Raise Your Hand

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“Raise Your Hand” is a monthly editorial column written by high school students and their peers in collaboration with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Its purpose is to provide a platform for youth voice, particularly DOE students. Since its start in March 2016, over 90 articles have been published in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

We fervently believe that when youth are allowed to voice their opinions, amazing feats are accomplished. A young adult’s concerns are not only about school lunches, bullies, or the dress code. The younger generation is just as passionate and invested as their adult counterparts in issues facing our world. After all, they are our future leaders!

Click here to learn more about Raise Your Hand.

Blog Posts

Does Tourism Hurt or Help Hawaii: Pro and Con

Does Tourism Hurt or Help Hawaii: Pro and Con

With its refreshing waters, aromatic scents of native greenery, and crisp breeze, Hawaii is
truly an island paradise. Alongside the locals, you may spot an abundance of tourists — more
than 200,000 of them on the islands on any given day. While tourism is a controversial topic
among locals, its importance to the local community and economy is undeniable.

Rising From the Ashes: Rebuilding Lahaina

Gear Up, Summer Fun Needs Your Help

Gear Up, Summer Fun Needs Your Help

Programs like Summer Fun are more important now than ever in light of the COVID pandemic, during which in-person opportunities for children were severely limited. The diverse programming that Summer Fun offers can aid in rebuilding children’s physical endurance and strength lost during extended periods at home. Additionally, it provides opportunities for socialization and developing social cues — skills that were strained during the pandemic when children primarily interacted through screens.

Lower America's Legal Voting age to 16

Lower America's Legal Voting age to 16

Lowering the voting age to 16 will help to make voting a habit for young people. With more familiarity at a younger age, individuals will be more inclined to vote in future elections, improving overall voter turnout. Additionally, it communicates the importance of civic engagement and fosters active participation in democracy.

Toxic Masculinity

Toxic Masculinity

"According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “toxic masculinity” is defined as a set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men, regarded as having a negative impact on men and society as a whole. Some individuals on the extreme end have appropriated the term to express their disdain for men, twisting the true meaning of the term."

Cut the caffeine and get some sleep

Cut the caffeine and get some sleep

"While having increased alertness and energy can be helpful, caffeine consumers can easily fall into a potentially dangerous cycle of dependence."

Should Tiktok be banned?

Should Tiktok be banned?

"Yes, the app is highly addictive, affecting social development and mental health," says Rihanna. "No, blatant censorship would harm democratic fabric of our society," argues Brayden.

Hawaii’s housing crisis is self-inflicted

Hawaii’s housing crisis is self-inflicted

"The reason that not enough housing is built in Hawaii is that regulations are onerous, numerous and convoluted. More often than not, it takes several years to get all of the necessary approvals."

Some schools are great; others aren’t

Some schools are great; others aren’t

"At its core, education is a variable of location. This is why the problems people face with education are so varied; no two schools work the same or are of the exact same quality. Some people are lucky enough to go to great schools, while others have to fight to get into one of the few good schools around."

Transgender athletes a complex issue

Transgender athletes a complex issue

"When questions over fairness and safety are raised, many who advocate for the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports opt for swift reprisal rather than honest dialogue."

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