http://www.teenlinehawaii.org to give Hawaii’s youth access to useful information and resources covering a wide range of youth-related topics. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:38:32 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en   If someone in your family, a friend, or close relative has recently dies, you’re probably feeling some very strong and frightening emotions.  Although you may feel like laughing, crying and screaming all at the same time, you may also be scared and confused by the persistent feelings of anger you ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/when-a-parent-dies-or-is-ill/     Is your life getting to be too much?  Try some of these stress relievers: Take a walk Read Play a game of basketball Meditate Sing karaoke! Go on a drive Play your favorite song really loud! Take pictures Daydream Road trip! Laugh ‘til you cry with friends Hug someone Listen to music Go running Go out for coffee or tea Visit a museum Walk your dog Go to ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/101-ways-to-relieve-stress/ Join the Hawaii State Library 2008 Teen Summer Reading Program! From now until July 12th, teens are encouraged to visit their local public library, read at least one book per week and receive a free reading incentive, while supplies last. Weekly prize drawings will also be held. Teens may also ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/events/teen-summer-reading-program/   During your younger days, you probably got along with your parents.  However, as you’ve grown older, relating to them has become more difficult.  Do you ever feel that although your parents listen to you, they don’t truly hear what you’re saying?  Parents tend to nag about school, your friends, chores, ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/helping-your-parents-hear-you/   If a friend is threatening to commit suicide right now and you’re with them, cautiously remove the drugs, gun or whatever your friend may be considering using from the area.  However, if your friend is holding a loaded gun or a knife, don’t try to take it away.  Calmly ask ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/is-a-friend-thinking-about-suicide/   Coping with any relationship break up can be emotionally painful.  Most people experience these feelings at least once in their life.  Even when a bad relationship ends, a deep pain and loss can be felt.  However, the challenges created by such a difficult loss can be turned into opportunities of ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/how-to-survive-a-break-up/   What’s important about cultural awareness?  What does knowing your culture have to do with knowing yourself?   Culture has an awesome effect on the way we feel, think and act.  It helps us decide what we value and believe, how we communicate, and also what we think of the people and world ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/cultural-awareness-2/ Visit The Candie's Foundation to read up on more facts and statistics on teen pregnancy. candiesfoundation.org/default.html 3 in 10 girls will experience at least one pregnancy before reaching age 20. Each year the federal government alone spends $40 billion to help families that began with a teenage birth. Only 41% of teenage mothers graduate ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/news/750000-teenage-girls-will-become-pregnant-this-year/ By CICERO A. ESTRELLA Special to Metro Honolulu People Farrington High students win environmental prize Project focuses on clean energy The "think globally, act locally" slogan has served the environmental movement well for decades, but Farrington High students have taken it a step further. Farrington High's Dream Team, from back row left: advisor/science ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/news/farrington-high-students-win-environmental-prize/   Buttoning It Up At the Backyard Jam     Date: February 24, 2008 By: Kimberly Frando              Whether it was the smell of the food that brought people in to the Backyard Jam or just the music that was attractive to the ears, the Backyard Jam was the place to be on February 24. From ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/in-your-own-words/your-creations/buttoning-it-up-at-the-backyard-jam-feb-24-2008/ We are looking for dedicated Peer Listeners and Peer Educators to keep us going in the right direction. Peer Listeners Trained Peer Listeners help Hawaii's teens by responding to e-mails and phone calls and by providing useful referrals. Peer Listeners are supervised by the TeenLine Hawaii project coordinator and prevention specialist, ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/get-involved/get-involved/ Here at TeenLine Hawaii we welcome your feedback. Please feel free to contact us at anytime. All calls and emails are confidential! Email: info@teenlinehawaii.org Call or chat: Monday - Friday ~ 2:00p.m – 5:00p.m. Phone: 521-TEEN (Oahu) or toll free 1-877-521-TEEN (Statewide) AIM: hawaii521teen Yahoo: teenlinehawaii MySpace: www.myspace.com/teenlinehawaii TeenLine Hawaii’s aim is to direct teens ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/contact-us/contact-us/ TeenLine Hawaii is an information service created in 1993 to give Hawaii’s youth access to useful information and resources covering a wide range of youth-related topics. Our program focuses on youth with the goal of enhancing their health and well being by: • Empowering teens to help themselves and each other • ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/aboutus/about-test/     What is it you want in  your life?  