Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 2, 1 February 1992 — OHA establishes educational foundation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]
OHA establishes educational foundation
by Christina Zarobe Calling it a "banner year" of achievements, the chairman of the education and culture eommittee last month released the group's year-end report.
The Rev. Moses K. Keale Sr., chairman of the committee and OHA trustee for Ni'ihau and Kaua'i, described the creation of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Educational Foundation as the committee's "greatest accomplishment" for the year. The proposed endowment for the foundation is $10,000,000 with additional fund-raising programs expected in the private sector. Committee officials are awaiting a review of legal questions by the Internal Revenue Service concerning the foundation; drafts on the specific language of governance; and a final judicial review and release by the OHA Budget and Finance Committee. Final review and approval by the OHA Board of Trustees is also still required.
"It is our hope that this foundation will begin to address the needs of our children and educators in providing a sound foundation for a solid investment in the future of our people," Keale stated in the year-end report on committee activities. Also on the education front, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs established the Ke Kukui Malamalama Awards to recognize excellence in education, the chairman reported. Nominations were solicited for excellence in four categories: administration by an individual, education by a teacher, community service and a Hawaiian project.
"We hope that this effort will show our talented people and programs that their tireless efforts are appreciated," he wrote. Throughout the summer and fall, the chairman conducted meetings with members of the state Board of Education and administrators from the state Department of Education to demonstrate OHA's eoneem for quality education for Hawaiian youngsters. "We informed the Board of Education and Department of Education that OHA would be
taking an active, 'hands on role' in shaping the policies that affect our children's education," he
said. Committee members attended several meetings in support of expanding the language immersion program. A strong coalition of parents and supporters, officials at Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, and OHA succussfully
lobbied the Hawaiian Affairs Committee of the Board of Education to recommend an expansion of the program in grades kindergarten through 12. Among other education news in 1991 was the release of $50,000 in scholarship funds for gap group students with another $50,000 to be released in 1992.
Meanwhile, the chairman praised in particular Aha 'Opio and Aha Kupuna, describing the programs as "exemplary." "Over the four years, our kupuna have made great contributions to the quality of life for our students and parents," the ehaimnan said. He noted specifically the paper "On Determining Hawaiian Values," a blueprint for understanding the spiritual values that define the Hawaiian universe, and kupuna thoughts on Hawaiian selfdetermination expressed at the recent Kupuna Conference and other mini-conferences.
Plans have already started for the fifth annual Aha 'Opio legislative leadership program scheduled for June. "This program is truly a positive experience of great long-term value to our eommunity. "Some of the students from our first year have reported wonderful experiences and opportunities as a result of the positive leadership skills attained through this program," he said. Among the other successes cited by Keale was the repatriation of Native Hawaiian remains from the Smithsonian Institution. "Although this does not put a final end to the story of returning all of the bones of our ances-
tors to their appropriate resting places, it sets a pattern for the day when we will be able to say with pride that our ancestors rest in final peaee," Keale said.
The Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Task Force, whieh has been reorganized as the | Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council, worked with a Kaua'i community group as well as organizations on Hawai'i and O'ahu to secure, return and re-inter the bones of Native Hawaiians. Keale noted that the formation of the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council, whieh is currently chaired by Aunty Namahana Maioho, is a particularly "significant" move toward "increased involvement by the Hawaiian eommunity in OHA's affairs. "
"We informed the Board of Education and Department of Education that OHA would he taking an active, *hands on role' in shaping the policies that affect our children's edu - eaiion. " Trustee Moses K. Keale Sr.
In December, the Education and Culture Committee finalized the transformation of the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Task Force's transition to a permanent eouneil now known as the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council.
Looking ahead, the chairman said the eouneil plans to submit, to the OHA Board of Trustees, a proposed allianee between the City and County of Honolulu parks division and OHA to manage the cultural and archaeological assets at Kualoa Regional Park. Pleased with the overall accomplishments of 1991, Keale said committee members "hope to continue to demonstrate that we ean put words into actions." He encouraged beneficiaries to contact committee members with other suggestions. They are Keale, Frenchy DeSoto and Thomas Kaulukukui.
Moses K. Keale Sr.