When it comes to Hawai‘i’s next generation of leaders, talented young people are emerging throughout the state. On Maui, two special programs are giving Valley Isle youth opportunities to develop their leadership skills, explore career pathways, and empower them to make a difference in Hawai‘i’s future.
“Hawai‘i’s youth need opportunities to develop leadership and critical thinking skills to succeed in college, career, and civic life,” says Katie Chang, the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders (CTL) executive director. CTL is nurturing young Maui leaders by embedding leadership development programs within the school day at Maui County public high schools, like Maui High School. A diverse group of students learn the essentials of leadership, then design and implement projects that will make a difference in their school. After this year, CTL will continue to provide opportunities for multi-year leadership growth, even post-high school. “The time is now to make long-term investments in Hawai‘i’s future leaders,” says Chang.
Many high school seniors come out of school unsure of what they want to do for a career. The Next Steps to Your Future 2021 Grant from the University of Hawai‘i Foundation is helping to make that pathway clearer. The grant served more than 1,000 graduating Hawai‘i public high school seniors statewide this past summer, targeting those who were undecided about their post-high school plans.
The initiative introduced Maui students to postsecondary education, training, and employment programs like the Hawai‘i P-20 Summer Advising Initiative. This program connected graduating seniors with Next Steps Advisors, who helped them take actionable steps towards their post-high school plans. UHCC Summer Career Exploration classes also helped Maui students explore career and education options to clarify their future goals.
“Hawaiʻi needs all of our high school graduates to understand that continuing their education is not only possible but is the best way they can achieve their potential, especially as we recover from this devastating pandemic,” says University of Hawaii President David Lassner.
Central Pacific Bank Foundation has contributed $100,000 towards these educational programs in Maui County, including a $50,000 grant for the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders and a $50,000 grant for the University of Hawai‘i Foundation. Both grants will be used exclusively to support Maui County high school and college students. CPB’s Maui employees will serve as program mentors, many of whom are already involved with Maui high school clubs.
“We are pleased to support these two organizations with the common goal of developing our future young leaders on Maui,” said Catherine Shimizu, assistant vice president of CPB’s Maui Commercial Banking Center. “We are hoping that coordination between CTL and UH will foster even stronger results for Maui’s high school students.”
“This generous grant from the CPB Foundation has helped us offer every graduating Maui County public high school senior with the impetus and support they need, including $500 scholarships for each participating student, to set each of them on a path to a more positive future for themselves, their families, and their communities through higher education,” said Lassner.
As the sun rises on a new day on the Valley Isle, the future of Maui’s leadership is looking even brighter.
Visit www.ctlhawaii.org to learn more.
Since 1954, Central Pacific Bank’s mission has been to bring the aloha spirit to banking. CPB stands for inclusivity, opportunity, and doing the right thing for their customers so that, together, they can build a stronger Hawaii.