Working with FBI-SA Arnold Laanui, students identified a community outreach opportunity where the students would take the lead in developing a state-wide, peer-oriented, anti-bullying campaign. As part of its program lessons, Waipahu freshman collaborated on a marketing and campaign strategy that would best target their peers and other teens across Hawaii. With the assistance of Waipahu Senior Des
Mateo, social media expert, David Chatsuthiphan, and graphic designer David Amodo, students collaborated on an online strategy that would direct students to a variety of social media site where peers could be informed about the realities and risks of bullying. With competing slogans and taglines developed exclusively by the students – the campaign name HUG A BULLY was selected. Subsequent collaboration with Waipahu Senior, Des Mateo, then helped to actualize the student’s vision into a logo that would find its way onto photos and videos that will populate social media sites. The deliberate design of the logo reflect lessons taught in the program by emphasizing that every student has the ability to engage their friends, their school and their community through the choices they make. The design also invites viewers to visit a website currently under construction at tumblr.com and facebook.com, where additional facts, photos and resources about bullying can be found. Presently, the program is preparing a series of social "pranks" to bring awareness to their message of peace, anti-violence and anti-bullying. Students will be launching this campaign before the end of May, 2012. Further inquiries regarding the HUG A BULLY campaign can be directed to Special Agent Arnold Laanui, Jr., FBI Honolulu, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite #4-230, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96850, telephone (808) 566-4300.
