HUNDREDS ATTEND MAYOR’S “SMART” YOUTH SUMMIT 2010

Rail transit and improving Oahu was the topic of the day at the Leeward Community College auditorium.  Nearly 300 students  from 30 elementary schools, high schools and colleges gathered to learn about the Honolulu Rail Transit Project at the Mayor’s SMART Youth Summit. SMART stands for “Save Money And Ride Transit.” 

Watch the virtual studio highlight video from the Youth Summit by clicking here.
View photos of Youth Summit student participants by clicking here.

The free summit brought together students on a Furlough Friday. The day’s educational activities featured speakers on environment and energy, the Honowai Elementary robotics team, displays from the rail youth poster contest, a “Transit 101” video, videos produced by the Waianae Seariders student video team, a virtual train ride, breakout groups and moderated discussions.

Local entertainer Augie T emceed the event and Mayor Mufi Hannemann delivered the keynote address.

“I heard loud and clear that young people are fired up about rail and want it to happen,” said Hannemann. “They are as tired of traffic congestion as adults are and they recognize rail will help ease rush hour traffic in the future. I also saw a strong sense of ownership about rail and creating a more sustainable Oahu. Young people want green, energy-efficient transportation options like rail for their future.”

Hannemann remarked he is committed to creating a new curriculum with the UH Community Colleges to train local residents for jobs operating and maintaining the elevated rail line and train fleet.

RADIO SPOTS

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Youth for Rail Advertisement 2009

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Mayor Mufi Hannemann delivered a “State of the Rail” speech, where he praised the collaborative work of city, state and federal officials.  Before a live audience that included members of the Hawaii State Legislature and Honolulu City Council; past and present transportation officials; community, business and labor leaders; and teachers and students, Mayor Hannemann discussed the milestones that the Honolulu rail transit project has achieved over the past four years and the remaining steps before groundbreaking can take place.

Mayor Hannemann reminded us of the benefits of rail transit:  improving the quality of life for Honolulu residents, creating thousands of jobs, reducing our energy consumption, protecting the environment, and providing a safe and reliable transportation system that will benefit all of us as well as future generations.

The speech took place at the historic Mission Memorial Auditorium, and was originally televised on KGMB and KHNL on October 29, 2009, and KFVE the following evening.  It will be re-aired on Olelo Channel 54, at 6:30 pm every Monday in November.

You can watch a web video of the speech now or read the transcript.

Thank you for participating in the Youth for Rail Student Contests.  The winners were announced on the KHON2 morning show on Friday, December 4. 

Congratulations to Edward Birtodaso of Mililani HS (1st place, Art contest); Kathryn Pagaragan of Farrington HS (2nd place, Art contest); and Mililani HS seniors Chelsie Mangca-Valdez and Brennan Mata (1st place team, Ad contest). 

Several of our top place finishers will have their ads and artwork posted, published and displayed in various venues and locations throughout Hawaii, and on the Internet.

Express yourself.  Enter the Youth For Rail Art Contest.

Form your own ad agency.  Team up with other classmates & enter the Youth For Rail Ad Contest.

Produce your own film.  Team up with other classmates & enter the Youth For Rail Video Contest.

Voice your opinion.  Enter the Youth For Rail Essay Contest.

OVERALL SCHOOL COMPETITION

In addition to the individual and team contests, there will be an overall school competition, based on quality and quantity of submissions.  For each of the categories below, we will award:  10 points for 1st place; 7 points for 2nd place; 5 points for 3rd place; 3 points for 4th place; and 1 point for 5th place.

• 33%:  Art Contest  (open to individuals)
• 33%:  Ad Contest  (open to teams of up to 4 students)
• 33%:  Quantity of submissions  (each submission must be legitimate to earn credit)

EXAMPLE: Your high school has a student who places 1st in the art contest (10 points), and another student who places 3rd in the ad contest (5 points).  Additionally, your school had the most contest submissions in Hawaii (10 points).  Together, that gives your school a total of 25 points.

The high school that accumulates the most points will be deemed the overall winner, and will earn a personal visit from Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who will deliver the championship plaque and a proclamation from the city.

Good luck to everyone!

Visit the 2009 Student Art Gallery by clicking below.  The artistic interpretations by students in the “Youth for Rail” art contest do not necessarily depict the technology planned for the city’s rail transit project.  The art contest was open to all high schools students throughout Hawaii, and students were provided creative freedom in expressing their vision of a future rail transit system for Honolulu.

→ Visit the 2009 Student Gallery

→ KHON2 announces our Student Winners

Congratulations to Edward Birtodaso of Mililani High School for winning 1st Place and to Kathryn Pagaragan Farrington High School for placing 2nd.

Edward Birtodaso (Mililani HS)Kathryn Pagaragan (Farrington HS)

Kathryn Pagaragan (Farrington HS)

To watch more videos, please visit our channel on YouTube.

Highlights

Transit 101

Youth For Rail

State of the Rail

State of the Rail

The Rail: Making Public Transportation Better than Ever

Honolulu Rail Transit Project Fly Thru

Honolulu on the Move

Draft Environmental Impact Statement Video Guide

Visit the 2009 Student Ad Gallery by clicking below.  The artistic interpretations by students in the “Youth for Rail” ad contest do not necessarily depict the technology planned for the city’s rail transit project.  The ad contest was open to all high schools students throughout Hawaii, and students were provided creative freedom in expressing their vision of a future rail transit system for Honolulu.

→ Visit the 2009 Student Gallery

→ KHON2 announces our Student Winners

 Congratulations to Mililani High School seniors Chelsie Mangca-Valdez and Brennan Mata for winning 1st Place.

Brennan Mata and Chelsie Mangca-Valdez (Mililani HS)