Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 5, 1 May 1986 — Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins

House Honors OHA Kupuna Coordinator

Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins, community kupuna coordinator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, was honored Apr. 5 by the State House of Representatives with a resolution expressing "its warmest appreciation for an extraordi-

nsiry career as a dedicated classroom instructor, and for many years as an exemplary community and Hawaiian civic leader." The resolution was presented to the full house by Rep. Joseph P. Leong of Mrs. Jenkins' North Shore district. It cites her dedication to the youth of Hawaii during "20 memorable years" of teaching in the state. Before her retirement in 1983 , the OH A kupuna coordinator put in a total of 30 years as a classroom instructor — four in Ohio, five in California and four summers in Micronesia and Guam — and the last 20 in Hawaii. The resolution notes further how "Mrs. Jenkins on her IhkiahOe Bevfefofjed and irhpiemented a speciaf innova tive method of teaching the children language arts skills utilizing Hawaiian concepts of human behavior, values and relationships whieh resulted in significant improvement to the participating students' educational achievements" at Haleiwa Elementary School. This special method of teaching is now embodied in the Halau O Haleiwa program whieh resulted in a Bishop Museum slide presentation entitled, "Hawaii, the Royal Isles," viewed by thousands of museum visitors and shown to people in eight mainland states. Leong's resolution goes on to note that "the North Shore community is espiecially proud of the Halau O Haleiwa program as it brought together the staff and parents of the school, and as a result, assisted in the better understanding of cultural and social differences in Hawaii's diverse family environments." In addition to her teaching career and family responsibilities, Mrs. Jenkins still found time to serve as an officer or member of various professional and community organizations. The list is long and distinctive. Rep. Kina'u Eioyd Kamali'i also paid tribute to Mrs. Jenkins in a brief address on the House floor, noting that "next year we will celebrate the Year of the Hawaiian — Ho'olako." "Without the individual efforts and dedication of people like Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins there would be little to celebrate," she added. Kamali'i described how "difficult it is for many people in Hawaii, especially those born after World War II or who eame to the islands after statehood, to know or to understand the shame and silence of being Hawaiian; or to know and understand the personal strength whieh was required for Hawaiians themselves to reject stereotypes of limitation and laziness." Kamali'i continued: "Betty has told the story of how, as a student at Kamehameha, she was told that she could never be a teacher — that Hawaiians were not qualified for such positions. "She proved them wrong. but that took determination, perseverance and a deep inner confidence of both self and of being Hawaiian. Today many people believe that fight is won. "Everywhere there is evidence of renewed vigor and accomplishment, of efforts not just to preserve but to practice and live the culture." On hand for the momentous occasion were husband Jack Jenkins, parents Richmond and Elizabeth Ellis, both 82, and only daughter, Nalani, student at Leeward Community College. Two sons were unable to attend because of work commitments.

A framed copy of the resolution was presented by Leong and other House members congratulated the family and presented leis.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs community kupuna coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins and her family following House ceremonies. From left to right, House Speaker Henry Peters, Rep. Joseph Leong, Mrs. Jenkins, her husband Jack, father Richmond Ellis, daughter Nalani, and mother Elizabeth Ellis. The Ellis' are both 82. lt was the first public appearance for Mrs. Ellis since major surgery three months ago. Like her daughter, she is also a retired school teacher and very mueh a part of the kupuna program.