Kauilehuamelemele “Lehua” Kauhane of Waimea was among the William S. Richardson School of Law’s graduates when it hosted its spring commencement May 13. Kauhane’s degree is distinguished with Native Hawaiian and environmental law certificates.
Waimea woman
earns law certificate
Kauilehuamelemele “Lehua” Kauhane of Waimea was among the William S. Richardson School of Law’s graduates when it hosted its spring commencement May 13. Kauhane’s degree is distinguished with Native Hawaiian and environmental law certificates.
Kauhane’s Native Hawaiian law certificate is through Ka Huli Ao Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law.
Kauhane interned at the Department of Justice in its Environment and Natural Resources Division-Indian Resources Section in Washington, D.C. The internship allowed Kauhane to pursue her environmental justice interests and was made possible through a Ka Huli Ao summer fellowship.
N. Hawaii youths to attend anti-drug conference in July
Three Hawaii Island youth delegates and two adult advisers will attend to National Youth Leadership Institute at the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America’s midyear conference July 23 to 26 in Nashville, Tenn.
Youth delegates were selected by a team of five North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition leaders, based on a student essay. Youth shared their past efforts to support drug-free communities; what they felt was the biggest risk factor for youth in North Hawaii; what ideas and actions they have to reduce underage drinking or prevent substance abuse in their local (home and school) communities and what they are hoping to gain from attending the conference.
The youth delegates representing North Hawaii at this year’s conference are Makanani Akau of Waimea, a 10th-grader at Honokaa High, Hokuulaikaleiohu Pagan of Waimea, an eighth-grader attending Waimea Middle, and Kynan Kawai of Hawi, who attends Kamehameha Schools Hawaii at Keaau.
The adult advisers are Beth Mehau from The Pantry/Mama’s House Lifeplan Program in Waimea and David Fuertes from Ka Hana Noeau Mentorship Program in Kapaau. Additionally, Cielito Rooney, North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition leader representing the parent sector in Waikoloa, will attend.
Youth will receive four days of training to develop leadership capacity in mobilizing communities for change and will develop a plan of action to address local issues and contribute to a healthy, drug-free community. Adult advisers receive training on how to support youth leaders and commit to helping them implement their plan in the year following the training.
Credit union
presents scholarships
Big Island Federal Credit Union has awarded $10,000 in scholarships to seven Hawaii Island students based on their academic excellence, personal achievements, community involvement, academic and career goals and letters of recommendation.
Lauren Hill of Waiakea High School and Chapman University student Malina Fagan each received $2,500 scholarships. University of Hawaii students Shirley Dellinger and Melissa Bartholomew, Nicole Nakakura of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus, Jamie Ouye of Hilo High School and West Hawaii Explorations Academy student Lorelei Nakagawa each received $1,000 scholarships.
Lions Club
awards scholarships
The Kailua-Kona Lions recently awarded $2,000 in scholarships to Kealakehe High School seniors Gabriela Andrade, Allen Franco and Rachel T. K. Bianchi.
Andrade will study environmental architecture at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Franco will be a pre-medical student at Pacific University in Oregon. Bianchi will study animal sciences and pre-veterinarian medicine at Colorado State University.
Parker students participate
in poetry slam
Several Parker School students performed their original poems at the school’s April 30 slam poetry contest. Junior Megan Yost won the contest with a perfect score for her poem, “Surfaces.”
Organ-ized by English teacher Gillian Culff, the event allows students to read and perform their original works as the audience responds and judges the competition.