A peer mediation program for elementary school students in Hawaii is being funded by the First Hawaiian Bank Foundation.   The foundation provided $7500 to the Ku’ikahi Mediation Center which is a Hilo non-profit that serves East Hawaii.  

The goal of the program, according to FHB Foundation President Sharon Shiroma Brown, is to “… teach children dispute prevention and conflict resolution through peaceful means”.   Brown stated publicly she appreciates the financial support from the bank.  

The program will run during the 2017-2018 school year and will provide fourth, fifth, and sixth graders training for mediation.   The students will be attendees from Kapiloani, Keonepoko, Mountain View, and Na Wai Ola Elementary Schools. 

According to a fifth grade student from one of the schools, the program will be positive.   She shared her experiences acting as a mediator and stated that she is “… learned as a peer mediator to let the students solve their own problems and not be rude and disrespectful.    The student further explained the training helped her improve her communication and behavior, and now she is patient with people and does not interrupt their conversations.   She says she is proud to be a peer mediator and she believes her actions are making the world a better place. 

The mission of the Ku’ikahi Mediation Center is to “empower people to come together to talk and listen,” and to give them an opportunity to explore all of the possible options available for resolving a dispute and to help them find the best solution for everyone involved.