(HONOLULU) June 17, 2026 — Forty-three Native Hawaiian high school students will be in Honolulu next week to take part in ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA 2026, a week-long residential leadership, mock legislature and civic education program.
The session opens Monday, June 21 at 9:00 a.m. in the House of Representatives Chamber at the Hawaii State Capitol. Hawaii State Senate President Ron Kouchi, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele and other dignitaries and elected officials will participate in the Opening Day events.
ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA provides a transformative opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of civic engagement while strengthening their connection to lāhui, ʻāina, and kuleana. The program is designed for high school students who are passionate about Hawaiian culture, leadership, governance, and advocacy.
“Since its inception in 1988, ʻAha ʻŌpio has inspired generations of young Native Hawaiians to become community leaders, educators, advocates, and public servants,” said Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees Chairperson Kaialiʻi Kahele, himself an ʻAha ʻŌpio alumnus. “The program was originally envisioned by OHA educators, kūpuna, community leaders, and volunteers who sought to create a culturally grounded experience that blended leadership development, parliamentary procedure, and ʻike Hawaiʻi, and OHA is happy to be able to revive the program and make this great opportunity available once again.”
Today, that legacy continues through an immersive week of hands-on learning and leadership development.
Participants will engage in:
“This year, ʻAha ʻŌpio welcomes high school students from across Hawaiʻi and beyond,” Kahele said. “These ʻōpio are chosen for this moment—koho ʻia. Their kuleana is to continue the work begun by the generations before them and help shape an Indigenous future grounded in ʻike, leadership, and aloha.”
ʻAha ʻŌpio runs through Friday, June 26.
