JASH APCC Alumnus Kala Soares Selected for Special Peace Ambassador Program

The Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) is thrilled to share that Kala Soares, an alumnus of the Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), has been selected to represent both JASH and the Bridge Club of Hawaii (BCH) as a Special Peace Ambassador for the APCC’s 2025 program. Kala's journey with APCC began in 2018, when he took part as a Junior Ambassador.

What is the Special Peace Ambassador Program?

When the COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on international travel, the APCC had to shift its usual in-person Junior Ambassador (JA) and Peace Ambassador (PA) programs in Fukuoka to virtual Zoom sessions. But in 2022, as things started to open up again, the APCC introduced the Special Peace Ambassador Program—a chance to finally reunite in Fukuoka! This special program focuses on helping participants build their leadership skills so they can take on active roles in their local Bridge Clubs and grow into confident Global BRIDGE Leaders.

The APCC Alumnus Kala Soares (2018) will represent JASH and BC Hawaii in the Special Peace Ambassador Program in 2025. In preparing for the program, Kala would like to share the following message with all of our JASH supporters:

Aloha, everyone!
My name is Kala Soares. I’m 18 years old and currently a senior at Punahou School. In 2018, I was honored to be selected as a Junior Ambassador for the 30th Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), alongside two other boys and three girls around my age. I was hyped to be chosen for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Fukuoka, Japan, and connect with kids from all over the world.

Kala (third person from the left) - Getting ready for their performance at Beach Walk.

After arriving at the Marine House—where we stayed during our first week with the other JAs—I was bunked with boys from Myanmar, a country I had never heard of before. We played card games (I actually learned how to bridge shuffle there!), ran around playing tag and hide-and-seek, had pillow fights, and talked about life in each other’s countries. One of our main goals was to exchange business cards and meet representatives from every APCC region, so we spent a lot of time going from cabin to cabin introducing ourselves.

Kala (on the left side) - getting bento from a stand outside in Fukuoka, Japan.

The host stay was just as unforgettable as the Marine House. My host family had three siblings—an older brother, an older sister, and a younger brother. I spent most of my time with Haruto, the older brother, going to school with him and hanging out. I practiced the Japanese I had been learning at school while enjoying authentic food and experiencing the culture firsthand. Some of the most memorable moments included wearing a yukata to a local festival, having a water balloon fight on their rooftop, and going fishing at a mountain spring. That week was such a blast, and I still remember every bit of it vividly.

Kala (Right side) - with host family eldest brother getting ready to go to school with their randoseru (school bag)

After APCC and JASH, I felt my confidence and social skills grow significantly. That growth pushed me to apply to Punahou School, where I was later accepted. The experience also sparked a deep interest in global learning and travel. Later, I joined a senior capstone trip through the Wo International Center, which gave me the rare opportunity to volunteer in Bhutan.

Now, as I prepare to return to Fukuoka as a Peace Ambassador, I’m excited to continue learning about new cultures. I look forward to discussing ways to strengthen our Bridge Clubs for future generations and to finding meaningful ways I can continue contributing to the cause throughout my life.