Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 12, 1 December 1985 — Waihee Stresses Education in Convention Talk [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Waihee Stresses Education in Convention Talk

Lt. Gov. John David Waihee III called on the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs to do all it ean "to prepare talented young Hawaiians to fill" the needs of Hawaii's public school sysfem over the next five years because of an expected shortage of teachers throughout the state. Waihee and Maui Mayor Hannibal Tavares were the only speakers during the Nov. 8 deliberations of the association's 26th annual convention at the Maui Inter-Continental Hotel in Wailea. The convention theme was "Onipa'a" or steadfast and Waihee noted that this concept may have applications whieh are quite different than they were 100 years ago. "But the concept," he explained, "compels us to be true to ourselves and to one another, just as it did the Hawaiian people during the most trying times of annexation." He noted that "education is truly what the Hawaiian Civic Clubs are all about . When we think of education as a life-Iong process, we understand that our clubs are community-by-community educators. The total educational value of the civic clubs is immeasurable and we must continue to serve the community this way." "We have fOr many years focused our efforts on scholarships and support programs for Hawaiian students, steadfast in our belief that this is the best way to build our future," Waihee said. He added that "today we are at the brink of a very special opportunity . . . for over the next five years, 4,800 teachers will be needed in Hawaii's public school systems, and in 1990 and 1991, another 1,100 must be found." "The best classrooms," he explained, "are those in whieh a sense of family exists, where students/teachers/parents feel good about working with one another, and where an achieve-

ment by one is an achievement for all." "This is a classroom goal we must achieve for the betterment of all Hawaii's children, and one whieh we ean energize by bringing in bright, caring and well-trained Hawaiian teachers. This should be a front-burner priority," he declared. Tavares, who delivered the weleome address, said he has a very warm feeling for Hawaiians because "you find true friendship and loyalty in Hawaiians. The aloha spirit and love are part of the Hawaiian makeup; its real coming from a Hawaiian." "I'm thrilled to see this Hawaiian renaissance, if you will. I'm thrilled to see 2, 3 and 4-year-olds learning the culture, tradition and custom of Hawaiians. A hula halau doesn't have all Hawaiians. You find Portuguese, Filipino, Chinese, Cauc-

asians and virtually every ethnic group in a halau. They don't have Hawaiian blood but they have the soul of a Hawaiian," the mayor noted. He explained he wasn't anti-business but he was against those who would eome in and "pilau (stench or spoil) our environment. I am for quality development." Tavares concluded by leaving this challenge with civic club members: "Help us win this battle against drug abuse. If you truly aloha the aina, you wouldn't plant anything harmful, would you? If you aloha your body you wouldn't harm that, too, would you?" He implored the assembled delegates, alternates and guests to think seriously about this problem and "join us in our fight."

Lt. Gov. John Waihee

Maui Mayor Hannihal Tavares