Welcome to Oahu 4-H's online newsletter.

May 2008

Hey everyone!      

                                                                                               Luv Always ,
                                                                                               Renni Fay Iwasa

The Hawaii 4-H Alumni Association is offering the Ellison Onizuka Scholarship Ahaolelo Award of $240 each to up to four Hawaii 4-Hers (one per county: Kauai, Hawaii, Maui/Molokai/Lanai, and Oahu) who best meet the following requirements and criteria.

REQUIREMENTS & CRITERIA: To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the median income assistance guideline as set forth by HUD.
                       

1. Minimum age of 13 years during the year of application.
2. Completion and submission of record book(s) to the 4-H agent for the current 4-H year.
3. Ahaolelo participant for the first time.
4. Service activities in and outside of 4-H for the current 4-H year.
5. Leadership responsibilities for the current 4-H year.
6. Financial need to attend Ahaolelo.
7. Essay on “What I have accomplished during the current year and expectations for my first Ahaolelo” (two pages)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Complete the official application form (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/4h/affiliates.htm) and submit with essay to
                        Hawaii 4-H Alumni Association
                        P.O. Box 61565
                        Honolulu, HI  96839

Also submit a copy of the first page of family’s most current 1040 tax form for verification of annual income. Place in a sealed envelope with the application form and essay or mail directly to Hawaii 4-H Alumni Association at the above address.

DEADLINE:  Postmarked by May 3, 2008

Scholarships of up to $1,500 will be awarded to current 4-H members who have completed at least one year of 4-H work prior to April 1 of the year the application is received. The applicant will need to be enrolled in their freshman year at an accredited college, university, technical or trade school in the fall of the year the applications are due. The application must be postmarked by May 3, 2008. Late applications will not be accepted. Send to:

                        Hawaii 4-H Alumni Association
                        PO Box 61565
                        Honolulu, HI  96839
                       
A committee will review the applications submitted and determine the scholarship winner(s) on the basis of:

1. Financial information
2. Experiences in 4-H
3. 4-H citizenship/leadership experiences
4. Academic information

Scholarship awards will be paid to the institution that the applicant attends upon verification from the registrar that the applicant is a bona fide student.  Check http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/4h/affiliates.htm for additional information.

SET- Science, Engineering, Technology is needed for 4-H youth and their future needs.  4-H must reaffirm its legacy as a leader in non-formal science, engineering and technology.  SET is critical as the needs of our society and workforce has changed.  Call Maryknoll at 453-6053 or Rose at 622-4185.

All County Record books are due on June 2, 2008.  The County record books will be judged by former 4Hers and volunteer leaders.  These awards will be given out at the County 4-H Achievement Banquet.

The Valley Green Acres 4-H club from Washington is planning a fundraising luau and is asking Hawaii 4-H clubs to help by supplying fruit for their event.  The fruit (pineapple, coconuts, etc) is needed prior to the 14th of June.

If your club can assist, please contact Lola Lang,  (360) 661—0555.

Hi 4-Hers and 4-H leaders,
I would like to thank all of the participants of the 2008 Communications Fair held at University of Hawaii Agricultural Science Building on April 5th.  I would like to congratulate the top of show recipients Farin Fukunaga for the Junior Division and Ronnie Vazquez for the Senior Division.  I would also like to thank all of the committees that made this day possible.  Thank you again for displaying what happily ever after meant to you.

               Thanks,
               Hannah Wong

On Sunday, April 27th the Warriors 4-H Club celebrated Earth Day with the Voss Family. First, Michael taught us many ways to preserve our planet. One way is to plant a tree, but that was a bit impractical, so we planted wheat grass instead.

We were impressed by Aunty Liane’s bravery when she stuck her hand into the compost worm garbage pile to lift up all the muck to show us the red compose worms. As Lisa Lee, Sean and Joelle’s Mom puts it, “Wow, Aunty, you got guts!!!”
 
We all shared snacks made with local grown products. There was sweet li-hing pineapple, Kula strawberries, and assorted kamaboku. My favorite was the sweet potato pie that Julianne made. Buying local is important because it reduces the emissions from the planes and boats that would have been needed to ship everything over from the Mainland. 

Many of us were intrigued by the biodegradable forks and plates that we used to eat our snacks with. They were Earth friendly because they were made out of sugar cane fibers which meant they decompose a thousand fold faster than plastic.

Many thanks to the Voss family for hosting our Earth Day activities. Let’s all use our heads, hearts, hands, and health to save the Earth.

Submitted by Farin Fukunaga,
 Warriors 4-H Club

4-H members in one of Camp Zama’s ten school-age 4-H clubs report that they have been busy learning to sew.  Club members made a doll blanket, a small square pillow, a small star shape pillow, and doll skirts.  What a creative and talented bunch of 4-H’ers!

The teen 4-H clubs at the Camp Zama youth center have been working hard as well.  Members of the StRUT – Students Recycling Used Technology Club learn about one of today’s mostly used technology; the computer. Club members rip apart a computer, learn about the parts and their functions, and modify the computer with free software provided.  The computers are donated computers from the community the youth may work on. Experienced members are given the opportunity to volunteer their time to teach other youth about computers.

Claire Nakatsuka

Peace Corps Kids World is a new interactive, online tool for youth that exposes them to the world and experience of a Peace Corps volunteer.  The game is designed to educate kids on sustainability at the grassroots level.  Players enter a fictional world and must work with local villagers to solve the following issues: water contamination, sanitation and disease, microfinance, barren fields, malaria, soil erosion, education of girls, and agroforestry.  The Peace Corps hopes this engaging resource will spark young people’s interest in global action and volunteering. 

www.peacecorps.gov/kids/

The Family Home Foundation and the Children’s Way Foundation have collaborated to launch Woogi World, a program to harness the appeal of the Internet to teach kids K-6 how to BALANCE their lives through educational resources that will empower K-6 children to embrace the best of the Internet while avoiding the worst.  In addition, the program offers motivational adventures designed to strengthen the bonds between family, friends, and community; as well as meaningful leadership experience in real-life community service activities.

For additional information, visit www.woogiworld.com

This contest offered by The White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is designed to shed light on the countless caring Americans who offer help and hope to their neighbors in need.  Everyday in this country, passionate and empathetic citizens come together through volunteer organizations, local nonprofits, houses of worship and other civic groups to serve and lift up their communities. The Portraits of Compassion video contest is a chance to highlight and honor this critical work while inspiring others to volunteer and serve. Winning videos will premiere at the White House National Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives on June 26 and 27, 2008 and are to showcase nationally on the Conference website.  To learn more and to submit an application, go to:

http://www.hhs.gov/fbci/portraits/index.html.

4-H Clover Corner News
For additional articles on 4-H youth development nationwide, check out the National 4-H Clover Corner News at http://www.4hblogs.org/ccn/

We welcome your story ideas and 4-H job listings.
Please e-mail them to nakatsuk@hawaii.edu

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