U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele addresses the Island School staff and high school population in the school’s Wilcox Gymnasium Wednesday morning in Puhi, the first stop of his Kaua‘i tour.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, center with lei, and the civics class led by Luke Evslin, right, beam following the class’s comprehensive discussion on the U.S. Constitution Wednesday at Island School in Puhi.
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Dennis Fujimoto / The Garden Island
U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele is welcomed by middle and high school students and adult leaders at the Youth Talk Story Forum coordinated by the Keiki to Career program of the Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance, at the Kamehameha Schools Lihu‘e pffice Wednesday.
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Alice Luck of Kaua‘i Planning & Action Alliance, standing center, moderates as U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele faces 15 students at the Youth Talk Story Forum Wednesday at the Kamehameha Schools Lihu‘e office.
Dennis Fujimoto The Garden Island
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PUHI — For U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, Wednesday was his turn to take on the role of teacher as he addressed the Island School staff and the school’s high school population at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the school’s Puhi campus.
PUHI — For U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, Wednesday was his turn to take on the role of teacher as he addressed the Island School staff and the school’s high school population at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the school’s Puhi campus.
‘This started out as a Zoom meeting,” said Island School civics instructor Luke Evslin. “I asked if he could help with the 10th grade social studies class through Zoom. He answered, ‘Why Zoom? I’ll do it in person.’”
That led to the school arranging to have Kahele speak at an assembly of all the high school students.
“We want to know what you (young people) think?” Kahele said. “What are your feelings on government? The war in Ukraine? Anything.”
And the students responded with questions, ranging from post high school plans to what he does as an airline pilot.
The meeting with Evslin’s class was more detailed, with discussions on Congress, the U.S. Constitution and more within the group of about 16 students.
Mike Contrades, Kahele’s Kaua‘i field representative, said Kahele was on-island for events that included visiting youth like the Island School high school students, a stop at a youth leadership conference, and a Youth Talk Story Forum coordinated by Keiki to Career.
He also planned on visiting some of the natural science sites on the island, including the Limahuli Gardens and Alakoko Fishpond, an invitation extended by Kaua‘i County Councilmember Mason Chock.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
