U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda met with Punahou students for a lunch and talk story on Oct. 2, discussing issues ranging from Hawaiʻi’s high cost of living and artificial intelligence to civic engagement and the importance of finding trustworthy information.
Tokuda, who represents Hawaiʻi’s Second Congressional District, said affordability remains one of her greatest concerns, particularly for young people who may question whether they can build a future in Hawaiʻi. She encouraged students to make their voices heard on issues that will shape their generation.
“We should proactively seek out your opinion before, not after,” Tokuda told students, sharing her plans to establish a youth advisory panel for her congressional office.
During a wide-ranging Q&A session, students asked about artificial intelligence, political accountability, affordable housing, Hawaiʻi’s relationship with the federal government and ways young people can become more involved in their communities.
On AI, Tokuda emphasized the need for safeguards, human oversight and systems that can verify information. She also spoke about the broader challenge of misinformation and encouraged students to engage with one another in person and think critically about what they encounter online.
For students interested in civic engagement, Tokuda encouraged them to start with their own interests – whether through a school club, student government, volunteering or a community organization.
“Nothing is too small,” she said. “We want to hear from you.”
Tokuda closed with advice for students about embracing setbacks as part of growth.
“Don’t be perfect and don’t be afraid to fail,” she said. “You learn so much from failure. You just get up and learn from it, and it pushes you.”
