LIHUE — “Mauka to Makai, Bully Free Kauai” That slogan took the prize for Kauai’s anti-bullying campaign and was submitted by Julie Goldberg, a ninth grader at Kauai High School. Goldberg told about 100 people gathered for a legislative forum
LIHUE — “Mauka to Makai, Bully Free Kauai”
That slogan took the prize for Kauai’s anti-bullying campaign and was submitted by Julie Goldberg, a ninth grader at Kauai High School.
Goldberg told about 100 people gathered for a legislative forum Thursday at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall that her original idea was, “Let’s have a bully free Kauai, from Mauka to Makai.”
”But my dad said that was too long,” she said, drawing laughs from the crowd. “So I changed it.”
In addition to awards, Thursday’s forum offered community members a chance to network, talk story with county and state legislators and learn about anti-bullying programs at Kauai public schools.
One of those programs is Phyllis Kunimura’s “Resolution/Empathy Process,” which she started as co-founder and director of the Kauai Independent Daycare Service preschool in Kapaa and is now being used at Kilauea Elementary.
Kunimura said bullying is out there and it is a problem, but there are successes in the community that should be celebrated — Kilauea being a perfect example.
”If we only talk about how bad it is, who wants to get involved … Let’s be proud of Kauai,” she said.
Kunimura said the entire staff at Kilauea Elementary has jumped on board with her five-step process and it is working.
Aileen Mawae, a long-time foster parent, who was at the event as a representative of the Foster Grandparent Program, believes bullying is about children trying to be big, show off and have control.
”We need to make sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” she said. “I think if we’re on top of it, keep in touch with it, we’ll be positive.”
Mawae added that she feels Kauai is doing a good job of keeping its eyes open to the problem and raising awareness.
Kalae Suhut, a kindergarten student at Wilcox Elementary, was recognized as the winner of the anti-bullying logo contest, which drew 733 entries from students around the island.
Ronald Miura of the Menehune Food Mart in Kapahi was recognized as the Employer of the Year for employing three people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Chris D’Angelo, environment writer, can be reached at 245-0441 or cdangelo@thegardenisland.com.
