by Jon Cho, Senior Program Executive Director, Atherton YMCA
At some point, many parents notice a shift. Conversations get shorter. Doors close more often. Your child starts looking outward toward friends and independence, even as they still need guidance and reassurance. The teen years can feel unfamiliar, filled with growth and possibility, but also uncertainty.
This stage of life is complicated for teens and parents alike. Adolescents are figuring out who they are, where they belong, and what comes next. They are learning to balance independence with a need for connection and confidence with self-doubt. It is a time when trusted places beyond home and school can make a real difference.
For more than a century, the YMCA of Honolulu has been one of those places.
Continuing the YMCA History of Service
More than 100 years ago, long before social media or smartphones, teens in Hawaii were already gathering after school through YMCA Hi-Y Clubs to build friendships, confidence, and leadership. Beginning in 1918 at McKinley High School and expanding to campuses like Punahou, Kamehameha Schools, and Mid-Pacific Institute, Hi-Y clubs brought teens together across racial, religious, and economic lines. They met regularly, shared meals, talked story, and built friendships that often lasted a lifetime.
These early programs were never just about filling time after school. They were about connection. For many teens, the YMCA became a place where they felt included during years that could otherwise feel isolating. Camps and conferences offered space to step away from daily routines, try new roles, and gain confidence alongside peers.
That belief in teen voice and leadership continued to grow. In 1950, YMCA teens in Hawaii helped launch Youth & Government, a program that continues today and invites students to step into the roles of lawmakers, debate real issues, and practice civic engagement. For many participants, it was the first time adults listened seriously to their ideas. U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono reflected on her own experience as a Youth & Government teen delegate in the 1960s, describing it as an eye-opening moment that helped her see herself as someone who could lead and make change.
YMCA Looking Ahead
The YMCA’s vision for teens also extended beyond our island. Through programs such as the Hiroshima Student Exchange, local teens have traveled, learned, and built relationships with peers across cultures. These experiences connect teens to a broader world and understanding global citizenship in a personal and meaningful way.
While the world teens are growing up in today looks different, their needs remain familiar. Today’s YMCA teen programs continue to offer consistent, supervised spaces where teens can connect with peers, decompress outside of school hours, and build confidence with the support of caring adults. From Y Teen Club Afterschool to Youth & Government, leadership programs, school break camps, junior leadership opportunities, and college and career exploration, today’s programs are designed to support teens through both challenge and possibility.
Supporting Hawaii’s Youth
For some youth, the YMCA provides a positive alternative during times of risk or instability through substance abuse prevention and treatment programs offered in middle and high schools across Oahu and neighboring islands. For others, it opens doors to opportunities they may not have imagined for themselves, such as College Camp and leadership pathways. What remains constant is the focus on belonging, guidance, and believing in teens even when they are still finding their footing.
For many families, there is another meaningful thread. Teens do not suddenly appear at thirteen. They grow into who they become. Many of the teens participating in YMCA programs today are the same keiki parents once dropped off at YMCA preschools, A+ Afterschool programs, school break day camps, or Camp Erdman. They learned to swim at the Y. They made early friendships there. Over time, the YMCA became a familiar place that grew with them as their needs changed.
The YMCA is a place that walks alongside children and families through many seasons of life. For parents of younger keiki, it can be comforting to know that when the questions get bigger and the path forward feels less clear, there will still be a place where their child is known and supported.
Investing in Our Teens
Today, there is growing recognition across our community that teen years matter deeply. Thanks to a generous Teen Fund grant and shared investment in youth development, participation in YMCA Y Teen Club Afterschool and school break programs is free. Additional teen programs, including Youth & Government and select school break experiences, are also offered at no cost to families.
These programs exist because teens deserve access to safe spaces, strong relationships, and opportunities to grow, regardless of circumstance. Families interested in learning more about YMCA teen programs can visit ymcahonolulu.org.
