Aloha kakou and good afternoon. Youth Challenge graduates, parents, friends, National Guard officials, program instructors, and distinguished guests, it is my great pleasure to join you during this joyous holiday season. I wish all of you Mele Kalikimaka, a very Merry Christmas, and Hauoli Makahiki Hou, Happy New Year.

First and foremost, congratulations to our graduates. I commend all of you on a job well-done! This is the third year that I have had the privilege of speaking to Youth Challenge graduates and sharing a few words of encouragement and advice as you successfully complete this rigorous program and prepare for new challenges. I am pleased that today I am speaking to the largest graduation class in the brief, but impressive, history of the Youth Challenge Program.

Thank you Major Nishikawa [Deputy Director of the program] for that gracious introduction. Mahalo and congratulations to you; Colonel Robert Watanabe, director of the Youth Challenge Program; General Rick Richardson; the members of the Hawaii National Guard who participate in this outstanding program; and the instructors and staff at Youth Challenge.

You share in the success and accomplishments of our Youth Challenge graduates and your service to our community is appreciated.

I also want to welcome Mr. Daniel Donohoe to Hawaii. Mr. Donohoe is with the National Guard Bureau and started the first Youth Challenge Program. E komo mai, welcome, Mr. Donohoe.

Mahalo nui loa to all our Youth Challenge staff and mentors!

This summer, in August, I had the opportunity to visit the corps members at Barbers Point. I visited classrooms, participated in a Government and Law class, and witnessed a drill competition. In a little talk with the corps before the competition, I told you all how very proud I am of all of you. Today, I am even more proud and honored to share this special day with you.

It is a privilege to be here this afternoon, to see the culmination, the fulfillment, of your long journey. Having seen you in action and observed how you work with each other, I can attest to how the choices you made and the responsibility you accepted are making a positive difference in your lives.

You have worked hard, overcame adversity, and blossomed as responsible young men and women. Choice and responsibility. I keep coming back to these two words. I repeat them because to me they represent the difference between an adolescent and an adult.

Graduates, through this program you have demonstrated the strength and courage to grow and mature into young adults. You have the basic tools and confidence to continue a lifetime of learning, sharing, and contributing to your community.

When you first accepted this challenge, some of you may have questioned if you would survive the first day. But you buckled down and accepted the task at hand. By your actions, you have earned the respect and recognition of your family, friends, instructors, counselors, and mentors.

Your graduation this afternoon is a new beginning. Whether you enter the workforce, enlist in the military, continue in school, or enroll in college or vocational college, seize and master the assignment at hand with the same motivation, discipline, and confidence that saw you through the Youth Challenge experience. I encourage each of you to continue your commitment to excellence.

You succeeded in Youth Challenge despite many obstacles and hurdles, and even greater success is now within your reach.

You are stronger and wiser for your participation in the Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Program, and our community is better for it. I also want you to remember that we are fortunate to live in a special place, and I feel that with all my heart. Our beloved home, Hawaii, is that special place. A place known for the aloha spirit. Aloha is very, very important because the basic meaning of aloha is love. And love is the spirit that brings together things that are separated. And if there is no love, you do not bring things together. And so this is very important to you, your families, our community, and our country. Don't forget that the meaning of aloha has to be transmitted to others, and aloha really is in the giving, not the taking. When you give, you are sharing aloha.

We wish for you a future of achievement and happiness. Hold your heads high and keep up the good work. Malama pono and God Bless You!