Mahealani Sims Tulba Named 2018 Hawaii's Top Youth Volunteer

B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii: https://www.bravehawaii.org/

Congratulations Mahealani Sims Tulba, ’18, on being named one of Hawaii’s top two youth volunteers of 2018 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism! As a Hawaii State Honoree Mahea will receive $1,000, an engraved silver medallion and an all-expense-paid trip in April to Washington, DC, where she will join the top two honorees from each of the other states and the District of Columbia for four days of national recognition events.

Mahea created a nonprofit foundation, B.R.A.V.E. Hawaii, to communicate about the problem of bullying of students throughout Hawaii. After Mahealani experienced firsthand the destructive power of bullying in the fifth grade, she wrote a book about it and began using the book as a tool to reach out to other young people. 

"I realized that there are many others in the same situation as me. I wanted to spread my message of positivity, encouragement, kindness and respect for others." -Mahealani Sims Tulba, '18

Mahea formed her foundation and then started asking schools and libraries if she could come and read to their kids and talk about bullying. On these visits, she distributes copies of her book, "It's Okay to Be Different," along with silicon bracelets, and sometimes brings along her mascot Buddy the Bulldog.

Mahealani has spoken in front of thousands of elementary, middle level and high school students statewide, and participated in numerous community events to make both youngsters and parents aware of bullying issues. She has also created a music video on the subject, appeared on a weekly television program, and conducted an annual toy drive for children in need. By her count, Mahea's "B.R.A.V.E." campaign (which stands for "Be Respectful and Value Everyone") has so far reached more than 40,000 students across Hawaii.

Way to go Mahea! We look forward to supporting you as you compete to be recognized at the National level of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards in Washington, DC, this April!


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