Our Waiwai summer youth program is designed to focus on expanding the understanding of community health and healthcare among our health career fellows. It will be held for five weeks - five days a week and approximately seven hours a day (totalling 180 hours). The program enrolls at least 25 students from the community who are either entering their junior or senior years in high school, or are recent high school graduates.

During this year’s five-week program, students will attend in-person (subject to change).  Students will spend their mornings rotating among five of KKV’s main programs:  Youth Services (Pacific Voices and Cultural Enrichment Classes), the Roots Program, Hoʻoulu Āina,  Maternal Child Health, and the Elder Care Program. In the afternoon students will engage in class discussion and group reflection, facilitated by the program coordinators, alternating with engaging with different providers at KKV and in the larger community.

The program includes creative reflection assignments, photovoice (taking photographs of people and places with a written narrative), historical and personal timelines (mapping out events that impact or have impacted family health), and community crawls (trips to significant spaces in Kalihi that tie into health). The fellows also complete applications for health professional schools and programs. Preparation for this includes mock applications and completed written statements which they will share and critique thoughtfully and appreciatively as a group.

FAQʻs

When is the Waiwai Health Fellowship?

Sessions are Monday-Friday for 5 weeks (180 hours).

Who is eligible to apply?

Students who will be entering their junior or senior year of high school, or are 2024 high school graduates can apply.