Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 1, 1 January 2010 — Happy New Year [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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Happy New Year

We all know what ?.e.w, means. But what is happy? It could mean it's the hope and wish that in the year 2010 all will be happy? But what is happy? Happy may mean contentment, lucky, pleasure and a whole lot more. But how ean we in all honestv wish for a

Happy New Year with all the misery, pain and suffering people are experiencing throughout the world and in our Hawai'i? War in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan are still killing and wounding people. The possibility of more war with other countries: Iran, N. Korea, India, Palestine and Israel. In addition, how ean we say happy with illness throughout the world: AIDS, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, strokes and HIN 1, plus hnaneial disaster, homelessness, drugs, unemployment and Furlough Fridays. I have heard from several sources that Hawaiians make up between 17-20% of the population of Hawai'i. I have also found out 60% of the total students in the DOE not doing well are Hawaiian. Also, 60% of the men and women impris-

oned are Hawaiians. Also, 60% of single mothers with children, and another 70% homeless in Hawai'i are Hawaiian. Dr. Albert Einstein onee was a visiting professor at a New York University. As he walked down the hallowed halls to his lecture room, a young co-ed stopped him and asked him why didn't he believe in God. Professor Einstein answered, "I believe there is a force in the universe greater than man. If you wish to eall this force God, who am I to argue." Then the co-ed asked, "Tell me whv did God nut us here on

Earth?" Professor Einstein simply said, "To help others." Several years ago, my family and I met with out dear friend, Father Felix. He used to be at Kōloa's St. RaphaeFs Church and he was supposed to retire, but he went to several Catholic churches throughout Hawai'i. Father Felix is from Belgium as was Saint Damien. Before we had luneh, I showed him a rosary he blessed for me years before. I told him, "This rosary is special to me because you blessed it." And Father Felix said, "Anyone ean bless." Father Felix is now the priest at Kalaupapa. I am praying that you say to others, "Have a blessed New Year." I bless you. ■

leo eleletrustEE mESSSagES

www.oha.org/kwo

Dūnald B. Cataluna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau