Posted on: Tuesday, August 6, 2002

ISLAND VOICES
Creative vision is needed for Hawaiians

By Randie K. Fong
Head of Kamehameha Schools Performing Arts Department

Educating more Hawaiian children is a noble goal in itself, but there needs to be a greater purpose, one that is connected to a clear, creative and dynamic vision for the Hawaiian people.

Is it enough that we simply "reach" more Hawaiians? What about the quality and substance of that "reach?"

Given the sweep of historical trauma and the ever-shifting social and political landscapes that will likely continue to marginalize Hawaiians, we must use education to build up and maintain a stronger and more cohesive Hawaiian community. Kamehameha Schools' educational role must be to work toward a dynamic and thriving Hawaiian society in the 21st century and beyond.

We must visualize the future of the Hawaiian community as an innovative and culturally-connected world where cutting edge technology and ancestral truths coalesce; where Hawaiian and English are spoken with equal facility and eloquence; where our land and all of our natural resources are protected, maintained and available for responsible use; where Hawaiian teachers, fishermen, scientists, mechanics, construction workers, physicians, executives, businessmen, musicians, politicians and farmers can recount their own genealogies, lead family devotions, resolve conflicts and be able to express the stories and songs of our people with spirit and pride.

We need to be inspired to unite politically to protect and defend native rights in a variety of arenas (land, water, self-determination, etc.).

We must treat our Hawaiian community as a special habitat within which Hawaiian culture can regenerate, stabilize and flourish. We must provide for the world more accurate profiles of Hawaiian culture so that the range of global industries and political entities can be better informed.

Native Hawaiians must be cohesive enough as a community that we can invite non-Hawaiian entities to the table to work together for the betterment of our native homeland.

If Hawaiians have ever needed responsible leadership, creative vision and bold warrior instincts, it's now. As Kamehameha policy makers move to affect change in the admissions and other policies, may they do so within the larger vision of realigning educational efforts to create a cohesive, thriving and culturally-connected Hawaiian community for generations to come.