Riding the Waves of Life

A mentorship program for high school & middle school girls to teach them how to ride the waves of life with more confidence and connection.

Our philosophy on confidence

We believe everyone has the right to be authentically themselves in this world. But let's be real, that's hard to do. We all want to fit in, feel heard, and feel valued. So it's easy to put on a mask and pretend to be someone we're not. And that digs at our confidence, having to hide our true selves just to feel accepted.

I've been through plenty of challenging experiences that taught me things I wish I'd known sooner. My hope is to take that wisdom and pass it on, being a guide for young women as they develop their own sense of confidence.

Our philosophy isn't to lecture girls into confidence. It's to help them arrive at it themselves, through shared experiences and honest conversation. This is a space where girls feel safe to be who they are, not who society or anyone else wants them to be—an invitation to be silly, candid, and real with me and with each other. Most importantly, we want them to have fun, and to feel truly connected: to themselves, to each other, and to the world around them.

Next Riding the Waves of Life Event

Saturday, September 12, 19 and October 3 from 10am-12pm for Grades 5-8 (Ages 10-14)

  • Meaningful conversations, a group of young women with shared interests, and fun!

  • Depending on the day, it will require different things. I will send a text beforehand of what you need each day 🫶

  • Registration is open until Wednesday, September 9th.

    There is a $50 registration fee. If this fee poses a barrier to you joining, please reach out to Alyssa to find a solution together.

  • If there is an incoming storm and the weather is not suitable for the proposed activity, we will either pivot activities or postpone to another day.

Register here!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Whether it’s drinking matcha, going shelling, lei making, or a day on the boat, I like to do activities that accommodates to different interests and activity levels. However, what strings everything together is that every activity I curate involves meaningful conversation, nature, and fun.

  • There is a $15–50 registration fee (activity dependent), which is non-refundable within 48 hours of the activity's start. This fee covers administrative costs and helps ensure that those who register actually show up.

    Thanks to generous donors, we are able to offer the programs for a lot less than the cost to operate the programs.

  • Yes! We want this to be accessible to everyone, so if the registration fee is a barrier to you joining the program, please reach out to Alyssa (alyssa@kahakukahi.org or 203-524-8756).

  • Riding the Waves of Life was created by Alyssa Kuwana and is supported by Kahakukahi Ocean Academy (KOA).

    Besides running the operations at KOA, Alyssa coaches and mentors women of all ages. To learn more about her, visit her website here.

  • Nope! We are starting a middle school version for grades 5-8, ages 10-14 in September. Please stay tuned for more events for both middle and high schoolers.

  • Follow us on Instagram @kahakukahi and @alyssakuwana to find out when we’re having more events