SHYLI's Design Sustainable Hawaii Forum
Windward Community College, Oahu * April 4, 2014

Leaders from business, government, education and civic groups joined together with talented Hawaii youth from Hawaii, Lanai, and Oahu to see how we might design a sustainable future for Hawaii. The Design Sustainable Hawaii Forum built bridges between decision makers, and action-oriented youth and used the resources to harness the power of youth, capture their imagination, and fast track innovative sustainability projects.Hakipu'u Learning Center students chanted an oli to honor Hawaiian culture, 'aina and kuleana. Educator Calvin Hoe used Mau Piailug's designfor the traditional leis, in honor of the Hokule'a imminent departure on its worldwide voyage and goal of building the next generation of voyagers.

 

"We need you to tell us what is relevant and real because the future is about you,"Senator Jill Tokuda said opening the daylong Forum. "We need to redo our policies to reflect what we think is important and that is sustainability. It is for our future."

 

As Chairman of Hawaii's Education Committee, Senator Tokuda was a strategic ally for SHYLI youth Trevor Tanaka who worked with Representative Denny Coffman to get the Resolution passed in the House and Senate. SHYLI's 2nd Annual Forum was dedicated to designing an effective implementation strategy for Sustainability Resolution #178.

 

Ian Kitajima welcomed everyone with a reminder of the Hawaii 2050 Forum where a panel of Hawaii's high school students was asked about their future- and if they saw themselves living in Hawaii. "When no one raised their hands, the students were surprised. The adults were even more surprised," said Ian. "If we want a sustainable Hawaii, we need to invest in our young people, their future and ours."

 

  










This year SHYLI youth inspired young and older alike with their Sustainability-In-Actions Projects:
 
 * Agriculture/Composting: Green is the New Black: Lucy Gaceta, UHMC Lanai
 * Aquaponics: Where Does Your Food Come From? Daniel Forsythe, UHMC Lanai
 * Education: Empowering Hawaii's Youth: Alex Siordia, Hawaii Preparatory Academy

 Sustainable EnergiesSlaying the Vampire of Energy: Mickie Hirata, Hawaii Preparatory Academy

 * Hydroponics/Farming of the FutureKaMele Sanchez & Sherry Anne Pancho, Honoka'a High School

 

 

Passing the Torch

 

Hawaiian Tourism Authority President and CEO Mike McCartney spoke of how leaders must make tough choices.

"This generation is living in a dynamic global island... Planet Earth. You are the ones to find the path to balance the use of your time and energy wisely; to create a strong collective ambition for peace in the world," he said adding. "It starts with peace from within one's self and then throughout the world by "living aloha.

 

The Design Sustainable Hawaii Forum was organized by the Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative. SHYLI's mission is to train young people from Hawaii to envision their dreams for their lives, and build a more sustainable island and world. SHYLI began on the Island of Hawaii in 2010. It is a project of the Stone Soup Leadership Institute, a non-profit organization founded in 1997. Last year's SHYLI Forum was held on the Big Island, coinciding with the Hawaii Island Economic Summit 2012. 

 

At the 2013 SHYLI Forum Oceanit's Vice President Ian Kitajima presented the first Guy Toyama Scholarship. Ian invited SHYLI to Oahu, first hosting the SHYLI Job Shadow Day, then partnering on the SHYLI Forum. "There is a natural synergy between Design Thinking Hawaii and Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative," says Ian. "SHYLI embodies the principles of Design Thinking. SHYLI youth possess the 'beginner's mind' and 'out-of-the-box' thinking that Design Thinking teaches adults. They exude the empathy and most importantly, they are taking the initiative to envision projects and engage people. The SHYLI Forum is a differentiator and catalyst."


Recommendations for Hawai'i's Governor and Hawaii's Leaders  
in Business, Government & Education

Moving the Sustainability Education Resolution Forward

 

Justin Brown and Amanda Nelson led Design Thinking exercises and games to help teams of youth and adults envision and solve a real-world problem, a sustainable Hawaii. Waipahu High School's Design Thinking Club facilitated collaborative work groups to explore how might we engage Hawaii's youth in sustainability practices and learning? Working together to answer the questions, the groups produced design prototypes for the sustainability education resolution and a vision for sustainable education.  

  

"I was thoroughly impressed with SHYLI's Design Sustainable Hawaii Forum," Ray L'Heureux, Hawaii Department of Education's Assistant Superintendent for Schools and Facilities and Support Services. "It gladdened my heart to see the devotion and conviction SHYLI's youth displayed in their belief that Hawaii can matriculate into a national leader for sustainable programs. As the DOE embarks on its own sustainability plan, Ka Hei, we look forward to working with all the members of SHYLI, as pioneers in Hawaii sustainability."

The next steps for the State of Hawaii are to strongly encourage the Department of Education to acknowledge and implement the requests of the Resolution to embed sustainability education into Hawaii public education.

  • Design and renovate school buildings to integrate sustainable building solutions that can be utilized for educational learning laboratories and real-world solutions.  
  • Build schools that rely on locally sourced resources; use alternative energy systems (solar panels & wind turbines), and utilize hydroponics and school farms to feed students at the school.  
  • Educate students to utilize renewable and sustainable resources to help the Hawaii's economy and reduce reliance on outside resources.  
  • Integrate sustainable practices using the school's system as a teaching tool: fish ponds, grey water utilization, school gardens, alternative energy at school facilities to apply knowledge and creative problem solving.  
  • Utilize immersive environmental experiences such as a Sustainability Camp to teach students about sustainable practices and provide opportunities for experimentation with new techniques and technology.  
  •  Use digital and gaming technologies to engage students in creating virtual worlds where they learn how to be "sustainable" and consider the need for thriving communities, healthy ecosystems and strong businesses.  
  • Integrate outdoor education and hiking by taking students on field trips to expose them to the beauty of their islands; educate them about native plants and animal species, and engage them in planting, restoration, fishing, and water testing: to foster an aspiration to stay in Hawaii and preserve it.  
  • Emphasize sustainable economic practices including: promoting entrepreneurship, preparing for green jobs and creating an agriculture workforce for food security and self-sufficiency; creating links between STEM and sustainability education; developing a sustainable economy; and supporting "green business."

