Join us at the next general meeting of the League of Women Voters of Hawai`i County on "Huli Aʻo: Rethinking Youth Civics." It will be held in person and via Zoom on Saturday, November 23, from 10:00 a.m. (arrive by 9:50), at Hawaiʻi Community College, in Room 1 of the Student Services Building 379 (map).

Trevor Atkins will share insights and future directions in youth civic engagement as advisor of ʻAha Ke Ea Hawaiʻi, an elected student council of Hawaiian charter schools. Ke Ea Hawaiʻi sets priorities and plans interscholastic events that strengthen independence. Last year, one priority was to increase collective knowledge of and engagement in governance.

A former state Senator and an educator with nearly two decades of experience, Laura Acasio will share her experiences teaching keiki the importance of engaging in our democratic system. She has taken student groups to the State Capitol to give testimony, worked on bills supporting civic education, and developed curriculum.

Their talk will be followed by Q&A with the audience. Attendees are invited to submit questions in advance via the registration form below.

SPEAKER BIOS

Trevor Atkins
Teacher, Kanu O Ka ʻĀina, & Advisor, ʻAha Ke Ea Hawaiʻi

Trevor Atkins is from ʻŌlaʻa, Puna, where his ʻohana runs a small native plant nursery. He is an educator who specializes in interdisciplinary, place-based, project-based, community-based, student-centered learning. For the last decade, he has focused on student activities, leadership development, cultural resurgence, and civic engagement for the alliance of Hawaiian charter schools through an elected student council named Ke Ea Hawaiʻi.

Laura Acasio
Former State Senator, Educator, & Organizer

Laura Acasio has served the people of Hawai‘i as a former state senator and public school teacher. She currently serves on the Hawaii County Environmental Management Commission and is a member of numerous nonprofit boards, including the governing board for Ka Umeke Kaʻeo Public Charter School and the Hui ʻOihana Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce. Many of the nonprofits she supports are grassroots organizations dedicated to making government more responsible and effective. The Acasio Ohana, which includes Laura’s husband Lynold and their two sons, is well known throughout Hawaii Island for the countless volunteer hours they devote to community service and advocacy. In her spare time, she assists families giving birth, spends time in the surf, and loves to roller skate.

MEETING DETAILS

The hybrid meeting will be held both in-person and via Zoom. Registration links below.

Those attending in person should plan to arrive by 9:50 a.m. at the site, Hawaiʻi Community College:

• Venue
  Room 1, Student Services Building 379 - campus map
  Hawaiʻi Community College, Manono Campus, 1175 Manono St.
  Hilo, HI 96720-5096 - Google Map

Light refreshments will be served.

The Zoom link and other details will be sent closer to the event date. Please be sure to log in by 9:50 a.m. to avoid technical delays.

ABOUT US

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Learn more about the League of Women Voters of Hawai'i County.