KVIBE in Hilo

The KVIBE interns took their skills to the Big Island to share bike safety and repair tips with youth from the One Stop Center for Micronesian Youth. It was an amazing opportunity for KVIBE interns to connect with youth who, they say, “were just like us.”   

On December 27th and 28th, five KVIBE interns, staff, and Youth Services Coordinator Rona Mangayayam made the trip to Hilo to provide an engaging workshop for 19 high and middle school boys from the One Stop Center for Micronesian Youth. The trip was made possible through a partnership with the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute (HPHI), Bikeshare Hawaiʻi (Biki), and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League (HBL). Each student was gifted a brand-new bike, helmet, lock, and a bike maintenance kit. KVIBE interns led the activities of the two-day workshop, including bike safety tips and bike repair training.   

The trip culminated in a four-mile community bike ride around Hilo, stopping at several historical places. Special guests on the ride included Travis Counsell from HBL, Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth, and Jessica Thompson from HPHI. They stopped at Keaukaha Elementary School, where riders heard from artist Kawehi Mahi-Roberts about the school mural she created. They also stopped at Queen Liliʻuokalani Park, where they learned about the park’s history from the Friends of Queen Liliʻuokalani Park. The ride concluded with a mahalo circle.   

KVIBE staff say it was an amazing experience for the interns to teach other youth about something they’re passionate about. “One big thing [the KVIBE interns] kept saying was that they were nervous, but then they realized they’re just like us,” said KVIBE Coordinator Savelio “Nuki” Makasini. “After they realized that, it was a lot easier for them to teach. They even got close, adding each other’s Instagrams.” The group played games during their breaks, and one of them focused on finding similarities with each other. “One of the prompts was to stand up if you’re Micronesian,” said Rona, “and everybody stood up.” Carmina Allen Alik, the One Stop Center Executive Director, told Rona that sometimes the youth don’t feel proud to be Micronesian but doing this during a game allowed everyone to open up and really connect with each other.   

Mahalo to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health, Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, Bikeshare Hawaiʻi (Biki), and the Hawaiʻi Bicycling League for making this trip possible for our KVIBE interns!