Maui Economic Opportunity Youth Services participants seeking to create new initiatives and strategies to prevent harmful behaviors in Maui County youth have organized and selected officers for their M.A.U.I. (Making An Unforgettable Impact) Kanaktion Teen Task Force.
The group of middle and high schoolers will be led by President Kamaile Figueroa, a junior at Maui High School. The other officers are: Vice President Kassen Yamashita, senior in Kaiapuni (Hawaiian language immersion) at King Kekaulike High School; Secretary Gianna Armbul Okuda, sophomore at Baldwin High School; and Treasurer Kahlen Boteilho-Dougherty, sophomore at Maui High.
The M.A.U.I. Kanaktion Teen Task Force (MKTF) engages in youth advocacy, peer-to-peer outreach and prevention campaigns. Collaborating partners include Tobacco-Free Hawaii Coalition, Children’s Justice Center, Prevent Suicide Maui County Task Force, the Maui Coalition for Drug-Free Youth, Hawaii Partnership to Prevent Underage Drinking and the Maui Police Department.
Members on the Teen Task Force also receive leadership and mentorship training.
The next MKTF meeting is set for 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 28 at MEO in Wailuku. Middle and high school youth interested in joining the Teen Task Force may call MEO Youth Services Director Dane Ka‘ae at (808) 243-4315.
Kamaile Figueroa_0459
KAMAILE FIGUEROA President, M.A.U.I. Kanaktion Teen Task Force
Kassen Yamashita_0462
KASSEN YAMASHITA Vice President
Gianna Armbul Okuda_0456
GIANNA ARMBUL KUDA Secretary
Kahlen Boteilho-Dougherty_0451
KAHLEN BOTEILHO-DOUGHERTY Treasurer
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MEO Youth Services members & M.A.U.I. Kanaktion Teen Task Force received fresh ingredients from the American Heart Association & Maui Health to make salsa at a healthy eating themed gathering Feb. 20, at MEO’s Wailuku office. Laakea Wells makes salsa as Youth Services Director Dane Ka‘ae looks on.
