New Podcast Spotlights Hawaii Island Opio Choosing to Build Their Future at Home

HAWAIʻI ISLAND — What if the most powerful story we could tell our young people is this: You don’t have to leave home to succeed.

For years, many of our ʻōpio have received a subtle message that opportunity exists elsewhere — that in order to grow, they must go. The Best and The Brightest was created to shift that narrative. And this year, we are reintroducing it with renewed intention.

Nominations are OPEN for The Best and The Brightest — to challenge the long-standing narrative that Hawaiʻi’s most promising ʻōpio (young people) must leave the island to succeed.

Nominations close April 24 at 11:59 p.m. Nominations can be submitted at bit.ly/26nominate. Self-nominations are also welcome.

This quarter, community members are encouraged to nominate an ʻōpio ages 16-24 whose leadership is demonstrated through service and advocacy for Hawaiʻi Island — whether through organizing, volunteering, or speaking up for issues that matter to their generation.

Selected ʻōpio will receive a gift certificate to a Hawaiʻi Island startup clothing brand, a $100 cash award, and will be featured in an episode of The Best and The Brightest.

We invite educators, employers, mentors, community members, and ʻōpio themselves to submit nominations.

If you know an ʻōpio whose leadership, commitment, and love for Hawaiʻi Island deserves to be seen and celebrated, nominate them.

Submit a nomination and review full eligibility details at www.vibranthawaii.org/oaka.

About Vibrant Hawaiʻi
Vibrant Hawaiʻi is a community-driven organization dedicated to strengthening resilience across Hawaiʻi Island. Through partnerships, programs, and grassroots initiatives, Vibrant Hawaiʻi works to enhance preparedness and build more connected, resilient communities.

ʻOAKA (ʻŌpio Alliance for Kuleana Advancement) is a youth-designed and youth-led initiative created by and for Gen Z. The name "ʻOaka" means to open, sprout, or flash—symbolizing new beginnings and powerful bursts of energy, like lightning. ʻOAKA provides equitable opportunities for youth and young adults to develop a strong work ethic, build leadership capacity as civic change agents through mentorship, and gain real-world employability skills through community-centered learning.