Posted on: Saturday, September 25, 2004

EDITORIAL
Kamehameha gift helps the entire community

Fairly or unfairly, Kamehameha Schools and its generations of students have often been seen as a breed apart.

In that sense, the splendid decision of Kamehameha alumni from the classes 1940 through 2000 to donate collections of books on Hawaiiana to every elementary school in the state is an important cultural moment.

Originally, according to education writer Treena Shapiro, the plan was to donate collections on Hawaiian history and culture solely to schools with large percentages of Hawaiian students.

But the graduates soon recognized they had the money, and the will, to give this gift to every elementary school.

We have long argued that Kamehameha Schools is an important contributor not just to the Hawaiian community, but to the state as a whole.

This latest gift from generous Kamehameha alumni proves that point.