HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Friday, high school students in Oahu showcased their life skills knowledge.
Participants from Kalani and Waipahu high schools, as well as Iolani School, took part in a game show-style competition that addressed various topics including personal finance, environmental issues, technology, health and safety, along with consumer rights and responsibilities.
This event marked the final state-level round of a national competition organized by LifeSmarts, an educational initiative aimed at equipping students with essential life skills for navigating the real world successfully.
The competition was moderated by Ben Gutierrez and has enjoyed local sponsorship from the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) for over twenty years.
Deputy director Dean Hazama stated that the program’s aim is to teach students critical “life skills so they can manage their finances, understand the economy, learn about businesses, and other essential skills such as weather awareness.”
Teams consisting of four to five students dedicate a year to training for this competition, according to Hazama.
Ultimately, Iolani School emerged victorious. The five team members, along with their coach, will head to Chicago in April to vie for the national championship.
In 2023, Hawaii’s Maryknoll School clinched the national title.
LifeSmarts is administered by the National Consumer League and brought to Hawaii through the DCCA’s Business Registration Division and Insurance Division in collaboration with the Hawaii Credit Union League.
For more information about the program, click here.
(DCCA)
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