Youth leaders take places at Legislature

By Kapono Dowson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Pualani Lincoln is a big believer in self-reliance.

The opening ceremony for the 14th annual 'Aha 'Opio was yesterday in the House of Representatives chamber at the State Capitol. As part of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs program, 34 student delegates — all but one from Hawai'i high schools — will elect leaders, select issues, and write bills and resolutions. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Lincoln is a returning officer and previous 'Aha 'Opio delegate.

Young Native Hawaiian delegates, participating in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' annual 'Aha 'Opio youth legislature, took their places in the House Chambers at the State Capitol yesterday. Over the next week, 33 high school juniors from the Islands, plus one from California, will simulate the state legislative process.

The delegates will elect leaders from among themselves, determine issues to focus on and write bills and resolutions they will attempt to pass. The students will also meet government officials and be introduced to state agencies.

At yesterday's opening ceremonies, Haunani Apoliona, Office of Hawaiian Affairs chairwoman, encouraged delegates to remember some critical leadership qualities: competency, courage, compassion, character, commitment and community.

Apoliona said the students will learn to work together, to disagree with each other and then to choose the best outcome over the issues that are most important to them.

There was a hush in the chambers as Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego, a 17-year old senior at Punahou School, sang a lilting rendition of O Makalapua, a song about Queen Liliuokalani. It was her ho'okupu (ceremonial gift), which each delegate offered to the event leaders.

"You need to know where you come from," said Kaumeheiwa-Rego. "The thing that pushes me to learn my culture is to know who I am. My parents have always been involved with Hawaiian events."

The youth legislative session will give her a chance to explore a new direction. Kaumeheiwa-Rego, who originally was interested in oncology, is the director of Punahou's Holoku Pageant.

Now "I'm wavering more to helping my culture and promoting it," she said. "I'm thinking more of a political career with OHA or the Legislature."

Kaumeheiwa-Rego studied the Hawaiian language in school but learned its nuances through the hula. She said, "I'm interested in my culture. I love to dance the hula. I like other forms of dance, too. But with hula, you got to be into the culture to know what you are dancing about."

Kainoa Kaumeheiwa-Rego, 17, who will be a senior at Punahou School in the fall sings O Makalapua, which is a song about Queen Liliuokalani. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Nominated by their schools in their junior year, the delegates went through an application process and an interview, Jenkins said.

Ryan Mielke, OHA programs and information director, said the program's goal is "to develop young Hawaiians into effective community leaders."

"Over the past 14 years, about 700 'opio (youths) have attended," said Apoliona. "Many have gone on to higher education and run for neighborhood boards."

Said Aha 'Opio '98 alumni Kui Keliipio, 20: "The experience reminded me of my roots. Even when I'm abroad the experience still guides me. I can take it with me."

Keliipio, an Iolani graduate who now attends George Washington University in Washington, D.C., is majoring in international politics and Russian. He hopes to work for the government in foreign service.

The Iolani School Hawaiian Habitats class had a special invitation from Jenkins to attend the ceremony. Leimomi Kondo's class thought about the issues they would try to wrestle with if they were delegates.

Danielle Sato, 9, said, "Stop pollution."

Chelsie Takasaki, also 9, piped in quickly, "No wars. Nobody be poor!"