 

What People Are Saying About the Design Sustainable Hawaii Forum

These young people are a delight, inspiration, and a joy to be around. They are so positively purposeful and caring of others. 

Dennis Hokama, Pulama Lanai LLC 

 

SHYLI shows youth how to build a better future. It is the young people who are changing the world. It is in the young people's hands. We have to bring youth together and create the world we want to live in. 

Nane Alejandrez, founding director  
Barrios Unidos

 

HCRA was able to connect with youth, learn and provide valuable support for their innovative ideas -- as well as provide insights to organic and sustainable farming and product development using Hawaii's own natural resources. This Forum will help to create an ecosystem of innovative entrepreneurial businesses that benefits the entire business community. We look forward to a continued working relationship. 
Terri Funakoshi,  
Hawaii Culture and Retail Association
 

Empowering our Hawaii youth is always important for Hawaii businesses. When youth are exposed to leadership programs like SHYLI, these students are elevated to another level of learning, drive, thinking, and leadership. Creating leaders is an important and vital thing for Hawaii's businesses.

Aaron Kagawa, Live Action 

 

I really want to help Hawaii, such as with the environmental, infrastructure, and sustainability problems. Hawaii's a good place for everyone, and should be good for the next generations to come. 
Juanito Jr. Moises, Waipahu High School 

 

The SHYLI projects taught me a lot about sustainability and the significance it has on our environment. This gave me a new perspective to protect the 'aina and contribute to being more green. 
Excellsis Dela Cruz, Waipahu High School

 

 

 

 

The Forum brought together a diverse range of experts, change agents, and students to develop ideas on how to shift the needle around sustainability education. It bridged generations and encouraged collaboration among users of the solutions we are trying to develop and those currently in the position to begin the process of moving in that direction. Using Design Thinking as a means to develop sustainability solutions is very effective
Kainoa Casco, SustyPacific 
 
Its great to see Hawaiiʻs youth thinking about the future of our islands and how we absolutely must do more for ourselves in terms of food, energy, other resources, and wastes. Please let me know if there is anyway I can help out in the future. 
Dave Krupp,
Windward Community College
 
Being introduced to the Design Thinking Model opened my eyes, by teaching me that instead of finding a solution for everything right away, I need to start by asking the right questions.
Kama Pule, Kamaile Academy
 
The prototype project was not only fun, but it also helped me in transitioning my ideas into real life. 
Rexel Boter, Kamaile Academy 
 
I made connections with people who had the same goal as me-to live a sustainable life not only for me, but for the generations to come.
Shania Aki, Kamaile Academy 
 
Congratulations to SHYLI on this successful Summit and your inspiring work with young leaders around the state to advance sustainability. They are our future
Audrey Newman, Hawai`i Green Growth
 
Thanks for allowing us to participate in the Forum. We gained a lot from the experience and enthusiasm the youth leaders have for SHYLI's program. Lucy is a star and is building upon her passion at such a young age. 
Jeannine Souki, Pulama Lanai LLC
 
Like many other students, I have ambitions of going to the mainland to college, maybe even staying there. However this Forum made me think twice. It made me think about just how much I love this place and how this is home. The Forum helped me think about being a part of the movement to sustain Hawai`i. Sustainability is one of the most important gifts we can give to Hawai`i. 
"Ina Beatrice Deloso, Waipahu High School's Design Thinking Club

 



The Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative prepares young people to envision, plan and create their future. SHYLI's year-round program trains them youth to develop action plans; troubleshoot challenges, invite their friends and business, community and government leaders to join. At the Institute's Annual Youth Leadership Summit, each youth envision projects that match their dreams for their lives and their island. The Institute's multifaceted educational curriculum Stone Soup for the World: Life-Changing Stories of Everyday Heroes spotlights 100 heroes who changed their lives by helping their communities. The Institute's programs foster service learning, entrepreneurship, STEM-thinking, eco-tourism, workforce development, community engagement, global exchanges for best practices of island sustainability. For the last decade the Institute has empowered island youth and supported the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2015). 

 

"SHYLI youth recognize the urgency of sustainability, so we are preparing them as leaders to reach out to business leaders, students and educators to inspire the change we need," said SHYLI's Executive Director Marianne Larned. "The Institute's mission is to build bridges with youth, public and private businesses and create a critical mass of people working together to create a sustainable and resilient world."


Mahalo to Our Sponsors 
Bank of Hawaii Foundation 
Design Thinking Hawaii 
Keiko Imamura Glenn Scholarship
Pulama Lana'i LLC
The Hapa Fund 

Ian & Lianne Kitajima * Betsy Cole * Jason Ito  

 

In-Kind Sponsors

 

* Windward Community College

* Hawaii Culture And Retail Association
* Starbucks Kaneohe Bay * Food-Centric, EAT Honolulu
* Whole Foods Market Kahala
* Bubbles Homemade Ice Cream 

* Da Spot Health Foods & Juices
* Budget Car Rental/Honolulu
* Four Seasons Koele
* Hotel Lanai 

 

 

 

 

Soup 4 the World

 

Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative * www.shyli.org

The Stone Soup Leadership Institute * www.soup4worldinstitute.com