November 10, 2011
Contributed by Thomas Yoshida
The three KS-Kapālama seniors are Jenai Akina, LeShae Henderson and James Rapoza-Lee, who were chosen based on their school and community service and involvement, grades, leadership, interest in world affairs, ability to engage in high-level conversations about international economic policy and the ability to be a good ambassador of the Hawaiian people, culture and language. They are a part of the approximately 100-115 student and educator delegates from the 21 APEC economies for the conference.
The week-long event will have delegates attending business meetings as well as engaging in various cultural learning opportunities and experiences that will help to see the local and global impacts of economic choices. The Kamehameha planning partners of the APEC Voices of the Future 2011 are seeking to create the opportunity for the students to expand their understanding of the indigenous host culture in Hawai'i in addition to their learning about APEC through attendance at CEO Summit meetings.
The Conference kicks off with the opening welcome ceremony on the Kamehameha-Kapālama campus on Tuesday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with speakers including, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Peter Carlisle, KS-Kapālama President and Headmaster, Dr. Michael Chun and keynote speaker and former KS Trustee, Nainoa Thompson.
Other events hosted by Kamehameha during the week include the screening of the movie "One Voice," an evening at Bishop Museum, a Papa He'e Nalu surf class, hosted by the Kamehameha Surf Team at Kaiser Bowls, and closes with a cultural night, hosted by Dr. Michael Chun on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Kamehameha Schools is a private, educational, charitable trust founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Kamehameha Schools operates a statewide educational system enrolling nearly 5,400 students of Hawaiian ancestry at K-12 campuses on O'ahu, Maui and Hawai'i and 1,500 keiki at 31 preschool sites statewide. Approximately 38,500 additional Hawaiian learners and caregivers are served each year through a range of other Kamehameha Schools' outreach programs, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawai'i and across the continental United States. For more information, visit www.ksbe.edu.
Media contacts: Pākalani Bello, (808) 534-8143; Elizabeth Ahana (808) 534-3872
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
