Hawaiian Community Assets has launched its Financial Education Program for Hawaii Youth designed to teach money management skills to youngsters ages 14 to 18.

The program is funded through the State of Hawaii Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Native Americans, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

"The decision to incorporate financial education for Hawaii youth into our community programs was based on need and an ever-growing desire to prepare our children as leaders in sustaining and promoting traditional cultural values in modern society," said Michelle Ka'uhane, executive director of Hawaiian Community Assets, a nonprofit organization. "If we can guide our youth toward financial self-sufficiency through education, then we can instill the necessary foundation for them to take part in asset building."

Placed within a historical-cultural context, the curriculum will promote the relationship between Hawai'i's traditional resource management and modern money management skills. A community involvement component, encouraging volunteerism within existing organizations and/or participation in student groups exploring solutions to existing local economic issues, will also be included in the curriculum's learning activities as ways to further youths' social, financial, and career goals.

For more information contact Youth Programs Coordinator Jeff Gilbreath at 587-7653 or via email at jeff@hclending.com.