PUKALANI – There’s a new club on the block.

Allies for Equality, A4E for short, made its first appearance during club signups at lunch on August 28 in front of the counseling center. This new high school club celebrates the diversity of students.

On Wednesday, 98 students signed up to be a part of A4E.

“[Founder Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s] life’s contribution is a legacy of kindness, compassion, acceptance and service to others.  We are honored to follow in the footsteps of our Founder, to engage in generative discussions and activities that foster an environment of enduring aloha, acceptance and acts of humble service to others,” club advisor and K-12 outreach counselor Aunty Venus Rosete-Medeiros said.

The idea for the club was a collective idea, according to Aunty Venus, stemming from students who directly felt the negative impact of inequality and non-acceptance.

“Issues of inequality are universal and affect everyone,” she said.

She also said that the club will confront these issues through positive initiatives in hopes of creating a safe and supportive school and community.

“[A4E] is a good way to reach out to those who are going through these problems,” senior Sean Segundo said. He will be a club leader along with fellow senior Ashley Tanoue-Singson.

They have not decided on specific activities for the club yet, saying that it will be up to the active members of the club to come up with ideas for things they can do to carry out the club’s mission.

Meetings are expected to occur twice a month after homecoming ends, on the first and third Thursdays of the month.