My name is Dawn Dela Cruz. I am 15 years old and I am in the 10th grade. I like to go shopping, watching movies, going to the beach and eat lots of food. I also like to play sports.

To me, “coming of age” means that my parents trust me and I’m capable to do whatever, now that they trust me.

I am 16 years old and currently a junior at Moanalua High School. During my free time, I like getting out of the house and breathing fresh air. I enjoy staying active by running around, shooting things, jumping, rappelling, surfing, swimming, fighting, and just about anything active even though I might not be good at it. The thing I love doing the most in life is watching movies. I watch almost anything that comes out. Currently, my goal is to become a movie director. To me, a movie is the best way of portraying what you feel using most of the senses possible. All other types of media have limited effects on your emotions, so the feeling you get will vary from each viewer. Movies are my life because one can show everybody almost exactly what you are like.

“Coming of age” is the time in your life when you realize what the point of your life is. You no longer require the guidance of others and from that point on, you take full control of your life and guide yourself to doing what you feel best portrays your own life.

My name is John Lee. I am 17 years old and I am a senior. I like to draw and my interest is art. I am going to graduate high school this year. Coming of age is hard for me because I need to really think about my future and what I really want to do.

I am a 16 year old junior at Moanalua High School. I was very talented as an artist as a child...mostly. Throughout elementary and middle school I took art classes. But art is not all that I am good at...like any average teenage boy I am good at playing videogames and finding excuses for not doing my school work.

To me, "coming of age" is the moment you realize the fact that there is a world beyong the sheltering school walls and your room. It also means the moment when you begin to plan, to think about what you'll be doing to carve out an existence in the real world.

I am 16 years old and my hobbies include photography, bodyboarding, painting, and driving. My future goal is to become a professional photographer.

“Coming of age” means to me a new life…good or bad…and development

My name is Kaleinani Kabalis. I am 15 years old. I like to play volleyball, go bodyboarding, draw, write poems and read for fun. I am in the 10th grade. I want to be a veterinarian because I love animals. I was born and raised on the Big Island in Hilo and moved to Honolulu to live with my grandparents and play volleyball.

“Coming of age” means to me that growing older makes you smarter and wiser.

I believe that “Coming of Age” means finding who you are amongst all the complicating, confusing and sometimes unnecessary obstacles the world or yourself put in the way of accomplishing achievement and success.

We all view the world differently and may see certain situations in another perspective, but as long as we accept reality as it is, we will eventually see ourselves and understand why those many obstacles whether good or bad, pushed us in the direction of finding who we are.

My name is Nicole Fujiuchi and I’m 16 years old as a senior attending Moanalua High School. I am in directive studies in art and in Japanese 5, both of which I enjoy. I am the treasurer of the Japanese Club and take karate as my extracurricular activity.

To me, “coming of age” means entering adulthood where you will gain nearly total independence and responsibility. It’s to live on your own and taking responsibility for yourself, not necessarily having your own job, but at the point where you go to college and control your money responsibly and making well-thought out decisions.

My name is Stephanie Wong. I am 17 years old and a senior at Moanalua High School. I like to draw and play videogames in my spare time. In my future I would like to major in cosmetology.

To me, “coming of age” is that point in life where you are sometimes forced to undertake a great challenge, one that tests how much you can handle. Sometimes it comes in a form of death of a family member, disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, or a tragedy such as rape and abuse. “Coming of age” when you’re suddenly required to be mature. I don’t think it is the same as just growing up and getting a job. “Coming of age” is more of a sudden shock or realization that you’re not a kid anymore.

I am 17 years old and a senior at Moanalua High School. My hobbies and interests are running, art and reading. My future plans are to attend college and pursue my major in International Relations.

“Coming of age” means when a girl or boy achieves a mature state of living and seeing the ways of life. When a girl reaches this state, she turns 16. A party is held in celebration of this achievement. It is usually called “sweet sixteen.” When a boy reaches this state, he turns 21. A party or a little celebration to celebrate the achievement. He is usually given a big present. Besides all the celebrations, he or she also thinks in a more mature manner compared to a pre-teens.

I am a 16 year old junior at Moanalua High School. My hobbies include scrapbooking, dancing, hanging with friends and shopping. I want to become a teacher. My favorite color is pink and my favorite food is steak. I dislike vegetables.

"Coming of Age" means showing a stage of maturing, getting older in years and knowledge expanding. As you get older you get smarter and have more common sense. Getting older means more responsibility like driving or getting into college. Coming of age means the responsibility of getting good grades, choosing which school you want to attend, researching and applying to the college of your choice. With driving, no one can protect you except yourself. Coming of age means taking care of yourself and driving smart.

My name is Jennifer Estores. I am 15 years old and am a sophomore. Some of my hobbies are drawing, writing, going to the mall, eating, sleeping and playing softball. In my free time I like to shop, go to the beach, spend time with my friends and family, sleep, go to the mall and spend all of my money and just hang out.

To me, “coming of age” is when you can be independent and not have to rely on your parents to do everything for you. I feel that when you become dependent on yourself to fulfill your needs, and can support yourself on your own two feet alone, then that is your time of coming of age. Coming of age to me is when you become mature enough to take care of yourself and make your own decisions in life about your future without needing someone to hold your hand and guide you through.

My name is Amber Mathews and I’m 16 years old. I like to bellydance, listen to music and mess around on the computer. I’m a sophomore in high school and I plan to become an interior designer. I’m the oldest of two children in my family. I was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Crawfordsville, Indiana.

There are many different “comings of age” that happen at different times in our lives. A girl’s first few coming of ages happens between 4th and 6th grade. She begins to shave her legs and arms, starts to wear deodorant and bras, and starts her period. A boy’s first few comings of age happens around the same time. He starts to wear deodorant and become sexually curious. The next coming of age, for both boys and girls, happens between 15 and 16. This is when you begin to drive. The first time you have sex is another coming of age. The age for this varies, sometimes greatly, between individuals. Another coming of age is when you turn 18. You are now free of your parents and allowed to vote. Turning 21 is a big coming of age. You’re legal in all ways once you’ve turned 21. After 21, menopause is the next, and last, coming of age for women. 21 seems to be the last for men.