For this issue, we talked story with Kelli-Rose Simmons, an alumnus from Youth Tour 2005. Kelli-Rose is from Wailua and graduated from Island School. She graduated from Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in political science and a minor in communications and studio art. Kelli-Rose lives in Prattville, Alabama, with her ʻohana.

Aloha, Kelli-Rose. What’s your favorite memory from Youth Tour?

Meeting all the different kids who were there, I loved collecting the pins from different delegates and states. They’re still in my parents’ house. Meeting all of these people who were in the same stage of life from different places across the U.S. Growing up in Hawaiʻi we have a melting pot, but we’re the same small-town upbringing. Going to meet people from across the people and their experiences, different yet the same, was a cool experience.

I’ve always been into politics, my family has always been involved in it. Washington, D.C., has always inspired me, and Youth Tour further stimulated my interest. I loved learning how a bill becomes a law, starting with community input and the entire process. Kansas State House and learning about how their process worked and how it was similar to Hawaiʻi’s Same outline of the process.

Tell us about your path after graduation.

After graduation, I moved to Oʻahu and worked for State Sen. Roz Baker, Maui, as committee clerk for five years. I met my husband, Justin, who is in the Air Force, when he was stationed at Wheeler, and we got married in 2014. In 2017, we had our daughter Isabella and moved to Japan at Yokota Air Base, where he was stationed for three years.

I loved living in Japan, it was amazing. It’s a very accessible country and very family-friendly. Coming from Hawaiʻi, some things you just understand, like not wearing shoes in the house, you respect your elders and take care of your community, omiyage gifts. The food is an easy adjustment.

From Japan we moved to New Jersey. I volunteered for Brookline Lab Rescue, and we fostered a lab there. I also work part-time as a senior project manager for Merriman River Group, an election management group. I like encouraging democracy at all levels. The first step is voting. If you don’t have a free and fair election, you don’t have much.

In August 2023, we welcomed our daughter Harper. Last year, in July 2024, Justin started a master’s program in Alabama. Later this year, we will be moving to Washington, D.C.. We do miss Hawaiʻi and hope we’ll get back someday.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My daughters are now 8 and almost 2, so I don’t have a lot of free time, but I love to cook and bake. I also knit, which I learned when we were living in Japan. I still volunteer at the lab rescue organization and manage intake for new volunteers and fosters.

Which of KIUC’s Hoʻokaʻana Waiwai shared values most resonate with you?

Kuleana and Kupono are values I hold very dear. As a mom, I find myself teaching those values to my children so they understand we do what we can to help others. That’s so important as an individual and as a community.