Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1988 — 18th Annual Hawaii State Student Conference [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

18th Annual Hawaii State Student Conference

Students Concerned Over Loss of Ethnic ldentity

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Nearly 58 percent of today's students believe that the young generation are losing their ethnic identities. Their eoneem about this loss is so great throughout the state that it was chosen as one of eight major topics discussed by nearly 200 public and private school students who attended the 18th Annual Hawaii State Student Conference Mar. 9-11 at Camp Harold R. Erdman in Mokuleia. A total of 561 students responded to a survey of loss of ethnic identity to prepare for the three-day annual meeting whieh is mandated by the Hawaii State legislature.

Virtually every public and private high school, some secondary and a few special education schools were represented at the conference. These were student delegates and alternates eleeted by their respective schools. In discussing the problem of loss of ethnic identity, conference planners drafted a reason for this, noting that "The children of Hawaii need to understand their roots to develop a more positive self image. They should also have an understanding of the traditional practices of the different ethnic eultures that are found in Hawaii."

Delegate atter delegate took the tloor microphones to give their version of the problem. Preceding the testimonials, however, a skit was presented by the students and featuring Aiea Intermediate student Sharly Manley as a person seeking her identity going from one ethnic group to the next until she found her rightful plaee. During the testimonials, a Hawaii delegate responded that all ethnic groups in Hawaii have their respective special day. "It's plain and simple.

Everyone knows this," he said. On the other hand, another student delegate noted that, "There are other cultures whieh are not dominant here, like the Europeans, Asians, etc. Look at me! I'm full Polish. Where am I in ethnic identity?" she questioned. Another delegate eame up with still another version saying, "Ethnic identity is not the school's job but something for the home. It is more of a family or community problem." An Oahu high school student said, "Most of us really are mixed up; we don't know whieh culture to go with." Another said she was a mixture of eultures and yet considers herself Hawaiian even though her background is that of another ethnic group.

The testimonials were brief but interesting and students made the one hour session lively with their intelligent and enthusiastic participation. Amber Arakaki of Castle High School, who chaired the conference, did a tremendous job in keeping the discussions moving at a rapid but smooth paee. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs was represented on opening day by Kupuna Community Coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins and Education Officer Rona Rodenhurst who shared their views as resource people along with Dennis Ogawa, author and professor of American Studies at the University of Hawaii, and Liberato Viduya, district superintendent for the Central District.

Ka Wai Ola O OHA attended the second day of the conference when delegates actually tackled the question of ethnic identity. The other seven conference issues discussed by students covered world tensions, child and spouse abuse, employment on the mainland, polluhon, quality of education, substance abuse and suicide among Hawaii's youth. Flora Takekawa, retired Department of Education official working on contract as Education Specialist for Student Affairs, was the adult coordinator of the conference whieh was her 10th. "Dare to Make a Difference" was the theme of this year's conference.

Three members of the planning panel, from left to right, Amber Arakaki, Castle High School; Leila Ching, Pearl City High School; and Riri Anguay, Campbell High School.

Sharly Manley in striped top doesn't find her ethnic identity from this group. The Aiea Intermediate School student was the central player in an identity skit.

James Clarke of the Windward District provides some input in addressing the panel. Other students line up behind him to also discuss the matter.