Jonathan Gates attends Kaimuki High School and is vice president of the Honolulu District Student Council. During his freshman year, he was a student delegate to the Secondary Student Conference. He served as sophomore class president and was a legislative intern for state Rep. Brian Schatz. As a junior, he was team captain for the Kaimuki High School Science Bowl Team. He currently serves as Interact Club president and is a member of the Junior Young Buddhist Association. Gates plans to major in political science and pursue a career in the foreign service or secondary education.

Alexia Kwok is student body president at McKinley High School. She is also president of the Honolulu District Student Council. During her freshman and sophomore years, she served as class president. As a junior, she was student body president and a student representative on the School Community Council. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Forensic League. Kwok plans to obtain a degree in journalism or literature, and pursue a career as a broadcast journalist.

Chosen as alternates to the 2008 program were Kevin Donahue of St. Louis School and Trinity Nguyen of 'Aiea High School.

"Jonathan and Alexia are two outstanding students who will represent Hawai'i very well," Inouye said. "Senator Akaka and I are very pleased that they will be participating in this special program. This will be an invaluable experience for them, and it will deepen their understanding of how the Senate and the federal government works."