Raise Your Hand

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“Raise Your Hand” is a monthly editorial column written by high school students and their peers in collaboration with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Its purpose is to provide a platform for youth voice, particularly DOE students. Since its start in March 2016, over 50 articles have been published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

We fervently believe that when youth are allowed to voice their opinions, amazing feats are accomplished. A young adult’s concerns are not only about school lunches, bullies, or the dress code. The younger generation is just as passionate and invested as their adult counterparts in issues facing our world. After all, they are our future leaders.

Blog Posts

Help Defend Democracy in Ukraine

Help Defend Democracy in Ukraine

Many Americans may think the war in Ukraine does not involve them. However, this way of thinking is very flawed. Although the conflict may seem far away, it's still directly and personally affecting Americans – one of them being my dad.

Facing Food Insecurity Among Keiki

Facing Food Insecurity Among Keiki

Food insecurity isn't a thing of the past or an issue localized in developing nations; it's a rampant problem in the United States currently plaguing millions of children like Chloe.

Military Must Remediate or Relocate

Military Must Remediate or Relocate

As I rang up the next customer at Bath and Body Works, I asked how her day was going. She replied, “Hard and exhausting.” Concerned, I discovered her family, like so many others, was forced to temporarily relocate due to the Red Hill disaster.

Tell a Local Lawmaker

Tell a Local Lawmaker

It’s safe to say that many in Hawai’i are concerned about the future of our islands. Over 350 CTL high school students from across the state wrote a response to the prompt, “Tell a local lawmaker: What is the one thing that must change in order for you to picture yourself having a good future in Hawai’i?”Here’s some excerpts of what the next generation wants legislators to take action on now.

"Who Had Better Immigration Policy, Biden or Trump?" Two Students Weigh In

"Who Had Better Immigration Policy, Biden or Trump?" Two Students Weigh In

Imagine growing up in a corrupt country, facing assault without justice, being separated from your family with no hope of reunification, living in abject poverty, fearing for your life daily. This is the reality for many outside America’s borders, and just some of the reasons why they so desperately attempt to cross over into a new life.

HTA's Tourism Mitigation Plan: Two Students' Perspectives

HTA's Tourism Mitigation Plan: Two Students' Perspectives

PRO: A PRACTICAL CHANGE TO HAWAII TOURISM“Not only are hotels understaffed, but Hawai’i is at full visitor occupancy while there is a severe shortage of other resources elsewhere in the islands…This prioritization of tourists’ wants over local residents’ needs caused an uproar within Hawai’i’s commu.

All Of Us Have Role In Caring For Oceans

All Of Us Have Role In Caring For Oceans

“Life below water.” People may see this phrase and think of UN SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 14: to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.

Pursue Many Benefits of Distance Learning

Pursue Many Benefits of Distance Learning

Distance learning was one of the greatest struggles of the pandemic. In this new mode of virtual, synchronous learning, many students struggled to adapt and teachers pushed to return to in-person instruction, which will now resume in fall.

Making Kaua'i Self-Sustaining in Food

Making Kaua'i Self-Sustaining in Food

Kahealani Numazawa-PacanasMar Heinrich Ruiz Can Kaua’i be food self-sustaining? This question has recently become popular in the public arena, and as residents of the island, we fully support it.

Crucial Conversations to Build A Prosperous Economy

Crucial Conversations to Build A Prosperous Economy

Struggle to survive in the beautiful paradise you grew up in, or move away for more affordable housing and a better paying job? Which would you choose? Many local people actively weigh these exact tradeoffs of living in Hawaii, and many choose to do what they think best for themselves and their fami.

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