Koa Finneran

Kailua High School

My name is Koa Finneran.  I am from Waimanalo and I went to Kailua High School.  I grew up in a house without a father.  I have a dad but he is not able to serve as a father figure to me because he has his own issues.  I have struggled with many of my own problems.  In 9th grade I was expelled from Kailua High School for getting caught with weed.  Those four months really set me back. They also gave me time to think.  Drugs were a big part of my community and life.  I am the oldest of four kids.  My single mom does her best to raise us on a part-time job and welfare. This is all I have ever known.

In my sophomore year I walked into a YFC club at lunch time.  I was interested by what they were talking about.  This talk about God got to me.  I decided to become a leader of the YFC club.  One of the YFC staff became my mentor and I began a lifelong journey towards Jesus.  I became president of the club in my Junior year.

I started good  after graduation.  I got a job and enrolled at Windward Community College.  Things were going great. Then things began to fall apart.  I had to quit my job.  I lost my car and eventually stopped going to WCC.  For awhile all I had going was Sandy Beach and hanging out.  This is empty.  I decided to accept an offer to get my life together and serve as an intern with YFC.  There are only two ways out of Waimanalo.  I know that if I am going to make it out of Waimanalo I am going to have to take the right road.  If I make it out it will be because YFC was there for me and someone believed in me.