The state launched an anti-bullying initiative today, with a series of student-produced public service announcements featuring University of Hawaii athletes.

The spots, funded by First Hawaiian Bank, will air on several television stations and sports telecasts.

The anti-bullying initiative is aimed at increasing monitoring of bullying offenses and improving efforts to stop bullying.

The Department of Education will present its complete bullying plan at a Board of Education meeting today.

At a news conference this morning, BOE Chairman Don Horner said “today is the first step” to address the problem of bullying in public schools.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said.

Also at the news confernece, Gov. Neil Abercrombie recounted his own experiences with bullying as a child growing up in Buffalo, N.Y., where he said he was singled out because he wasn’t Polish, Irish or Italian.

“When somebody picks on you because of your name, let me tell you, that’s rough,” Abercrombie said.

He added, "When you treat someone else disrespectfully it doesn’t make you bigger. It makes you smaller."

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 1 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 2 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 3 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 4 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 5 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.

Anti Bullying PSA Spot 6 from Searider Productions on Vimeo.