
Department we will be sign-waving in three locations,
simultaneously: Chili's Restaurant in Kapolei, Nanakuli
Beach Park and in front of Waianae High School on Friday,
April 24, 2009, 3-5:30 p.m.
Volunteers, resources and funding is needed to assist
these dedicated youth in fulfiling this community project.
This is a GREAT business and company project, involving your
employees and staff. To assist with volunteers, resources
(in-kind support) or sponsorships please contact Hanalei
Aipolanai at (808) 351-3989 or email at gysd_Hawaii@yahoo.com or
Denice Keliikoa at denice@valleyofrainbows.org.
(return to
top)
2008 Youth Leadership Conference, See
What Youth Can Do!
Tuesday,
January 29, 2008 @ JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa
presented by
Valley of Rainbows, Making Dreams Come True
450 high chool students, grades 9-12, from
Nanakuli, Waianae and Kapolei High Schools attended the 4th Annual
Youth Leadership Conference on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at JW
Marriott Ihilani Resort and Spa. Dept. of Education
administrators, counselors, teachers, sponsors, and government
officials were also invited, a total of 556 participants were
involved with this one-day educational conference.
Our
featured speakers shared their knowledge, wisdom, and experience
with these young leaders. They were:
-
Senator
Colleen Hanabusa
-
C&C of
Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann
-
Celine
Nelsen, President Pacific Leadership Partners (sponsored by
Kamehameha Schools)
-
Mervlyn
Kitashima
Leadership Breakout Speakers:
-
College
Planning: Jan Shimabukuro and Larry Andres (LCC Counselors
and Faculty)
-
Career
Panelists: Dr. Alean Cook-Palmer, (UH John A. Burns School
of Medicine, Faculty); Micah Kane, (Dept of Hawaiian Homes Chair);
Dr. Gene Awakuni (UH West O'ahu, Chancellor); and Dawn O'Brien
(Morning radio personality with Salem Media FISH 95.5) with
Hanalei Aipoalani (NHIS Alumni), moderator.
-
7 Habits
of Highly Effective Teens: Steve Morales (Kamehameha
Scholars Program).
-
Kuder
Assessment and Online Surveys: Kamehameha Schools Staff with
40 laptops.
-
Setting
and Achieiving Goals/Life on Campus: Rocky Savaiigaea (UH
Student Athlete); Mishan Suiso (WHS Alumni and Account Executive
with Verizon Wireless).College Fair and Community
Resources:
Leeward
Community College (Waianae and Main Campus), Kapiolani Community
College, University of Hawaii at Hilo, University of Hawaii West
Oahu, INPEACE Ka Lama Education Academy, Waianae Health Academy,
Cahminade University, Remington College, Hawaii Pacific University,
Heald Business College, Office of Hawaiian Affairs/Kaui Inoa,
Kamehameha Schools Financial Aid Office and Kamehameha Scholars,
Ma'o Farms Scholarships, Liko A'e, YMCA of Honolulu, Honolulu
Community College, Windward Community College, and College
Connections.
Mahalo to our 2008
Sponsors: C&C Community
Benefits Grant, Kamehameha Schools, James & Abigail Campbell
Family Foundation, Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center,
NFL Charities, GearUp/LCC, Friends of Hawaii Charities, Ko
Olina Charities, Kosasa Family Foundation, Kau Inoa, C&C of
Honolulu Mayor's Anti-Drug Grant, Grace Pacific, Chevron Hawaii,
Westside Stories, and Searider
Productions.
2008 Guest
Speakers: Senator
Colleen Hanabusa, Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Celine Pi'ilani Nelsen, Dr.
Gene Awakuni, Dr. Alean Cook-Palmer, Micah Kane, Steve Morales,
Jan Shimabukuro, Larry Andres, Mishan Suiso, Mervlyn Kitashima,
Hanalei Aipoalani (moderator), Kamehameha Schools staff, and
more! Mahalo to our speakers for sharing their time and
experience with us!
Entertainment: Nanakuli Intermediate & High School Performing
Arts
The purpose of
the Youth Leadership Conference, See What Youth Can Do Conference is
focused on leadership and the importance of a higher education
with career resources and a college fair to help the
students. Workshop topics include sessions on:
Leadership, College Planning, Career and Goal Setting, Personal
Development, and College/Career Assessment.
2007 Guest speakers: The
Honorable Mayor Mufi Hannemann; Celine Pi'ilani Nelsen,
President and Founder of Pacific Leadership Partners
LLC; Dustin Shindo, President/CEO with Hoku Scientific; Anthony
Guerrero, Vice Chairman with First Hawaiian Bank;
Dr. Ric Custodio, Medical Director with Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health
Center, Larry Andres and Kami Kato with UH/Leeward Community College,
Helen Wai and Kamehameha Schools
staff.
Bruce Murakami and Justin Cabezes with Safe Teen Driver will share
their important story about reckless teen driving, forgiving and
moving forward.
Entertainment: Nanakuli
Performing Arts Program from Nanakuli High and Intermediate
School and Augie T will entertain the students during lunch.
Student representatives from Nanakuli and Waianae high
schools (students in the black shirts) formed the The Planning
Committee, who met months in advance help
organize this awesome event. They provided input on the topics,
choice of speakers, created the conference logo, promoted within
their school and helped develop and collect registration
forms. (Continue reading below for more info and
conference
highlights)
   
    
  
  (Photos by Devon Gomes, courtesy of
Westside Stories)
Special
thanks to our 2007 sponsors:
Other contributors: Westside Stories, Searider
Productions, Nanakuli Performing Arts Program, NHIS Graphic
Arts, Jamba Juice Kapolei, Starbucks Kapolei, and A Cookie
Corner
College Fair
Participants: Remington
College, Hawaii
Business College, University of Hawaii at Manoa,
University of Phoenix
Hawaii, Leeward
Community College, Kapi'olani
Community College, Waianae Health
Academy, Waianae
Maritime Academy, Honolulu
Community College, INPEACE - Ka Lama Education
Academy, Kamehameha Schools,
Big Brothers & Sisters of
Honolulu, College
Connections and Safe Teen
Driver
Post
Conference activities include helping Junior and Senior
students begin their college planning process. Funds are
available to assist with SAT registration and testing
fees. Financial aid and college planning workshops are
planned Thursday, February 22, 2007 at Waianae High School Career
Counseling Center, 6:30-9pm and Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at
Nanakuli High & Intermediate School Cafeteria/Auditorium,
6:30-9pm. Contact GearUp at (808) 454-4772 or see your school
counselor for more info. This is a FREE workshop for parents
and students, dinner provided.
Online Career and College Assessment - www.hi.kuder.com
All students received batch codes to participate in the www.hi.kuder.com online career
and college assessment surveys. This is another free service
sponsored by Valley of Rainbows for all students, grades 5 to
adulthood.
The Kuder
system is the premier online career assessment system, providing
a comprehensive, research-based approach to career exploration,
planning, and development. It is brief, user-friendly, and it’s
results–based on extensive research–are highly reliable. The KCPS relates the results of
interests, skills, and work values assessments to occupational
information. The system opens the door to continued exploration with
direct links to job opportunities, postsecondary options,
scholarship and financial aid information, and additional career
development resources.
This system will give students the resources
to set goals and make career decisions based on their personal
interests and abilities. We have an opportunity to
inspire student enthusiasm for career planning, help them understand
their available opportunities, and prepare them
for post-high school success.
Click here to access www.hi.kuder.com batch
codes.
E-mail denice@valleyofrainbows.org
for additional information.
Valley of
Rainbows....Making Dreams Come True!
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