Hawaii YIP Blasts Off: Fueling Dreams, Igniting Futures

Aloha Dreamers and Dream Makers—

The Youth Impact Program at the University of Hawai‘i has taken off with explosive energy and inspiration! Our Boys YIP launched into its first full week with unforgettable moments, powerful mentors, and a community committed to turning dreams into reality.

On Wednesday, June 18, world-renowned ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro inspired our youth not just with music, but with a message of relentless passion and perseverance. With ukulele in hand, he shared his journey of staying true to his unique sound in the face of cultural pressure and technological challenges. He reminded our dreamers that chasing your passion with heart and grit is what transforms vision into reality.

Then on Friday, June 20, our founder Riki Ellison delivered a powerful keynote that left the boys believing in their limitless potential. Drawing on his NFL legacy and his groundbreaking work in missile defense, Riki shared the philosophy that “dreaming is manifestation.” He laid out four pillars to achieve greatness:

• Complete belief (showing up 110% daily)
• Courage to face and conquer fear
• True grit to persevere through adversity
• Surrounding yourself with winners, because energy is contagious and invincibility is a mindset.

He urged the boys to live by “W.I.N. – What’s Important Now,” encouraging them to prioritize their dreams each and every day.

And this Monday, we literally launched into the week with rocket building! Dreamers paired with mentors to design, build, and prepare rockets for takeoff—bringing STEM learning to life with hands-on teamwork, imagination, and joy. The excitement was electric as the boys began to connect classroom concepts with real-world creativity.

This is more than a summer program—it’s a launchpad for young minds, hearts, and futures. And we’re just getting started.

To every dreamer in the room and every dream maker standing beside them: The sky isn’t the limit. It’s just the beginning.