Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 6, 1 Iune 1987 — Joins Judge Marie Milks, Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Joins Judge Marie Milks, Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka

Kaulukukui First Hawaiian in PRAISE Hall of Fame

Ho'olako 1987 President and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr. was inducted into the PRAISE (Program for Recognizing Academic Interests and Students Excellence) Hall of Fame in a brief and simple program May 7 at the Kilauea Recreation Center complex. lt was a two-day schedule of activities showcasing the works of public school students throughout the state in every phase of the learning process during the school year. Kaulukukui, a product of Hawaii's public school system in Hilo where he excelled in athletics at Hilo High School and later at the University of Hawaii, is the third inductee and first Hawaiian in the PRAISE Hall of Fame. He joins such illustrious company as Circuit Court Judge Marie N. Milks and U. S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka who died in the ill-fated Challenger space flight last year. PRAISE honors those public school graduates who have been successful in their chosen careers and who have contributed outstanding services to the state or nation. It is most fitting that Kaulukukui was chosen during Ho'olako 1987: the Year of the Hawaiian. Kaulukukui himself conceived the idea for a Hawaiian eelebration nearly two years ago and brought it to full fruition this year with support from community, government and private channels. Kaulukukui, who was head football eoaeh at UH and health and physical education instructor, later operated a successful insurance business and also served as U. S. marshal. He was not on hand to receive the accolades or address the good-sized crowd but his son, Honolulu Attorney Thomas K. Kaulukukui Jr., stood in for him

and read a message addressed to Department of Education Superintendent Charles T. T oguchi who also was unable to attend. Kaulukukui was in Sacramento, Calif., where he was being honored with a resolution by the California State Assembly in tribute to the Year of the Hawaiian for former island residents living in California. Because of the message contained in the letter, Ka Wai Ola O OHA is printing the entire contents: "1 am pleased and honored to accept the PRA1SE award as an outstanding graduate of the Hawaii public schools. This award has special importance to me because it is made by those in my chosen profession: education. For over 50 years, both in the classroom and in the community at large, 1 have devoted my life to educating Hawaii's youth, chiefly in the areas of athletics and character development. What modest measure of success I have achieved 1 owe in great part to my education, in whieh I was ehallenged and taught by competent and interested educators, and was encouraged and supported by my peers. The rules for success in the classroom and in life ean and should be taught at every level, and I humbly offer my own short list of these rules to teachers and students for their consideration. First, Believe in Yourself. lf you don't, why should anyone else? Strive for excellence, and fear not failure, whieh will help improve your judgment. Good judgment is the product of experience; experience is the product of bad judgment. Second, Trust in Others. Seldom ean one achieve true success without the help of his fellow men and women. Indeed, achievements are only great or small

when measured against or in the context in whieh they are achieved. In our society, that context is seldom solitude, so we must trust in others and seek their help and advice when needed, returning the same with generosity. Third, Work Hard. If you want to be better than anyone else at anything, you must work harder than anyone else! There are no shortcuts, and the difference between "good" and "great" is only extra effort. Practice, practice, practice; study, study, study. Eventually and inevitably, perfect practice and study will make perfection. Finally, Persevere. Press on, when others turn back. Nothing in the world ean take the plaee of persistence. Talent will not. Everyone has some talent, but talent is not immortal. Nothing is more eommon than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education alone will not. The world is full of uneducated derelicts. Perseverance and determination alone are invincible. In my belief, these are the qualities whieh portend success, and I am indeed fortunate to have had, at an early age, teachers and coaches who taught these qualities to me. I therefore accept this PRAISE award not only with a deep sense of honor, but with gratitude to my teachers and coaches. I remain confident, as I always have been, that our public school system, with the combined efforts and interest of its educators, students and community, will eonhnue to inspire and produce Hawaii's future leaders." Mahalo and Aloha, Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr.

Honolulu Attorney Thomas K. Kaulukukui Jr. stands besides photos of his father, Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr. and U. S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ellison Onizuka at PRAISE Hall of Fame exhibit.

A Department of Education exhibit chronicling the educational, athletic and professional life of Thomas K. Kaulukukui Sr. attracted large crowds at the two-day PR AISE program at the Kilauea Recreation Center gym.