Valerie Saiki, who at 23 could easily pass for a student at Kapa’a High School, is the latest, Kaua’i-based, anti-tobacco crusader, wearing hats as both a tobacco-control specialist and as new island coordinator for the REAL youth anti-smoking group. Saiki,
Valerie Saiki, who at 23 could easily pass for a student at Kapa’a High School, is the latest, Kaua’i-based, anti-tobacco crusader, wearing hats as both a tobacco-control specialist and as new island coordinator for the REAL youth anti-smoking group.
Saiki, who is a Kapa’a High School graduate (Class of 1999), as tobacco-control specialist for Eastside public schools (Kapa’a to Hanalei) has an office at Kapa’a High School.
Since accepting the position as REAL youth anti-smoking program coordinator, she has been busy, trying to recruit more young people into the crusade.
One of the projects she spearheaded was a connect-the-dots event at the Kaua’i County Farm Bureau Fair, sponsored by leaders of Tobacco Free Kauai.
Individuals were asked if they know someone who is affected by tobacco. If so, they were given colored dots, and had their pictures taken.
The end result will be a banner of photos of Kaua’i people who know people affected by tobacco, she explained. The banner will be used at health fairs, and the upcoming annual, Great American Smoke Out (GASO), set for Thursday, Nov. 17.
Students interested in signing up for REAL may call her at work, 821-4401, ext. 140, or e-mail her at valerie_saiki@notes.k12.hi.us.
“REAL” doesn’t stand for anything, but is something like encouraging each young person to “be real to yourself,” she said.
Her job is to raise awareness among teens that tobacco is dangerous and harmful, and to teach the youngsters to avoid peer pressure to start or continue smoking.
She and other young adults are taking a proactive stance as Teens Kicking Big Tobacco’s Ash.
“In the few weeks that I have been (REAL) island coordinator, I used my time to gather additional members through community events such as the Kaua’i (County) Farm Bureau Fair and Kapa’a High School PTSA’s welcome back barbecue,” she said.
“My full time job is as the tobacco-control specialist for the Eastside complex of Kaua’i (Hanalei to Kapa’a), (a position funded) through tobacco-settlement funds,” Saiki said.
While her office is at Kapa’a High School, her work takes her to all the schools in the state Department of Education Eastside complex (Kapa’a High, Middle and Elementary, Kilauea and Hanalei).
At Kapa’a High School, she provides education and cessation services to students there.
“I also provide education and cessation services to other Eastside schools, Boys & Girls Club and individual students by appointment any time during the school day,” she said.
Rebecca Smith is the Westside tobacco-education specialist.
