Teens in Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Are Changing Their Future

Teens from Oahu’s West Side change the narrative through hard work in summer internships

Walking a New Path

Teens in Nānākuli-Waiʻanae

This summer, teens from the Nānākuli-Waiʻanae area on Oʻahu are showing that success can come from trying something new. Instead of getting caught up in negative headlines, they joined a paid summer internship program led by the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi—and it’s changing how people see them.

15 students were matched with businesses both local and international, from auto shops and fashion design studios to media companies and even tech firms in Ghana and India. The program gave them real job skills and, even more importantly, confidence in themselves.

“I would always underestimate my ability to make quality work,” said Logan Lutu-Carroll, one of the student interns. “After this internship, I realized that I’m a lot more capable of things that I don’t even know that I’m capable of.”

She also added, “But I think instead of seeing just that we’re violent and not the best school, they should see past it and see what we can become. That’s something that these adults don’t see.”

Teachers and program leaders believe this opportunity helps teens see their own potential while showing the community a brighter side.

“With the dark cloud that is hovering over this community, I see that this program can bring light,” said Evangeline Casinas, Complex Academic Officer for the Nānākuli-Waiʻanae Complex. “So for our students, they can see that there is potential in themselves and what they want to do.”

“You know, sometimes they get a bad rep if they’re from this Leeward Coast,” added Lord Ryan Lizardo, vice president of education at the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi. “And so we’re changing that narrative one by one. And so my hope is that you’re seeing the potential of these students.”

The Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi also believes this program helps solve a big challenge in the state: a shortage of workers in fast-growing industries. By giving students hands-on experience early, they’re building a stronger workforce for the future.

I think this program is amazing because it proves that young people can rise above stereotypes. These students didn’t just gain job skills—they gained confidence and showed their community what’s possible when opportunities are given. Instead of being judged for where they come from, they’re showing the world where they can go.

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