LEO 'ELELE - TRUSTEE MESSAGES

Robert K. Lindsey, Jr.
Trustee, Hawai'i

I want to wish my fellow Trustees, my staff, our entire OHA family and all of our 'ohana across Hawai'i, the U.S. and around the world, a very happy, prosperous, safe, uplifting, inspiring and awesome 2008. And, as we launch into 2008, I want to tell you a little something about one of our institutions of higher learning on Hawai'i Island. I also want to share some mana'o about four very special, gifted and talented Hawaiians. They are young people who are a part of UH-Hilo's very diverse student body.

Nestled in the slopes above Hilo town, in the ahupua'a of Waiākea, is the University of Hawai'i at Hilo. The following is a very crisp description of UH-Hilo extracted through a Google search.

“UH-Hilo is a state university with a private college atmosphere. We offer small class sizes, a low faculty to student ratio and opportunities for research and hands on learning. As a public university...(it) has a unique position in the State–and country–by offering a rigorous and engaging curriculum at an affordable tuition rate. The admission requirements are moderately selective, allowing above average students the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a small school experience.” UH-Hilo is fundamentally a liberal arts and science university. It has an enrollment of 3,500 students and offers 33 undergraduate and five graduate majors along with a Ph.D. in Pharmacy. UH-Hilo, trust me, is not an easy school to get into.

On the morning of Dec. 7, I had the privilege and honor of “talking story” at OHA's Keaukaha Office on Baker Avenue over croissants, fruit salad and orange juice with four Hawaiian scholars who attend one of the best academic institutions in the state of Hawaii. Three are UH Presidential Scholars. They are Trishann Bambico, Ryan Kanakaole and Oakaokalani Ruddle-Miyamoto. The fourth is a UH Regent Scholar. She is Pohai Patterson, the youngest of the group. What an enlightening, inspiring, serendipitous and fun time this was for me. I hope it was the same for Trishann, Ryan, Oaka and Pohai.

To be considered for a UH Presidential Scholarship one must demonstrate outstanding and superior academic achievement, be a full-time student, hold a 3.7 GPA, be involved in academic co-curricular and community service activities and show proof of Hawai'i residency. More than 100 scholars (one has to be a junior) competed across the UH system for 10 prestigious scholarships. Three of the 10 were awarded to students from UH-Hilo and all three are Hawaiian; Trishann (majoring in marine biology and looking forward to a career in conservation biology), Ryan (majoring in political science and planning to be a lawyer) and Oakaokalani (double majoring in philosophy and political science and planning to teach at the university level). Each will receive a tuition waiver and stipend of $2,000 a semester for four consecutive semesters providing they maintain their GPA's. They will also receive a one time travel grant of $2,000 which they must use before graduation.

To be considered for a UH Regent Scholarship, one must also demonstrate superior academic performance. This award is presented to 20 outstanding and incoming UH freshmen.

One needs to have a combined math and verbal SAT score of 1,300, consistently held a minimum 3.5 GPA while in high school and demonstrated “remarkable extracurricular activities.” Pohai graduated from Kamehameha in May 2007 and entered UH-Hilo this semester as a Regent scholar. If she maintains a high GPA and continues her community and civic activities (which I hope she will) Pohai will enjoy a $2,000 a semester tuition waiver and stipend the entire time she is at UH. This is her first semester, and she hopes to major in some strand of biology.

What do they all have to say about UH-Hilo? They love UH-Hilo because it's a small university. Small is indeed beautiful. They know their professors and instructors intimately. There is a very strong 'ohana feeling between kumu and haumana. They are not just faces in the crowd. And when it comes to the education they are receiving, learning is rigorous, challenging, rewarding and fun. The classroom, the book stuff, is supplemented with real life, real world experiences. There is a direct connect between what is discussed and debated in class with the community beyond. The academic world and the real world are in touch with each other. They also get to live at home, live on their home island (except for Trishann who is from Honolulu) and thus are near family. I don't think I would be mistaken by encapsulating for them in a phrase what UH-Hilo means to them. It's their “Pu'uhonua for Learning, Knowledge and a Bright Future.” It's their passport to a better life.

How I wish you could meet Trishann, Ryan, Oakaokalani and Pohai personally, one on one, face to face as I was able to. They were a joy to “talk story” with. They are mature beyond their years and certain about where they want to go with their futures. They all have the necessary skill sets to change with the times and shift gears should the need arise. They have great minds, good hearts, winning attitudes and spades of family support. As we work to restore our Nation in an ever-changing world, they will be the ones who will carry the torch along with many, many others.

Yes, they are youthful and energetic but they are not reckless in their thinking. Their minds are still open to new ideas. When the time comes they will stand tall and decide for themselves where they will position themselves on issues of critical concern from what form a future Nation should take to the blood quantum issue, which continues to tear us apart. Of that, I am certain. They clearly see the need to blend the best of old values with new ones, to know their rich Hawaiian heritage as well as western ways and precepts. They have the ability and opportunity to move through the best of several worlds. They will have little trouble “way-finding” their futures. I am sure their parents, tūtū, aunties, uncles, teachers and professors are all very proud of their achievements and accomplishments. In the February issue of Ka Wai Ola, I will share with you their individual biographies and stances on issues. Mahalo nui a aloha nō!