Young leaders study storytelling, natural resources in Honolulu
There’s nothing like 25 young people to stir things up. I mean that in a positive way, of course.

The young leaders from across Southeast Asia, aged 18-25, are here in Honolulu for a project concentrating on protecting natural resources. They’ll spend 25 days in Honolulu. Then, they’ll travel to Santa Fe, NM for five days, and finally on to Washington, DC for another four days. During this program, they're learning about natural resources and their management while they develop community projects to enhance natural resource protection in their home countries.

I’m meeting with them six times during their stay here, then accompanying them to Santa Fe and DC. Our discussions are geared towards helping them develop successful communications campaigns to promote and enhance their community resource sustainability projects. So far, we’ve talked about storytelling techniques, mis and disinformation, and media literacy. One theme I keep hitting is the importance of humanizing their online storytelling for maximum impact. The young leaders have been active, inquisitive, and engaged—the perfect students.

Their first full week in Honolulu also included a wonderful cruise on a traditional native Hawaiian vessel, a theatrical performance featuring vignettes from actresses portraying female Hawaiian historical figures, and a visit with a giant inflatable whale on Earth Day.

I look forward to being continually stirred during the next month!