about us
Our Mission
Building Community Through Our Youth
Pā‘ia Youth Council, Inc., operating the Pā‘ia Youth & Cultural Center, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation funded by grants from the Maui County Department of Housing & Human Concerns, private foundations, community donations, and fundraisers.
Our mission is to build community through our youth.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to provide a safe place emotionally and physically for the youth of Pā‘ia and surrounding communities which offers a variety of social, educational, cultural, vocational, and recreational activities.
This purpose has evolved from offering programs and activities to putting a face and a voice on our youth and assisting them in being an important and integral part of the community.
We are primarily guided by our Hawaiian values. The exploration of our mission and values leads to our purposes. They are ideals which form the basis for making decisions and serve as an evaluation tool for PYCC.
- Social Interaction: We nurture the emerging youth culture that is arising from the appreciation of the rainbow of diverse cultures within our community. We celebrate the deep appreciation of and connection to the land and ocean. We focus our attention 100% on what people are trying to say to us. We are present for each other.
- Economics: We attain economic freedom through creative action. We demonstrate that individuals can create their own futures. We create economic viability within families and the community based on modern culture, and the talents and knowledge of the people who live in the community.
- Ethics: We follow The Four Agreements: We are impeccable with our word. We don’t take anything personally. We don’t make assumptions. We always do our best.
- Health and Well-Being: We demonstrate and promote positive, healthy, vital lifestyles as a model for the youth, families, and community as a whole.
- Learning and Human Development: We learn through fun and play and trying new, exciting things. We provide opportunities for self awareness and for the attainment of skills for our learning in a rapidly changing world.
- Science and Technology: We develop the technological skills of youth and the community to reach economic competency and for cultural and artistic expression and presentation.
- Aesthetics: We nurture the beauty of our grounds, our buildings, and our people. We promote the self expression of youth. We tap into the power of the place we live to enrich our inner quality of life.
- Governance: We govern ourselves through our values and purposes.
our values
Our Values
At PYCC we strive to find common ground through the use of cultural values:
LOKAHI (unity) is the importance of living harmoniously with the environment and those who occupy the same space. It does not necessarily involve simple agreement with one another on socio-political issues, but instead refers to being able to live in harmony despite differences.
OHANA (family) once referred to the bonds created by blood. The word ‘Ohana comes from the root word ‘oha which is the name given to the tiny rootlets sent out from a single kalo (taro). Extended family is the western way to describe an ‘ohana; however, today the term has grown to include any group united by a single purpose. Being a member of any ‘ohana indicates a higher level of commitment than would be expected of a member of a club or hui. Implicit in the ‘ohana is the importance of keiki or children as the continuation of the people, and the importance of kupuna or elders as the repositories of knowledge and wisdom. In an ‘ohana, mutual support is an expectation.
ALOHA is more than a word of greeting or farewell or a salutation. Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligation in return. Aloha is the essence of relationships in which each person is important to every other person for collective existence. Aloha means to hear what is not said, to see what cannot be seen and to know the unknowable. (Chapter 5, HRS)
KULEANA (responsibility, ownership, privilege) is something that must be taught. It is both a responsibility and a privilege to be a member of an ‘ohana. It requires that each person assume ownership of that ‘ohana. Each person’s actions reflect on the whole. Each person’s role is both defined by and defines the ‘ohana.
MALAMA (care for, serve, honor) the land because it is an elder sibling. Malama the ‘ohana in order to preserve it. Caring for one another, for our homes, our families, our community, and the world is needed if we are to find true lokahi. Conservation and preservation are only part of the picture. We must also malama ourselves.
LAULIMA (cooperation) literally means “many hands.” In order to achieve our goals, working together is imperative. Social learning is culturally appropriate. Teamwork is stressed. Individual achievement is encouraged in as much as each person’s contribution helps the group.
HA’AHA’A (humility) allows everyone to continue to learn and improve. Being humble is not false modesty, but a confidence in oneself that allows you to accept others.
NA’AU PONO (upright & just) is the way that each member tries to live in order to assure that he/she will be treated with justice.
LE’A LE’A To have a good time; fun; amusement.
MAKA’ALA To be aware; alert; watchful, attend to vigilantly. “E maka’ala mai I ka hana”; “Tend to the Job”
our ethics
The Four Agreements
A way of life that guarantees love & happiness (adapted from the writings and wisdom of Don Miguel Ruiz)
The way we act, the way we play, the way we are…
- Be Impeccable With Your Word
Be honest. Speak with integrity. Say what you mean. Avoid speaking against yourself or others. Use the power of your words to speak truth and love. - Don’t Take Anything Personally
Don’t allow the opinions and actions of others to affect you negatively. Respect everyone’s humanity. What others say and do is their own perception. - Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life. - Always Do Your Best
Your best will change depending on if you’re sick or healthy. Simply always do your best and you’ll love yourself. Respect that others are doing their best for who they are in the moment.
