Kaua‘i's Office of Economic Development (OED) has announced the launch of its 3rd Annual Youth Climate Class, which is slated to begin in January 2025. Aimed at high school students across the island, the program will cover a range of topics addressing sustainability, including clean energy, management of natural resources, waste reduction, local food production, development of smart sustainable communities, and green workforce and education initiatives. The initiative is designed to connect young minds with local environmental leaders, combining field trips with practical learning experiences.
This innovative program is part of a broader effort to cultivate a local Green Workforce & Education to support sustainability on the island. One of the unique features of this class is the opportunity for students to collaborate with local businesses. Participants will help implement 10 basic green actions, required for the business to receive a Hawai‘i Green Business Program certificate of recognition. The OED underscores that the class is free and encourages all interested high school students in Kaua‘i to apply, noting, however, the class size is limited to 15 students, and spots tend to fill up quickly.
In a statement obtained by Kauai.gov, Nalani Brun, the director of the Office of Economic Development, described the program as "a transformative journey for high school students to explore their role as change-makers in the fight against climate change." She expressed hope that the program will inspire students and provide them with insights on how to enhance the island's resiliency as future caretakers of the land.
The course, requiring a once-a-week commitment, gives students a tangible sense of the connections between their local environment and broader sustainability efforts. "We hope students will walk away inspired by all the great work being done on island and equip them with fresh ideas on how to foster island resiliency as the next generation of ʻāina stewards," Brun added on the County of Kauai during an OED announcement. Interested participants can apply online by January 10, 2025. For additional details on the class structure and application process, prospective students can navigate to the provided youth climate class information page or reach out directly via email or phone to Ana Española.
Additional information on the Hawai‘i Green Business Program can be accessed through their official website. If individuals require accommodations due to a disability, OED's contact, Ana Española, has invited early requests to ensure adequate preparation time, underscoring OED’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all applicants.
