Thousand teens
look to future

Delegates and activists from
more than 100 countries will be
in Hawaii to set the Top 10
priorities for youths
worldwide

By Treena Shapiro
Star-Bulletin

Thirteen-year-old Dhruv Malhotra has spent the past three months discussing priorities for the 21st century in his home country, India.

Yesterday, Malhotra arrived in Hawaii armed with an action proposal to present at the Millennium Young People's Congress, which is set to convene at the state Capitol Monday morning. The proposal addresses one of his country's top priorities, pollution control.

"There's a lot of paper wasted," he explained. "Lots and lots of paper."

So Malhotra came up with a plan for a mini paper-recycling plant for schools and colleges. The plant can recycle up to 33 pounds of paper a day. Malhotra hopes he will receive funding for his project from the Millennium Action Fund, to be established after the conference.

Malhotra is one of about 1,000 teen-agers who will be participating in the youth congress, which will move to the Hawaii Convention Center on Wednesday and conclude Friday. It is endorsed by the United Nations and was organized by Peace Child International, a London-based educational charity, and the Hawaii-based Youth for Environmental Services.

Delegates and activists will represent 103 countries, and 250 Hawaii teens have volunteered to be youth stewards. The goal for participants is to set the Top 10 priorities for young people around the world. Key concerns are global sustainability, human rights and peace.

Housing in the future is one of the priorities. Most of the conference attendees will be staying with Hawaii host families or in Barbers Point housing, but 30 will be spending the week in an "eco-camp" built by University of Hawaii architecture students at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens.

The students were assigned to build structures that were environmentally friendly, could be quickly assembled and were comfortable.

"We wanted structures that didn't require major grading changes to the landscape and utilized low-tech or recycled materials," said Amy Anderson, the associate professor of architecture teaching the studio class.

The results include a soda-can shingled roof, bunk beds made from old sails and a mobile performing stage.

One of the unique features of the conference is that it has been directed and run by young people. Alexander Woollcombe, 18, came here from England three months ago to help organize the event. His father David is president of Peace Child International.

Woollcombe said organizers wanted the conference to be different, so participants will be planting a 1-acre Millennium Peace Garden on the slopes of Diamond Head.

"It's a sort of lasting legacy for the people of Hawaii to remember and see what this conference was about," he said.

Teen-agers, under the supervision of Youth for Environmental Service, will install an irrigation system on Saturday and plant a number of dryland plants native to Hawaii.

The project's theme is Hawaiian ecosystem restoration.

The garden will be formally dedicated on Sunday.

MILLENNIUM YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONGRESS Millennium Young People's Congress public events Tomorrow The Millennium Youth Concert: Kalai Miller of Baywatch Hawaii and Destination Stardom will host a concert featuring performers Hula Halau Na 'Ohana O Ke Anuenue, Slovakian Dance Troupe, Azerbaijan Dance Troupe, Stir Crazy, Imua, Na Wai Ho'olu'u O Ke Anuenue, Ben Vegas & Brother 2 Brother, Kapena, Brother Noland and Dita Holifield. On the beach fronting the Hilton Hawaiian Village, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $15 for adults, children 12 and under free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets Plus (526-4400) and at military MWR ITT locations. Call 676-1828 for more information. Sunday Open House at Eco-Village: Begins at 10:30 a.m., blessing and opening ceremony at 11 a.m. Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. Free. Call 233-7323 for information. Peace Garden Dedication: 1 p.m. on Diamond Head Road across from the Bark Park. For more information call Youth for Environmental Services at 944-9937. Monday Opening Gala: Former Miss Universe Brook Lee will host youth performances, joined by LeVar Burton of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and "Reading Rainbow," and Raven Symone from "Dr. Doolittle" and "The Cosby Show." Hilton Hawaiian Village, 5 to 9:30 p.m. Cost is $35 per person for dinner and show. Call 597-1952 for information. Friday Final night dinner and show, "Voices of Hope": International and local youth will perform in a musical produced by Dixie Belcher and Broadway performer Francis Ruivivar. A dance and candlelight ceremony will follow. Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel Ballroom, 6 p.m. Companies or individuals may host a local youth for $50 or buy a table for $500. Call Cynthia at 597-8349 for reservations and information.