City Council Announces New Honolulu Youth Commission Appointees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2023
HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI - The Honolulu City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to the Honolulu Youth Commission. The new appointees represent Districts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and are as follows:
Diego Carranza, Leilehua High School, District 2 (Councilmember Matt Weyer)
Puali’i Ann Zidek, Kamehameha Schools graduate, attending Stanford University, District 3 (Council Vice Chair Esther Kia`āina)
Asa Shimizu, Punahou School, District 4 (Council Chair Tommy Waters)
Kalena Shea, 'Iolani School, District 5 (Councilmember Calvin Say)
Kolten Soon, Mid-Pacific Institute graduate, attending UCLA, District 6 (Councilmember Tyler Dos Santos-Tam)
Riley Mishina, Punahou School, District 8 (Councilmember Val Aquino Okimoto)
Council Chair Waters expressed his enthusiasm about the new appointees, stating, “These brilliant young leaders represent the future of our city. Their diverse perspectives and commitment to service will undoubtedly contribute to the positive impact of the Honolulu Youth Commission. We look forward to their active engagement in the decision-making processes within our local government.”
In 2019, Council Chair Waters introduced Resolution 19-329, which aimed to amend the revised charter of the City and County of Honolulu, as amended, to establish a youth commission. Following the Charter Amerndment’s approval by the voters in 2020, the Honolulu Youth Commission now stands as a platform dedicated to giving young individuals aged 14 to 24 on Oʻahu a voice and representation within the local government. Their dedication and service since 2021 have been instrumental in fostering youth voices and discussing key topics such as environmental preservation and promoting equity. The commission consists of fifteen commissioners, with six appointed by Mayor Blangiardi and nine by the City Council, one from each Council District.
The swearing-in ceremony of the new commissioners is tentatively scheduled for August 15, 2023. The service term spans two years and commissioners are expected to attend at least one commission meeting per month. Additionally, individuals who will turn 18 by July 1, 2023, must be registered to vote. Councilmember Say's and Kia`āina’s appointee will serve for the remainder of the current term, which concludes after one year. Furthermore, Councilmembers representing Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 will have the opportunity to appoint new commissioners in July 2024.
For more information about the Honolulu Youth Commission, please visit www.honolulu.gov/yc.html.
Waters represents City Council District 4, which includes Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu Valley, ‘Āina Haina, Wailupe, Wai‘alae Iki, Kalani Valley, Kāhala, Wilhelmina Rise, Kaimukī, Kapahulu, Diamond Head, and Waikīkī.
###
