Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 9, 1 September 1986 — Gabriel I Makes Some Observations [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Gabriel I Makes Some Observations

Education, Language lmportant for Hawaiians

One of the most heartening scenes these days for a 77-year-old native Hawaiian who spent 40 years as an educator with the Stte Department of Education is the fact that "quite a few Hawaiians from Kauai are attending Kauai Community College to leam the language and to get an education." "It pleases me no end in seeing these Hawaiians going for something and also picking up the language," said Gabriel 1 recently over a morning repast at McDonald's in Lihue.

In talking with Ka Wai Ola O OHA, I had this advice for his fellow Hawaiians: "Get an education, leam your Hawaiian language, be resourceful and participate in things that will affect your way of life." I, who describes himself as being three-fourths Hawaiian and one quarter English, retired in 1972 as prineipal of Kaumakani Elementary School. Before that, however, he spent most of his 40-year career as a classroom teacher, vice principal and counselor. "I enjoyed my work very mueh, especially in eounseling; I liked working with the children. I ended up teaching some of their children," he reflected. I said he is also encouraged to see some Niihau students finish their education at Kauai high schools and enroll at KCC. "This is absolutely wonderful," he remarked.

Retirement has brought no rest and relaxation for I. He estimates he is busier now than he was during his teaching days. He only recently completed two terms as president of the Hawaii State Retirecl T eachers Association and is active with the Kauai Senior Citizens. Another recent honor was being named the outstanding senior volunteer by the National Association of American Retired Persons (NAARP).

Among other activities, he serves on the board of trustees of the Grove Farm Homestead and is a life member of the Kauai Historical Society. He is one of the first members of the Alu Like ine. eouneil and was one of those recognized recently for his 10-year service with the agency. He is the DOE advisor for the kupuna program and has nothing but high praise for young Kalani Flores, district resource teacher for Kauai. "He is a very smart young man and the kupuna just absolutely like him very mueh. He has a good command of the language and gets along well with people," I observed.

I noted, too, that it b,ecomes a little disturbing when "our Hawaiian people go overboard" on an issue because "I feel we should be studying the matter a little more cautiously." The retired educator, who also taught Hawaiian language and Hawaiiana at KCC, also keeps busy directing tours during part of the summers in Honolulu and the South Pacific.

He said one summer he conducted a Hawaiiana walking tour of Honolulu following a request from a state of Washington travel agency. He had 15 teachers and spouses in the first group. Then followed 80 in the second session and 120 for the third. "It just built up from word of mouth," I said. I volunteered the names of three Hawaiians whom he points with pride as having been successful in the eommunity. One of them, Ezra Kanoho, was a former student. After working awhile in Honolulu with Hawaiian Telephone Co., Kanoho returned to Kauai a number of years ago to manage the Garden Island office.

He points to Winona Rubin, executive director of Alu Like ine., as a former Kauai girl making good. Hartwell Blake, another name he ticked off, is a former Kauai County mayor, active in politics andtheHawaiianCivic Club movement on his island. I also had some kinds words for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, especially in the areas of land titles, grants and the new adminstrator.

Education, however, has been and will always be I's love affair. He espouses it highly for his fellow Hawaiians and for all young citizens'of'Hawaii. "Good morning, Mr. I," hailed two generations of former students as the venerable educator and Ka Wai Ola O OHA stepped outside to take a picture.

Gabriel I