WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye Daniel K. Akaka today announced the appointment of Daniel Evans and Gavin Maeda as the Hawaii delegates to the 37th Annual United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C., where they will participate in an intensive one-week study of the federal government and in particular, the United States Senate.

Daniel Evans, a resident of Laie, is the Hawaii State Student Council Chairperson at Kahuku High School. In addition, Daniel is the Debate and Speech Club Captain, Vice President of the National Honor Society, and an Executive Board Member of the Parent-Teach-Student Organization. He was selected as the outstanding delegate to the Mock United Nations and was World Leadership Representative to the Hugh O'Brien Youth Foundation. Daniel enjoys reading and surfing and hopes to eventually work in government service.

Gavin Maeda, a resident of Captain Cook, attends Konawaena High School, where he is Senate President. Gavin is also involved in many educational an civic organizations. He is a member of the School/Community-Based Management Council, Chair of the school's Senate By-Laws/Policies Committee and the Teacher Involvement Chair of the Accreditation Study. He has been active in various political campaigns and served as an election precinct official. He enjoys reading, tennis and writing and plans to attend law school. Gavin hopes to open his own criminal defense firm.

Chosen as alternates to the 1999 program were Albert Ching, a resident of Honolulu, who attends Iolani School and Sarah Lautaha, who resides in Laie and attends Kahuku High School.

"Senator Akaka and I are very pleased that these two outstanding students will be participating in this program. We are confident that Daniel and Gavin will represent Hawaii well. We hope that this experience will enable them to better understand the federal government and the political process," stated Senator Inouye.

The United States Senate Youth Program is made possible by a grant from the William Randolph Hearst Foundation. In addition to the one week all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., each of the 104 student delegates in the program will receive a $2,000 college scholarship to be used at the college or university of their choice. The United States Senate Youth Program will take place from February 27 - March 6, 1999.