Do you have a special goal or dream but aren't sure how to achieve it?  Do you know what steps to take to have things turn out the way you want?  Perhaps you feel a lot of confusion about what you want ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/setting-goals/            Although you might feel that putting an end to your life has got to be better than going on with the way things are now, what you really need is someone who cares enough to try to understand how you feel.  But if you’ve reached the point where ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/thinking-about-suicide/        There are times when not telling the whole truth is a good idea.  You wouldn't, for instance, tell a child who's just dressed himself for the first time that his pants and shirt don't match.  You'd stretch the truth a little so you wouldn't hurt the child's feelings or ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/popular-articles/lying/          Tobacco kills 1200 people a day, that’s two jumbo jets filled with men, woman and children. Cigarettes contain thousands of chemicals at least sixty of them are carcinogens. This means that more than sixty of the chemicals which people smoke in cigarettes are known to be deadly. Did you ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/tobacco-facts/           Just saying “NO” is not enough. It’s what comes after the no that is important. Believing in your choices makes it easier to give a reason why you won’t be under the influence of tobacco. Knowing that you are in control will make it easier fore you to say no, even ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/dont-start/                  Do you smoke?! Do you want to kick that awful habit?  Here’s the know how on why you should and how to quit.   Why you should stop smoking.           You ever wonder why you’re coughing a lot or why you can’t breathe after running just a short distance and you ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/kicking-the-habit/           Does someone around you smoke? Do your friends smoke? If so you could be taking in all those deadly chemicals that come out through the smoke.  When you’re around people who smoke you probably think that you’re safe if you don’t smoke, but the awful truth is that you're ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/the-deadly-inhale-of-secondhand-smoke/          If your friend is smoking what do you do? You need to make it clear to them that you don’t like the choices they’ve made and that you think its time for a change.  You may need to explain to them that you do care about them as a friend ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/talking-to-your-peers/   REAL - Hawaii’s Youth Movement Exposing the Lies of the Tobacco Industry   REAL empowers youth across the state to fight against the manipulation of the tobacco industry. REAL has more than 3,600 youth members across the state of Hawaii and is growing everyday. Each teen is provided with gear and is ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/the-real-movement/           I watch her, my mother, sneak around to the back of the house to smoke.  She knows that it is bad for her, but she can’t stop.  She has tried to quit many times.  Yet it never seems to happen.  I remember though, when she would announce that ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/why-i-choose-not-to-smoke/   May is TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION MONTH, and we invite you to get involved by taking this short, informative quiz.  Test your knowledge, and be entered to win a prize! TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION ONLINE QUIZ             http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/in-your-own-words/quizzes-and-games/           Living with a disability can mean extra challenges and difficulties to overcome.  However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t have as much fun or have as many achievements as other people.  Some days it will be frustrating, but living with a disability means being creative with the way you ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/living-with-a-disability/         You may associate exercise with sweat, aches, and tight clothes that announce every bulge.  Maybe you plan on exercising every day but never actually get to it.  The truth is, exercise doesn’t have to be like this.  It’s actually a great stress reliever! Exercise is any type of physical ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/did-you-say-exercise/               Teen diets tend to be high in fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and sugar.  What’s worse, teens often consume less dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals than are needed a day.           During teenage years, many teens have busy social lives filled with friends, school, sports, and after school ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/how-to-eat-right/         Starting at about eight years of age and extending through the teen years, a girl’s body experiences many new and different changes.  These body changes can be exciting, but difficult to understand.  It’s important that you find out more about what’s happening to your body during these times.         ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/growing-up-female-whats-happening-to-my-body/         In today’s world, the topic of sex can seem overwhelming.  Everywhere we look we are bombarded with images and insinuations of sex in movies, advertisements, magazines, music, and everyday conversation.  Growing up and crossing into the world of sex can seem a bit puzzling and nerve-racking at first, but ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/sex-what-is-it/ Life & Relationships Links: SCHOOL AND BEYOND Federal Student Aid Information Center: (800) 433-3243 GEAR UP! Hawaii: (808) 956-3879/(888) 808-4327 VIOLENCE AND ABUSE Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence Action Center: (808) 531-3771 Teen Dating Violence HELP: (808) 841-0822 Rape: Sex Abuse Treatment Center (24 hrs): (808) 524-7273 National Sexual Assault Hotline: (800) 656-HOPE Runaways: Hale Kipa: (808) 589-1829 National Runaway Switchboard: (800) RUNAWAY Homeless Solutions: ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/life-relationships/ Alcohol & Other Drugs Links: Al-Anon/Alateen Support groups for friends and relatives of alcoholics. Oahu: 546-LOIS (5647) Kauai: 246-1116 Maui: 242-0296 Big Island: 935-0971 Website: http://www.afghawaii.org Bobby Benson Center 56-660 Kamehameha Hwy. Kahuku, Hawaii 96731 Phone: (808) 293-7555 or toll-free 877-393-7555 Website: http://www.bobbybenson.org Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii 1130 N. Nimitz Hwy. Ste. A-259 Honolulu, HI 96817 Phone: (808) 545-3228 or toll-free (800) 845-1946 Website: http://drugfreehawaii.org Ku Aloha ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/alcohol-other-drugs/ Physical & Emotional Health Links: SEX Planned Parenthood: (808) 589-1156 STD Hotline: (877) 227-8922 PREGNANCY, PARENTING AND ADOPTION The Parent Line: (808) 526-1222 P.A.T.C.H.: (808) 839-1988 EMOTIONS Suicide and Crisis Center: (808) 521-4555 PHYSICAL HEALTH Kapi`olani Medical Center: (808) 973-8653 North Shore Health Center: (808) 293-9231                 http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/physical-emotional-health/ Check out these sites:           http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/ask-the-expert/for-more-info/for-more-info/ Questions? Comments? Drop us an email! We will do our best to get back to you in 24 hours (48 hours on weekends). If you are experiencing a crisis please call 911! If you need someone to talk to and it’s after 5:00 p.m., call the Hawaii Suicide & Crisis Hotline at (800) 753-6879. *Remember ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/ask-the-expert/talk-to-us/talk-to-us/ http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/in-your-own-words/submit-your-creations/submit-your-creations/   Submit your opinion piece, event summary, art piece, (fill in the blank) to be featured here!   Buttoning it Up at the Backyard Jam  by Kimberly Frando Read about TeenLine Hawaii at the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii's Annual Backyard Jam held at Kapi`olani Park Bandstand on February 24, 2008.             http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/in-your-own-words/your-creations/your-creations/ FEATURED AGENCY: Okay, let’s break it down for you. We're about empowerment. We’re about change. And we are about a healthy, smoke free generation. We are the future and we don’t want half of our generation to die from a smoke filled lie.We just want to tell the REAL TRUTH, the ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/ask-the-expert/featured-agency/featured-agency/ PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH I’m under 18, can I get birth control? What is the difference between sadness and depression? What are blue balls? Does this really happen to guys when they don't have sex? LIFE AND RELATIONSHIPS My parents are getting divorced. What should I do? What are some common warning signs that someone is ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/ask-the-expert/featured-questions/featured-questions/ CALLING ALL TEENS   May is Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month We need your clever ideas for a slogan, logo, or artwork (no larger than 11”x17”) that will address teen pregnancy prevention. Prizes will be awarded: 1st place - $75.00 Borders gift card, 2nd place - $50.00 Macy’s gift card, 3rd place - ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/events/teen-pregnancy-prevention-month-slogan-contest/      One of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do in your life is to figure out who you are and to establish your own identity.   Being compared to other people can many times be considered a compliment, but on other occasions, it can be bothersome.  Statements like, “Why don’t you ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/popular-articles/tired-of-being-compared/               You may find it difficult to accept the fact that one or both of your parents has remarried.  You may still be having a lot of problems coping with your parents’ divorce or the death of one of your parents, and now another big change has occurred.  This article ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/coping-new-stepfamily/   Have you ever asked your parents if you can go somewhere with your friends and their response is “No way.”  And when you ask why, their response is, “Because we say so, that’s why!”  Not being able to do what you want and when you want sometimes seems unfair.  For ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/dealing-with-parents-rules/        How you use alcohol is totally up to you, but there are some things you should know about alcohol and it’s effects on your mood and behavior.  Teen’s bodies are constantly developing, so by drinking alcohol, you’re more at risk for developing a serious drinking problem.  Everyone is different, ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/people-who-have-a-drinking-problem/              It is illegal for anyone under 21 to consume or possess alcohol.  In Hawaii, if a minor purchases or consumes alcohol, they and whoever gave them the alcohol can get into big trouble with the law.  If you are 18 to 21 years of age, you could spend ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/why-21/             There are lots of myths about what drug dependency is and how you get hooked on drugs.   Sometimes people think you can only get hooked on “hard” drugs like crack, heroin or ice but that’s not true.  Any mind-altering drug can be addicting.  This includes alcohol, huffing substances, nicotine ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/drug-dependency/            If you decide not to drink, that’s perfectly cool.  Lots of people don’t like the taste of alcohol and others don’t like the way they act with alcohol.  Some don’t drink because of religious, health or other personal reasons.  Another is because people don’t want to risk getting addicted, ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/ways-to-refuse-alcohol/              Combining alcohol with other drugs is very dangerous.  First, the use or possession of alcohol by people under 21 is against the law, and second it could kill you.  Alcohol is a drug that slows down, or depresses the central nervous system, so it works like a downer on ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/combining-alcohol-and-other-drugs/             Ecstasy is also known as X, Adam, Clarity, Lover’s Speed, Rolls, Green Triangle and bunches of other things.  The official name for Ecstasy is MDMA, which stands for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Long yah?  We’ll just call it Ecstasy).  Ecstasy comes in the form of a tablet or capsule and people ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/alcoholdrugs/ecstasy/   In small doses, stress can be a good thing.  Stress can give you the push you need, motivate you to do your best and help you to stay focused.  For example, stress is what keeps you on your feet during an important presentation or motivates you to keep studying for ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/featured-articles/handling-stress/             The teen years can be rough.  Often you feel stuck somewhere between childhood and adulthood without a clear understanding of who you are and where you belong.  This feeling often has you in conflict with parents and friends.  You might be moody or uptight without any apparent reasons.  We’ll ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/handling-your-anger/            Many people will tell you that the teen years can be the greatest years of your life.  They can be—but they can also be the most challenging time because you’re transitioning from childhood to adulthood in just a few years.  If you sometimes feel down because you’ve got too ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/featured-articles/its-not-easy-being-a-teen/         Feeling down about the way you look can be frustrating!  It affects the way you feel about yourself and the way you relate to others.  We’d like to help by talking about why you may be down on yourself about your looks and what you can do about it.         ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/unhappy-with-the-way-you-look/              If you’re a teen with skin problems, it’s no great comfort to know that almost all the guys and about 80% of the girls your age have the same problem.  Even if everybody in the world had acne, it wouldn’t make you feel better.  At your age, you’re ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/coping-with-your-skin-problems/         “So I dropped a few pounds—what’s all the fuss about?”  You’re probably here because of all the hassling you’re getting from your family and friends.  Maybe after reading this, you can see if their concerns are justified.  If you recognize yourself in this article, it’s really important to get ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/eating-disorders/         Are you underweight and unhappy about it?  We’ll talk about some of the reasons that many young people are underweight and what you can do if the way you look bothers you.       Most girls between the ages of 12 and 14 and boys between the ages of 14 and ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/underweight/         You’re probably here because you’re overweight and unhappy about it.  We’ll talk about some of the causes of being overweight and some ways that might help you in your pursuit to shed some pounds.        Your parents may have tried to make you feel better about your weight by saying ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/popular-articles/overweight/   What is the purpose of your Student Council?  A lot of times we think that Student Councils, also known as student governments or student associations, exist only to plan activities such as homecomings, proms, and spirit weeks.  