This was delivered as a speech at a recent GRIH Calabash Breakfast.

I’m 14 years old and I love politics! I have often been told that I'm far too opinionated for someone of my age, but I've found a good outlet for my many opinions in Generation Joshua. Like everyone else in GenJ (as we call it), I am homeschooled.

I have also gone to public school and several private schools, but being homeschooled has presented many more amazing opportunities for me, among them the chance of being on a debate team for a year, which is where I met Ryan McDonald, who happens to be the president of this club. After the year was over, Ryan e-mailed me about a civics club he was starting, the first one of its kind in the Islands. Naturally I was interested in joining, so I proceeded to do so. It immediately opened doors to field trips and other interesting things to do.

When the campaign season began, it really started heating up. The first activity I did was a voter registration drive at the Aloha Stadium. I had so much fun. However, since we were there as an unbiased organization registering voters, we could not say which candidate we supported. I had a particularly hard time with this.

I’ll always remember when a tall man walked up behind me and one of my friends who was talking to me, pointed and said, "Look Hannah. It’s Mufi". I didn’t understand a word she said, but as I turned around I recognized Mayor Mufi Hanneman! He bent down, shook all our hands, and thanked us for helping our community. The first thing I said to my friend was, "He’s a lot taller in person!" (However I must add that only his height impressed me.)

The second, and one of the most memorable events I volunteered for, was my first sign waving, for Senator Gordon Trimble. Even though it was a local election, it was my first taste of a real campaign activity and I loved every minute of it. Following this, I attended the second GenJ McCain/Palin sign waving at the State Capital. As with all of these events, it was extremely fun. The response we got was pretty even, with enthusiasts on both sides. This was one of the louder more boisterous events, whereas, when we worked for the Anne Stevens campaign writing postcards at the GOP headquarters, it was a good deal quieter. Phone banking was quite a fascinating though rather nerve-wracking experience: worrying about people saying no, getting annoyed, and if they did give you the time of day, worrying about saying everything correctly. I now know the components of successful phone banking get together: kids, highlighters, laughter, and pizza. In the end, we emerged with some good laughs and interesting stories. One woman told a club member that she would go vote the next day, and another pretended to be an answering machine.

On Election Day, three friends and I were up bright and early at 6:00 a.m. We rode downtown to Jeri Jeffryes' district and sign waved for her, then proceeded to the McCain headquarters for phone banking to get people to the polls to vote. I received the privilege of calling the Governor’s residence; however she didn’t answer because she was in Washington, D.C.

Recently, we went on a trip to Honolulu Hale, and watched the City Council as they listened to bills and went through their meeting. The City Council then gave us a peek into city level government. In the near future, I hope to write a testimony on a bill and then testify at the legislature. I've also been presented with the incredible opportunity to intern at Governor Lingle’s office.

The whole time I've been a member at GenJ, I've had so much fun, made many friends, and gained a great deal of knowledge that will help me in the future, as I plan to go into politics when I get older. And, in hearing this, I hope you'll take comfort in knowing that one day, the future of this country will be determined by the kids of this generation, and if they are as upright and involved as citizens as are my fellow members, I have a feeling that this great nation has a bright future ahead of it. I feel blessed to be in this group and to know that no matter your age, you can always make a difference!

-GIR-

For more information, please visit www.generationjoshua.org.