McKinley High celebrates 3 alumni Army veterans
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Video: Three join McKinley's Hall of Honor |
By Mary Vorsino
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
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A noted trio of Army veterans will be inducted into the McKinley High Hall of Honor this month, joining the ranks of locally and nationally distinguished alumni whose portraits line a long hallway in the school's main building.
The honorees, who will join such notables as Duke Kahanamoku, U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye, entertainer Carole Kai and former Gov. George Ariyoshi, are:
Duckworth served in the Iraq war, where she lost both her legs. Last year, she ran unsuccessfully for a seat in Congress and now is in charge of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.
The McKinley Hall of Honor is dedicated to alumni who have made a difference in their communities or attained acclaim for their achievements. The hall was started in 1986, with 38 initial inductees.
Since then, the hall has added up to six esteemed graduates annually.
Odetta Ululani Fujimori, the first president of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, was inducted in 2006.
Former McKinley principal Richard Sakimoto, who graduated from the school, started the hall as a way to recognize well-known graduates of one of the state's oldest high schools. He wanted students at the school — a good portion of whom are living in poverty or close to it — to know they can succeed.
"It's an inspiration to the students at the school," said Sakimoto, who is retired. "Kids think to themselves, 'If I set my mind to it, if I have that drive and determination, I can be like the person up there on the wall.' "
Richard Sakoda, president-elect of the McKinley Alumni Association, pointed out that many of those whose portraits line the hallway of the school's administration building grew up in disadvantaged households.
Sakoda said he hopes students understand the countless barriers many of the inductees had to overcome to achieve success. One of the ways that message is driven home to students is in an annual assembly, in which student leaders read out the names of new honorees and tell their stories.
David Park, a senior at McKinley, said he's been surprised to see just how many Hawai'i notables graduated from the school.
There is Sen. Hiram Fong, former police chief Lee Donahue, state auditor Marion Higa and revered Native Hawaiian educator Gladys Brandt. "And there's the guy who created ABC stores," Park said. That would be Sidney Kosasa.
"When you see how much they achieved in life, and they're being recognized for that, you kind of want it for yourself," Park said.
Tom Katsuyoshi, the past president of the McKinley Alumni Association, said the selection process for inductees is tough. Last year, Lee was passed over.
Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.