But in reality, the purpose of your student council is to provide for ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/life-and-relationships/making-a-difference-with-student-council/         Rape drugs, also known as date rape drugs, are substances used to reduce someone’s ability to resist or protect themselves from sexual assault.  Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity that that the victim doesn’t consent to.  This can range from unwanted fondling to rape, and can happen to ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/popular-articles/rape-drugs/           Masturbation.  It’s a subject many people feel uncomfortable talking about.  Masturbation is touching and handling your sex organs in a way that creates pleasurable sexual feelings.  It doesn’t make you sterile or weak.  A lot of these myths are still around even though today we know that masturbation ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/popular-articles/masturbation/        AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; a disease caused by a virus called HIV.  This virus enters a person's body in three ways.  One way is by being born to a mother who is infected with the virus.  The second way is by sharing a needle that has ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/aids/         If you think you have a sexually transmitted disease/infection and you are too ashamed to get medical help you may be tempted not to do anything, hoping your symptoms will go away.  However, sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STD/STIs) are very serious and don't go away on their own.       STD/STIs travel from one ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/sexually-transmitted-diseases-infections/               Your girlfriend has just told you she is pregnant.  The whole thing may seem unbelievable or frightening, or both.  Perhaps you thought, “It can’t happen to me.”  But it has.  And now you’re wondering what to do.        Any unwanted or unplanned pregnancy means a lot of challenges for everyone ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/my-girlfriend-is-pregnant/            Are you wondering about oral sex…what it is, if it’s safe, and so on?  Well, to begin with, oral sex involves any contact between the mouth and vagina, mouth and penis, or mouth and anus.  Oral sex may take place between a male and female, two males or ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/oral-sex/              You may suspect that you’re pregnant because you’ve had sex since your last menstrual period, and you’ve missed a menstrual period.  Here we have listed some of the most common signs of pregnancy.  But they’re not always present.  You could be pregnant and have none of these signs! 1. ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/featured-articles/am-i-pregnant/         If you've decided that you're not ready for sex, it's more than OK to say no.  It's probably the best thing you can do for yourself.  Now that's a pretty heavy statement, considering that our society seems to be fairly open about sex.  Deciding when, where, how, and with ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/abstinence-its-ok-to-say-no/   1.      Surprise him with a home-cooked meal 2.      Give her a massage 3.      Take a walk on the beach 4.      Take silly pictures together 5.      Go for a hike 6.      Read to each other 7.      Write him a poem 8.      Send her random emails 9.      Go surf 10.     Hide love notes where you are sure she will find them 11.     ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/featured-articles/25-things-you-can-do-with-your-boyfriend-or-girlfriend/        If you're looking for an answer to this question, it's a sign that you're well on your way to becoming a mature adult.  It's a difficult question to deal with, and only you can decide what's right and best for you.  We can't give you an easy answer.  But ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/how-far-is-too-far/         If there is a difference between sex and love, why are the two often confused?  Sometimes, when people speak of sexual intercourse they refer to it as "making love."  Or someone may try to pressure you into getting sexually involved by saying, "If you loved me, you'd have sex ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/sex-and-love-is-there-a-difference/          There are a lot of reasons teens feel they are ready for sex.  We'll cover some of these reasons, in addition to some responsibilities that come along with having sex.  Young people can feel they're ready for a variety of reasons.  Here are some you may have heard yourself:          ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/featured-articles/sex-are-you-ready-for-it/         So many new and different things happen to a boy’s body between 12 and 18 that it’s often a confusing and awkward time for guys.  One way to deal with all these changes is to understand what’s happening and why.       If you’re around 12 or 13, you may be ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/physical-and-emotional-health-articles/growing-up-male/ 2050 HI - Sustainable Living in Hawaii - new website, check it out! Check out this new website that's all about sustainable living in Hawaii. Learn ways to live "greener", voice your opinion, look through photos, take a survey, and keep up to date on news and events in our ... http://www.teenlinehawaii.org/news/chris-testing-news/