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ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA Alumni (1988-2005) Questionnaire

OHA is working towards reviving the ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA experience. We are seeking manaʻo from alumni who participated in the program from 1988 to 2005. The purposes of this survey are to get feedback on your experiences, to identify alumni who want to help shape future ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA programs, and to improve the opportunities for our youth to grow their civics leadership skills.

Your participation is optional and is expected to take less than 10 minutes. As some years have passed since being a participant, we just ask that you try and respond to as many questions as you can. There are no known risks associated with completing the survey. You may skip any question you do not wish to answer, and you may stop participating at any time without penalty.

Your responses will remain anonymous. We will request that you provide your contact information at the end of the survey in a separate form. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, you can contact Makiʻilei Ishihara at education@oha.org or Elise Dela Cruz-Talbert at elised@oha.org.

If you need help completing the survey, please contact OHA Beneficiary Services via the following link.
1.Which island, tribal affiliation, or state did you represent as a participant in ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA?
2.Which year(s) were you a participant in ʻAha ʻŌpio o OHA and what was your role? Please select your answers from the dropdown menus.
Year
Representative or Senator
The first year of participation
The second year of participation (may not apply)
The following questions ask about your knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to civic and cultural engagement. Please reflect on activities you’ve been part of in your community, work, or other settings—whether recently or in the past.
3.Civic & Community Experience:
Select whether you have ever participated in the following activities.
Yes, I have done this
No, I have not done this
I don't know
Held an elected leadership role.
Written or presented a proposal, bill, or petition at any level of government.
Participated in public hearings or submitted testimony at any level of government.
Attended public meetings, debates, or information sessions related to policy making at any level of government.
Met with an elected official who represents me at any level of government (council member, OHA Trustee, state legislator, congressional etc.)
Connected with a civic or political organization.
Commented on an online news story or social media post to express an opinion about a political or social issue.
4.Leadership & Teamwork:
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I feel confident speaking in front of a group.
I feel capable of working on a team effectively to accomplish a goal.
I know how to research a topic to support an argument or proposal.
I feel confident in my ability to advocate for an issue I care about.
I can lead a small group to complete a task or project.
I am comfortable making decisions that affect a group.
I feel confident guiding a team through disagreements to maintain collaboration.
5.Cultural Knowledge:
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I am familiar with traditional Hawaiian values such as aloha, mālama ʻāina, pono, etc.
I am confident discussing Hawaiian values such as aloha, mālama ʻāina, pono, etc.
I feel knowledgeable about Hawaiian cultural practices and traditions.
I feel knowledgeable about current issues affecting the ability of Native Hawaiians to practice culture and traditions today.
I feel knowledgeable about key events in Hawaiian political history (before Western contact, Kingdom era, overthrow, statehood).
I am confident discussing Hawaiian political history (before Western contact, Kingdom era, overthrow, statehood).
I am interested in learning more about Hawaiian political history (before Western contact, Kingdom era, overthrow, statehood).
I feel knowledgeable about how Hawaiian cultural practices and traditions have influenced contemporary governance and laws.
6.Civic Engagement & Legislative Process:
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I understand steps involved in creating or influencing laws in Hawaiʻi.
I know how to find information about current legislation or civic issues that affect my community.
I understand how I can engage with the legislative process.
I understand the role of elected officials who represent me.
I feel confident participating in debates or discussions about civic issues.
I understand the responsibilities of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as mandated by Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes (HRS) – Chapter 10.
7.Community Building:
Please indicate how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I feel connected to people in my geographic neighborhood.
I feel connected to people at my job or in a community-based organization (e.g. church, hula halau).
I feel comfortable interacting with people from different identities and cultures.
I respectfully listen to and consider opinions different from my own.
I regularly make time to participate in volunteer activities that benefit my community.
I know people or groups I can reach out to for support with civic or cultural projects.
Your feedback will guide the experiences of future ʻAha ʻŌpio participants.
8.What were the best aspects of your ʻAha ʻŌpio experience?
9.What would have made the ʻAha ʻŌpio program better?
10.Want to reconnect with your ʻAha ʻŌpio cohort or contribute to the development of the upcoming program? Please indicate how you would like to participate. After submitting your responses to this survey, a link to a separate form will ask you to share your contact information below.
Yes, I am interested
No, I am not interested
I am not sure
Mentoring future ʻōpio.
Participating in future ʻAha ʻŌpio events.
Sharing your ʻAha ʻŌpio story (e.g. for a video or article).
Supporting the program in another capacity.
Providing your demographic information will help us better understand this alumni community and the diversity of participants who respond to this survey.
11.What is the highest level of school that you have completed?
12.Which of the following best describes your current occupation? Please select from the dropdown menu.
Mahalo! The link below will take you to a separate form to share your contact information so that your responses remain anonymous. If you do not want to provide your contact information but still want to help with the future cohort you can contact Makiʻilei Ishihara by email at education@oha.org or by phone at (808) 582-0528. Please remember to click "Done" to submit your responses.