Hawaii’s Junior Ambassadors at the 36th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention in Fukuoka, Japan

Asian-Pacific Children's ConventionEducation

Aug 20

This July, our four Junior Ambassadors (JAs) for the 36th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC) traveled to Fukuoka with chaperone Wendy Lum and Peace Ambassador Joanna Sato to represent Hawaii at the ten-day international children’s camp and homestay.

*Hawaii delegation at the We are the BRIDGE Festival 2024 in Fukuoka*
*(L-R) Wendy, Lily, Kendall, Matthew, Jonah, and Joanna*

The weekend before they departed Honolulu, our JAs and their families met at the JASH Office for their last preparatory workshop to review their final departure information. They presented their final report presentations; tried on their beautiful aloha wear and performed oli and hula in front of parents; learned about the Marine House where they were going to stay during the Camp; and shared ideas about omiyage, packing list, and homestay.

During this workshop, they were joined by a veteran chaperone, Sandy Takeda and a former President of Bridge Club, Betsy Wo who shared their reflections, suggestions, and expectations as a program chaperone, parent, and alumni. Everyone was very excited for our Hawaii delegation to travel to Fukuoka.

*Hawaii delegation, their families, and JASH staff are ALL excited for the trip at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport!*

The group was in Fukuoka from July 12-22, 2024. During their trip, they met and developed friendships with their peers from over 60 countries and regions throughout Asia and the Pacific at the Marine House global camp; represented Hawaii and the APCC program during a visit at APCC sponsored company and APCC’s partnered municipality, Lixil and Yokote Elementary School; and experienced daily life during a week-long homestay with local volunteer families. The JAs also performed Oli Mahalo and hula ʻUlupalakua during the We are the BRIDGE Festival 2024, where each delegation performed a song or dance from their culture at the LaLaport shopping center in Fukuoka.

*JAs made a lot of new friends at Marine House Global Camp*

*JAs were welcomed by Yokote Elementary School with handmade gifts*

Upon returning to Honolulu, our JAs met for the last time at the JASH Office to share all of their exciting experiences and to hear feedback from the families for how JASH can continue to improve the program. The group also was introduced to the alumni group Bridge Club Hawaii (BCH) during a post-program potluck held at Kapiolani Park in mid August.

*BCH members welcomed the 2024 JAs at a potluck picnic*

This year’s return to Fukuoka was another huge success, filled with laughter and happy tears! JASH is honored to have served as the Liaison Office for the Hawaii delegation since 2003. If you wish to know more about the APCC program, or if you’d like to receive information regarding the 2025 program, please visit the JASH website at https://www.jashawaii.org/education/apcc.