Learning Leadership Skills The Fun Way
- singaporesparty
- Jan 25, 2015
- 2 min read
Written By Daisy Willis
Every year on the first Saturday of the Spring semester the University of Hawaii at Hilo hosts the annual Hoolaulea. This event incorporates student performers and community vendors into one setting and the result is hours of fun held in the parking lot of the University. This event is one of the biggest that the University puts on, and many long hours of planning are required to pull the event together.
For the past two years, Matthew Kalahiki has been a co-chair of the Hoolaulea planning committee. Matthew, or Matt as he prefers to be called, is currently a Mathematics major at UHH as well as the Head Chair of the Board of Student Publications, a part time instructor for the Upward Bound program, a tutor at Waikea Intermediate, and the holder of a Bachelor's in Computer Science. Even with his extensive list of accomplishments, Matt was still challenged planning this year's Hoolaulea.
UH Hilo Spring 2015 Hoolaulea held on Saturday, January 17, 2015. Photo taken by Matthew Kalahiki.
Matt stated, "Being one of the chairs of the event, I was given the opportunity to coordinate responsibilities with 15 other people. I learned how to work with different people and their various opinions and ideas. There were also some instances that required me to step out of my role as chair to make sure tasks were completed by deadline."
His skills in leadership were not the only ones that Matt exercised during his time on the planning committee. He spoke about the extensive amount of time that was put into gathering the community vendors that participated in the event. Hours of store visits, phone calls, and emailing had to be done in order to coordinate all of the students and community vendors into a cohesive event.
Matt stops to strike a pose wearing his Hoolaulea T-Shirt with another student as they prepare for the Spring 2015 UH Hilo Hoolaulea. Photo provided by Matthew Kalahiki.
Matt confessed, "Being a student at UH Hilo, I've learned about building time management, financial, and people skills. Also being a part of a Chartered Student Organization (CSO) has taught me to be an outstanding leader. I'd say they were all essential to make this event successful."
For students interested in becoming student leaders, please visit the Board of Student Publications website provided below. There are officer positions open and students are encouraged to join in order to improve leadership skills and apply what they already know to become better employees after graduation.
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