WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii-- Twenty-three intermediate school students from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Qindao, China met with Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares Friday at the Peace Pole outside the County Building, and later with Council Chair Danny Mateo and Council Member Michael Victorino in the County Council Chambers.

The 13- and 14-year-old students, participating in the Yew Chung Education Foundation's "World Classroom," gave speeches in English, performed cultural dances and modeled traditional men's and women's wear. While on-island, they took classes at the Maui Language Institute and studied Maui's history, culture and environment through sightseeing activities and visits to Sun Yat Sen Park in Kula, Haleakala Crater and Lahaina town.

This is the first time the school has come to Maui and according to Stephanie Ohigashi, trip facilitator, school officials have already decided to make this study tour an annual visit. "They just loved the island's natural beauty and the warmth of the people they met," Ohigashi noted.