Building Youth Leadership Through Resilience Academies

Across the summer, Vibrant Hawaiʻi’s Youth Resilience Academies created meaningful opportunities for young people to build practical skills, deepen their connection to place, and strengthen their ability to respond during times of disruption. Hosted at sites across Hawaiʻi Island and led by Vibrant Hawaiʻi Ambassadors, these multi-day learning experiences engaged more than 60 youth ages 12–18, offering hands-on training rooted in real-world needs and community realities.

The Academies reflected the diversity and future orientation of Hawaiʻi Island’s youth. Sixty-four percent of participants identified as Native Hawaiian, and 64% shared that they see themselves living in Hawaiʻi 20 years from now—underscoring the importance of investing in young people who are deeply connected to this place and committed to its future.

Programming focused on resilience at multiple levels—from personal preparedness to ʻohana planning to neighborhood awareness. Youth assembled emergency go-bags, created family preparedness plans, and participated in 3D Mapping, a hands-on systems-thinking tool developed by the Presencing Institute. Using simple materials, participants built sculptures representing their community’s current reality, intentionally placing themselves within the system. Through guided reflection from multiple perspectives, youth surfaced strengths, tensions, and what may be ready to change—strengthening makawalu (360-degree seeing) and helping them imagine clearer pathways forward.

Participants also built essential safety and response skills, including Hands-Only CPR, basic first aid, situational awareness, and effective communication with first responders. These sessions were led by professionals from local agencies, giving youth direct exposure to experienced responders and reinforcing readiness as both a skill set and a shared responsibility. In post-workshop feedback, youth most frequently named gains in life-saving skills, teamwork and collaboration, communication, and increasing confidence as valued outcomes.

Alongside technical skills, youth reflected on personal growth and belonging. Eighty-seven percent reported that they “learned something new,” while 69% reported a stronger “sense of belonging.” One participant shared that the Academy helped them feel more able to “make my community a better place.” Another reflected on increased awareness of how youth can get involved in ʻOAKA, with 67% reporting greater understanding of youth leadership pathways.

Each Academy concluded with team-based challenges—such as canned-food cook-offs, resilience-themed relays, and scenario-based exercises—that encouraged collaboration, quick decision-making, and calm communication under pressure. These activities gave youth the opportunity to apply what they learned in supportive, fast-paced environments and reflect together through facilitated debriefs and After Action Reviews.

Across well-being and community indicators, participants rated their experiences highly, with “Good” or “Vibrant” ratings for Living Aloha (100%), Belonging (96%), Resilience (98%), Strong ʻOhana (92%), and Thriving (89%). These responses reinforce the Academies’ role not only in preparedness, but in supporting youth connection, confidence, and hope for the future.

Mahalo to the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency, Hawaiʻi County Police Department, Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, and the many guest presenters who contributed their time and expertise. Their involvement broadened participants’ understanding of readiness as a collective effort rooted in relationships and trust.

As Vibrant Hawaiʻi looks ahead, the Youth Resilience Academies remain a meaningful investment in the next generation. By equipping young people with practical tools, culturally grounded learning, and strong peer connections, Hawaiʻi Island continues to grow youth who are prepared to navigate uncertainty—and who see themselves as part of the future of the places they call home.