The 22nd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) was held in Fukuoka, Japan from July 16- 27, 2010. The application for the 23rd APCC will be available online in late November to early December 2010.

This year, JASH will select six 11-year old students (three boys and three girls) from across the state to take part in a two-week homestay program and global youth camp in July as Junior Ambassadors (JAs) at the Asia-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka, Japan. Hosted by the Fukuoka government, APCC promotes international relationships between children so that they will become adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. Over 225 children from more than 40 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region are invited to participate this year. The first day is a global exchange camp where they interact with each other and then ten days are spent in a home stay with host Japanese families.

Prior to the trip, JASH conducts monthly training workshops for the six JAs to develop team-building skills and learn about the APCC program.

Please visit the official APCC website at http://www.apcc.gr.jp/e for further information.

. : Hawaii delegates depart for Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka

After six months of workshops preparing for the 22nd Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention, Hawaii’s six Junior Ambassadors (Kristen Izuo, Calais Nobuhara, Mari Alice Shaw, Justin Ho, Joshua Nakanishi and Reyn Tao), Peace Ambassador Serena Li and chaperone Cheryl Parker departed on Friday, July 16 for Fukuoka, Japan. There were some tearful goodbyes as the kids bid farewell to their parents at the airport. For all of the Junior Ambassadors, this trip will be the first time to be away from their parents for an extended period of time. They will spend a total of eleven days in Fukuoka – nine days with a Japanese host family and two days at a camp with other 11-year-olds from over 40 different countries.

Prior to their departure the delegates met with Governor Linda Lingle on Tuesday, July 13 in her Executive Chambers. For many, this was the first time to meet the Governor and all were excited and nervous to shake her hand. When asked what they were most looking forward to discover in Japan, the Junior Ambassadors responded, “everything!” Governor Lingle responded that she was looking forward to hearing about what they discover in Japan when they meet again after the delegates return to Honolulu.

The delegation will return to Honolulu on July 27.

The Hawaii delegates and APCC Program Director Liz Barrera meet Governor Linda Lingle.

. : 2010 APCC Delegates Prepare for Convention

The JASH Junior Ambassadors (JAs) to the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) have been busy preparing for their trip to Fukuoka, Japan this summer. On April 17, they attended their second workshop when they began practicing the hula which they will perform at the Convention in Fukuoka in July. The JAs also learned about Japanese customs and etiquette they will put into practice during their trip from JASH intern Yuko Ishigami.

During the weekend of May 1-2, the JAs accompanied by chaperone Cheryl Parker and select JASH staff experienced an overnight stay at Camp Erdman in Waialua. This annual outing is intended to bond the JAs through outdoor activities and team building exercises. The camp experience teaches the JAs to develop personal confidence in being away from their families and to rely on each other. While at the camp, the JAs took part in a team-building course, hiked up to a waterfall at the campgrounds, ate smores and shared stories around a campfire, and practiced their hula performance. For several of the JAs, this was their first overnight experience at a camp away from their families.

JAs participate in a team building exercise.

. : 2010 APCC Peace Ambassador Selected

JASH is pleased to announce that the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) office in Fukuoka Japan has selected Serena Li, an 11th grader at Iolani School, to be a Peace Ambassador at the 22nd annual APCC in Fukuoka this year. Peace Ambassadors are former Junior Ambassadors who will share their Bridge Club Hawaii (APCC alumni association) activities with other Peace Ambassadors from around the world at the APCC Convention in Fukuoka in order to promote understanding and friendship and expand the network of worldwide Junior Ambassadors.

Serena originally participated as a Junior Ambassador with the APCC in 2005. Currently, she serves as the Bridge Club Hawaii president. Overall, only 25 Peace Ambassadors were selected world-wide; two are from the United States. Serena will be joining six APCC Junior Ambassadors from Hawaii this July when they travel to Fukuoka for the annual global youth camp.

JASH selects and prepares the Junior Ambassadors through a series of monthly workshops and team building events. JASH also selects the adult chaperone.

2010 APCC Peace Ambassador Serena Li.

. : 2010 APCC Junior Ambassadors Selected

JASH has selected six 11-year old students (three boys and three girls) from across the state to represent Hawaii as Junior Ambassadors (JAs) at the 22nd Asian-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka, Japan this July. The APCC promotes international relationships between children with the goal of them becoming adults with a strong social responsibility for the world. More than 200 children from throughout the Asia-Pacific region have been invited to participate this year.

The process for choosing the six JAs was competitive as 22 applicants applied this year. After a long day of interviews and team-activities held at the JASH office, the final six JAs were selected: Joshua Nakanishi (Hawaii Baptist Academy); Reyn Tao (Mililani Mauka Elementary); Jonah Yamato (Pearlridge Elementary); Kristen Izuo (Iolani School), Calais Nobuhara (Punahou School); Mari Alice Shaw (Moanalua Elementary).

When they arrive in Fukuoka, their first day will be a Global Exchange Camp where all APCC delegates will have a chance to interact with each other. The next ten days will then be spent in a home-stay with Japanese host families.

The students will participate in five workshops and an overnight camp to prepare for their trip to Fukuoka. At each workshop, they will learn more about Japan, the other Asian-Pacific countries that are participating, and the proper etiquette needed during the home stay. They will also be learning a hula taught by Makua Dori Kim, a Hawaiian studies teacher at Aina Haina Elementary.

On March 12, the JAs had the opportunity to learn more about Japan and the Pacific at a “Behind the Scenes” tour of the Honolulu Festival on Friday, March 12 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The group was taken on a personalized 90 minute tour to meet the different groups participating in the Honolulu Festival. What a unique opportunity for the kids!

At the first workshop on March 13, the JAs and parents had a chance to meet some of the 2009 delegates to hear about their experiences and perspectives from participating last year. Their second workshop will be held on April 17.

(L) L-R back row: Calais Nobuhara, Justin Ho, Kristen Izuo; L-R front row: Reyn Tao, Mari Alice Shaw, Joshua Nakanishi .      (R) 2010 JA Reyn Tao plays the taiko drum.