By Kelikoaelakauaikekai Gongob

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The Secondary Student Conference occurred on Feb. 27 at the Hawaii State Capitol and was attended by student council members from schools across the state, including members that came from Maui and the Big Island. Focused on students, education and government relations, the event played on the theme of “Taking Action” and was hosted by the Hawaii State Student Council (HSSC) and coordinated by Assistant Student Activities Coordinator Danielle Castro.

“(I’ve) had the privilege of attending many conferences within the capitol before, and they say that the most important thing for them to be able to do is to listen with the intent to understand. Our leaders will listen and our leaders will understand if we just take the initiative,” said Sophomore Travis Afuso.

The guests that attended the event were from Hawaii State’s Legislative Branch, members from various boards, state and city officials, as well as Senate representatives. There, they discussed how their work within the government affects the public and how students can get involved and make a difference not only within their schools, but also within their communities.

Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Water and Land Committee and representing Mililani, Waipio Gentry and Waikele, was the first to speak. “Your voice matters,” he said. “No matter what your age might be, it doesn’t matter, you yourself can still change things for the better if you choose to fight for it.”

Rep. Lauren Matsumoto also attended and explained how to submit testimonies, which are used to support or oppose a bill. “All of the change can occur from just one voice,” Matsumoto explained. “The strongest testimonies come from the younger people like yourselves. In fact, the youngest person that I can remember testifying, was a four year-old about preschool.”

Yamane picked up on that, motivating the members of the Student Council to be the change they wanted to see in their communities. “One voice can make all the change, but with a collective voice, it won’t just be heard. It will resonate. I never thought I would be a government leader, but I got frustrated with my leaders, not caring about what we, the people, were passionate about. So I got involved myself,” Yamane said. 

Students took their words to heart and felt that they should share this with their classmates, “I think it’s important for not just us, but for every student in every school to be involved within the community,” said Afuso.

Fueling their need for change, the speeches by the representatives served to motivate students. “We, the youth, make a big difference, and even if we are young, we are the future movers and shakers of our communities,”   said Waipahu High School Senior Mc Erl Dave Andres, current chairperson for the HSSC. “I hope that they learned and realized that there are people that they can go to, to express what their concerns (are) and that action will be taken.”

Though the date is unannounced as of yet, HSSC will be hosting another event next year and hopes that more students will take action to make a positive difference.