When Lisa Kam was in the sixth grade, she and her older cousins Mark Flores and Xavier Imperial decided they needed to do something to save the environment.
In classic TV Land, this would have been the cue for someone — wake up, Marsha! — to organize a party, a picket, a talent show.
In the world of the modern Millennial, however, the solution was eminently more efficacious.
They started a nonprofit.
“We just wanted to raise money for projects,” Kam said matter-of-factly.
Initially led by Flores and Imperial, PITCH (Projects Inspired by Teens Changing Hawaii) has promoted responsible stewardship of the earth through a variety of projects, from a bottle cap recycling campaign to an incandescent-to-CFL light bulb exchange program. More recently they’ve expanded their focus to include food sustainability.
Kam, a junior at Maryknoll School, serves as chairwoman of the organization, continuing her cousins’ commitment to community service and environmental activism.
Under her watch, PITCH raised $2,500 for the Children’s Miracle Network at Kapiolani Medical Center.
Kam credits her parents with instilling in her a sense of community responsibility, a value nurtured by many hours of volunteer work for local Chinese clubs and societies.
She continues to volunteer her with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Dragon Boat Festival and the See Dai Doo Society, and serves as president of the Chinese Club at Maryknoll.
In addition, she has previously taught English to Chinese exchange students at the school’s Advantage Summer Camp and to students at Shanghai Jin Yuan Senior High School in China.
For the past two years, Kam has been recognized with the President’s Volunteer Service Award (gold), which is given to students who have completed more than 250 service hours.
For her voluminous volunteer efforts, Kam will be honored with a $10,000 scholarship at the 18th Annual Kekumano Award and Scholarship Dinner.
In addition to her community work, Kam is active in her school’s speech team and its National Honor Society.
She is also a talented ballet dancer (she’ll be performing at the Movement Center’s “Night at the Ballet” event at Mamiya Theatre this summer) and viola player.
With college on the horizon, Kam has her sights set on becoming a physical therapist, a profession that speaks to her core values.
“I always try to be true to myself and to always help others,” Kam said.
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
