Genshu Price of Hawaii on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Genshu Price. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning Genshu, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I was raised with the idea that integrity is a deep core value. If your efforts are not fueled by integrity, the energy and brainpower used are worthless if the intentions were not pure. Integrity is the power that generates intelligence and energy. Here in Hawaii, this idea is emphasized by our culture of aloha; an idea that revolves around helping each other and supporting the community.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Genshu Price. I am 17 years old, growing up on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. I am the Founder of Bottles4College, a multi-award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects recyclable cans and bottles to help protect the planet and help fund college scholarships for kids in Hawaii.

To date, Bottles4College has recycled over 2 MILLION cans and bottles and diverted over 150,000 lbs of trash from the landfills and environment. We have supported 16 students in their journey to college and have granted over $60,000 in college scholarships to students across the islands and to those affected by the Lahaina fires. We partner with over 30 businesses, both local and global. Our efforts have brought sustainability through recycling to Hawaii’s businesses, attractions, events, schools, and community spaces.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My family, especially my parents, have been guides and cornerstones in my life and journey of community work. They have been the ones to help me grow and find the pathway that I am on now. As I grew up, I was shown how important community, education, and environment are. This was built into my lifestyle. These 4 values were turned into Bottles4College’s 4 Pillars: Environment, Education, Community, and Lifestyle.

My family further grew as the community helped me persevere and continue my efforts. Backed by the community of Hawaii, I was motivated to pursue making an impact and they are credited for helping me get to the place I am today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one thing to my younger self, it would be to never give up. There have been many times I was unsure I could achieve my goals or that others would believe in me. But that external noise was never true because I chose not to give up. So I would tell myself to persevere and never give up on my goals because if I do, I will never be able to grow and rise to new horizons.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Integrity is the most important value one can have. This means that the you everyone sees should be the person you truly are. I am the person I am, both at home and out in public. I have so much more growth and learning to do as a young person, but I do not try to shield that.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope that my story which those tell is one that is about community growth and adventure. My goal in life is to be able to help my community through innovation and adventure. Change can only be made through new discovery and work so I hope to help brighten the future through walking a pathway of growth and adventure.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Bottles4College

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