LIHU‘E — When the girl started talking about wanting to take her life, Bridget Arume knew they couldn’t leave her alone. So they didn’t. “We watched her until someone came and we could let her go,” Arume said. Arume is
LIHU‘E — When the girl started talking about wanting to take her life, Bridget Arume knew they couldn’t leave her alone.
So they didn’t.
“We watched her until someone came and we could let her go,” Arume said.
Arume is the adviser for Kaua‘i Leaders Against Suicide, one of several community organizations offering resources for teens and families. The group had displays and activities for teens during the Kukui Grove Center’s First Fridays — Teens Night Out.
“The kids from KLAS wanted to participate in this event, and did all the work leading up to the event,” she said.
KLAS and other community agencies, including Hale ‘Opio tying in May as Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, Planned Parenthood, Hawai‘i Youth Services Network, Kid’s Choice from the Mayor’s Office, Child & Family Services, and Malama Pono, took advantage of Teens Night Out to have related service information readily available.
“This is really good,” said Cynthia Chiang of Hawai‘i Planned Parenthood.
“We had a big crowd earlier. The young people are eager to learn about contraception and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. I’m glad we have the information they can use.”
Jonel Kaohelauli‘i, Kukui Grove marketing manager, said First Fridays is part of the mall’s summer series events from 5:30 to 9 p.m. the first Friday of the month.
In addition the summer series, the Kukui Grove Center is partnering with the Kaua‘i Police Department on a student safety poster contest in conjunction with National Police Week.
Some of the safety examples include buckle up, safety seats, no texting while driving and don’t talk to strangers.
Entries must be delivered to the Kukui Grove Management office before 4 p.m. May 13. Winners will be announced on May 14 when the National Police Week display is unveiled.
