"Youth Alliance has given me better insight on how people can make a difference in other’s lives."

Home > Apply to Youth Alliance

Youth Alliance Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Focus Maui Nui?

2. Who leads Focus Maui Nui?

3. What is the Youth Alliance?

4. How often does the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance meet?

5. What happens at Youth Alliance sessions?

6. What is expected of the Youth Alliance member?

7. Who is eligible to participate in Youth Alliance?

8. What if my child misses a session?

9. What about transportation to and from sessions?

10. Is food provided at the sessions?

11. Are there any costs associated with the Youth Alliance?

12. My child’s photo is collected, what will you do with this?

13. Is the Youth Alliance T-shirt for each session?

14. Who do I contact at the Youth Alliance?

1. What is Focus Maui Nui?
Focus Maui Nui is a vision for Maui County’s future based on the core values of our residents. It is the result of a groundbreaking process in 2003 that engaged over 1,700 residents—including more than 120 youth—in 165 sessions throughout Maui County. Residents emphasized balancing five Key Strategies to make the vision happen: Improve education, Protect the natural environment, Address infrastructure challenges—especially affordable housing and roadways, Create economic development strategies and Preserve local culture and address human needs.

2. Who leads Focus Maui Nui?
Focus Maui Nui is spearheaded by the Maui Economic Development Board, Inc. (MEDB) and an Advisory Team made up of leaders from business, education, nonprofit organizations, and government. MEDB is a nonprofit organization formed in 1982 to create new economic options for Maui County and empower residents to take advantage of these new options while honoring our cultural and environmental values.

3. What is the Youth Alliance?
Youth Alliance is a program to help its members learn about the vision, values and priorities of Focus Maui Nui and give voice to the views of our teenagers about what Maui County needs to create a sustainable future. Members will be proactive as a team in developing projects and activities for youth, by youth that promote Focus Maui Nui.

4. How often does the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance meet?
Youth Alliance meets one Saturday each month of the school year at different places around Maui County. Regular sessions run from 9:45 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Special sessions may be held during the week or overnight for special events or off-island trips.

5. What happens at Youth Alliance sessions?
A regular session is centered on a site visit and/or a presentation by a business, organization, or a specialist that describes a part of our community. The site visit and presentation are followed by a discussion about how this part affects how each member thinks of our community and how it relates to Focus Maui Nui. We use “ice-breakers,” assign responsibilities and set up small group projects to help members bond as a team. Activities are intended to be enriching—and fun!

6. What is expected of the Youth Alliance member?
We value the commitment and the investment of time of each member in making Focus Maui Nui a reality. Each member who attends and participates in a regular session is provided with a $25 stipend at the conclusion of the session.

7. Who is eligible to participate in Youth Alliance?
Youth Alliance intentionally draws upon a diverse background of students to ensure a cross section of voices is included in shaping our leadership of tomorrow. Freshman and sophomores from Maui, Lanai and Molokai are our target participants.

8. What if my child misses a session?
We understand that sometimes members will have sports events or other obligations that may not allow them to attend. Youth Alliance has no required attendance policy, but we do expect members to make every effort to attend sessions.

9. What about transportation to and from sessions?
You are responsible for bringing your child to and from sessions, so we strongly encourage carpooling. If you cannot arrange your own transportation, please call us right away to help you. We organize transportation for Lanai and Molokai participants.

10. Is food provided at the sessions?
Youth Alliance provides all meals, beverages and snacks for members. If your child has any food allergies or special needs, please let us know.

11. Are there any costs associated with the Youth Alliance?
There is no cost to join or participate in Youth Alliance activities.

12. My child’s photo is collected, what will you do with this?
We ask your permission to use your child’s photograph to develop the Youth Alliance website, program materials and press placements.

13. Is the Youth Alliance T-shirt for each session?
Yes, all members receive a free Youth Alliance T-shirt that we would like them to wear at each session or special event.

14. Who do I contact at the Youth Alliance?
For any questions about anything to do with the Youth Alliance, please contact Focus Maui Nui at 875-2300 or via email at info@focusmauinui.com.