HANAMA‘ULU — Some 150 middle- and high-school students gathered at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort recently to make public pledges to remain drug free. “Ho‘omakaukau a Ho‘ololi I ka na ‘Opio,” or “Make a Difference for Our Youth,” was the
HANAMA‘ULU — Some 150 middle- and high-school students gathered at the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort recently to make public pledges to remain drug free.
“Ho‘omakaukau a Ho‘ololi I ka na ‘Opio,” or “Make a Difference for Our Youth,” was the theme of the Second Safe and Drug-Free Conference.
Students from all over the island were implored, in a number of ways, to bring the message of being drug free back to their schools and neighborhoods.
“We really cherish you,” said Daniel Hamada, state Department of Education Kaua‘i public-school superintendent, to the students in his opening remarks.
“This whole day is dedicated to you. Take it back, and we hope that you spread the message.”
About 30 students from each of the public middle and high schools were treated to a show by O‘ahu dancers, and speeches by inspirational men and women from around the state.
A dozen people were treated to makeovers, courtesy of Sassy and G magazines.
“It’s a total community” effort, said Roy Nishida, county anti-drug planning coordinator. “We hope they will take what they learn and bring it back with them.”
He added that a number of groups, from the state DOE to the county to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, as well as local businesses like M. Miura Store, helped put on the event.
Alan Silva, an inspirational speaker and a basketball “jump-shot expert” from the DOE, forced the students to think about their future, and gave them examples of what choices can do in a person’s life.
“All of you have tools and gifts to do anything you want,” Silva said to one of the groups. “If you could choose any career, what would you do? Go ahead (dream big), your fairy Godfather is here today.”
He added that attitude is 100 percent of success or failure.
“The way you think is the way you feel. The way you feel is the way you act,” he said. “Actions become habits. Habits become performance,” Silva said.
“Be aware of the way you’re thinking. Changing the way you feel is as easy as changing the way you think.
“Today is the window of opportunity. The hardest thing to do (when trying to) reach your goals is taking that step. You have to believe in yourself, that’s the first part,” he said. “Start working on the way you’re thinking.”
Many conference participants, including the selected students, said the highlight of the day was the makeovers.
Flanked by “beauty specialists” supplied by Sassy and G magazine, six boys and six girls were treated to makeovers including new outfits from M. Miura Store.
The students who both attended the conference and got makeovers were picked because of winning anti-drug essays they wrote, Nishida said.
Staff Writer Tom Finnegan may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or mailto:tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
