When Nikilani Rojas first learned she had been chosen to attend the Special Olympics North America (SONA) Conference, she was at baseball practice. “I looked at my email and saw that I got in,” she recalled with a smile. “It was very exciting.”
Nikilani Represents Hawaii at the SONA Athlete Leadership Conference
As a passionate leader working to build local councils and give athletes a stronger voice, Nikilani embraced the opportunity to learn, connect, and share ideas with leaders from across the country.
Nikki was selected because of her determination to build athlete leadership in her community. She had been the only athlete in Maui actively working to start an Athlete Leadership Council, and her passion stood out. With her mentor and area director, she began recruiting athletes not only from Maui but also from the neighboring islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘I, three islands that together make up Maui County.
Attending the SONA Conference was a turning point. Nikki joined ten other athlete leaders from across the country, diving into workshops and group discussions. “She came back to the room every night and talked about everything she learned,” said Nip Ho, Special Olympics Hawaii Senior Vice President of Programs. “She took notes and already started sharing them with her area director back in Maui.”
For Nikki, the conference was about more than leadership skills. It was about giving athletes and families a stronger voice. “We each have a voice, and we can get our athletes and our families more involved,” she said. “We can do fundraising and start new things together.”
First Athlete Leadership Council Meeting in Maui
From once being shy as a child to now leading with confidence, Nikilani hosted the very first Special Olympics Maui Athlete Leadership Council meeting.
Within a couple of weeks from returning home, Nikki put her training into action. She set an agenda, created a flyer, found a meeting space, and invited athletes from across Maui County to attend the first Athlete Leadership Council meeting. “She’s made contact with her area director, recruited athletes, and hosted the first meeting,” said Nip. “In six months, I’ve seen so much growth in Nikki.”
That first meeting in Maui was a success. Athletes, coaches, and Unified partners came together, eager to support the new council. “This was an opportunity for Nikki to shine,” said Adrienne Laurion, Special Olympics Maui Area Director. “She got athletes more involved, encouraged them to use their voices, and helped everyone feel excited about the future of Special Olympics Maui.”
Nikki’s family beamed with pride. Toni Rojas, Nikki’s mother, shared, “She’s always been determined, and she has such a passion for her friends. This role is perfect for her. She loves bringing people together, and she truly enjoys being in front of a crowd.”
From a shy eight-year-old to the captain of her swim team, and now a leader shaping the future of athlete voices in Maui, Nikki’s journey reflects the heart of Special Olympics. “Special Olympics cannot be done without the leadership and the voice of our athletes,” said Nip. “It is our athletes’ leadership that takes us into the future.”
Nikilani’s Sweet Success at Stillwell’s Bakery
Nikilani shows that abilities, not disabilities, define a person’s potential. The power of inclusion in the workplace proves that when businesses open doors to people of all abilities, everyone wins.
Nikki’s impact doesn’t stop at Special Olympics. She also works at Stillwell’s Bakery, a beloved local shop. There, she is a baker, creating tasty treats and greeting customers with the same energy and warmth she brings to her leadership role. Her presence at the bakery has made her a familiar face in the community, and the confidence she has built serving others every day translates directly into the way she leads and connects with fellow athletes.
For Nikki, that future is already here. She’s leading, she’s growing, and she’s making sure athletes across Maui, Moloka‘i, and Lana‘i have a voice.
