Kamehameha High School - Ka Nai Aupuni Yearbook (Honolulu, HI)

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Donald Akana, Bob Ramsey, Dawn Farm-Ramsey What are the values of Kamehameha? Of Hawaiians? Donald Akana ISecurily1, Bob Ramsey IRecreationa1 Facilitiesj, and Dawn Farm-Ramsey ICommunicationsj share their views on what Kamehameha and the Hawaiian community should perpetuate. t is important that we search for our Hawaiian- ness: in chant and dance, in arts and crafts, in the land and sea. But it's hard. As Hawai'i left World War II and entered state- hood, much of the old way of life was left behind. And as the older people left us, Hawaiian language and culture began to slip away. This also happened at Kameha- meha. As the school increased its ROTC program and grew into an academic institute, it turned its back on basic Hawaiiana. I am happy to see that things are changing. Hula is back, culture and language are gaining new emphasis. Kamehameha has always been looked on as a leader in the Hawaiian community. But it must do more to help the Hawaiians know about themselves. Kamehameha needs to make Hawaiian language and culture classes mandatory through 12th grade. It should encourage learning about life on the land. It should be the one to help bring Hawai'i back to eher people. After all, Kamehameha Schools is Hawai'i. -Donald Akana Since coming here, I've experienced the Hawaiian culture in ways rarely offered to non-Hawaiians. My perspectives have changed over the years because of some very special people. My awareness of things Hawaiian came from a language class I took from Pilahi Paki. She taught me the beauty of your language, and I saw in her an inner peace that I had never known before. I will not forget her patience and under- standingg these qualities helped me to define what I consider truly Hawaiian, and what I hold most dear. I have since encountered many students and staff who share Aunty's traits. But I also know others who do not have any appreciation for Hawaiian culture and what it offers us. 1 There is often discussion among our staff as to what's more important for our students to learn: Hawaiian or Western values. I hear complaints about class time lost to Founder's Day and Song Contest, and I wonder why some people can't see how valuable such experiences are. Other people stress competitiveness in a way that runs contrary to the nature of our students. There's nothing wrong with competition, but a lot of us have to be careful of the degree to which we push it. No culture has a lock on good values, but those of us from other backgrounds need to be aware that the true Hawaiian way is often more sensitive and effective than what we,ve brought here. -Bob Ramsey I know of kupuna who felt ashamed of being Hawaiian. When they grew up, they were treated as inferiors, and they came to believe it. Their ties to Hawaiian traditions and values pulled against their desire to be accepted and respected. Many even denied their ancestry. We have suffered for genera- tions in this tug-of-war of values, and we still often have to choose between our old beliefs and the expectations of the dominant culture. We are supposed to be a carefree people, in fact, we suffer much inner conflict. A child taught at home to be modest, downplays his ability in school and is labelled: underachiever. An adult raised to value the concept of alu like fworking togetherj, flounders in a business that recognizes only individual accomplishment. How do we prepare our youth for today's world? Do we continue to teach them patience, humility, and modesty when leadership roles in downtown Honolulu go to those who are assertive, aggressive, and opportunistic? Are the re- wards of money and power worth striving for if they undermine the values that we Hawaiians have been taught to respect? Is Kamehameha responsible for choosing between these values? know more than I do. -Dawn Farm-Ramsey

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Leina 'ala Heine, Les Ceballos, Leila Kiaha 'Ala, Les, and Aunty Leila have more than music in common. Their uncompromising outlook on how Kamehameha was and should be lends power to their words and authority to their voices. They may only be part-timers who help with special events, but when 'Ala scolds, you cry: when Les is on Ere, nothing can cool himg and when Aunty Leila so much as looks, you jump. hat are the values of Kamehameha? This is a profound question. I re- member when I was a student here at Kamehameha protected high above the rest of the city and how hard it was then for me to win a citizenship pin. I remember that Founder's Day was an exciting event because the whole school went to the Mausoleum. Football games were different, too, ha ha! I remember Honolulu Stadium right in the middle of town. These and other simple things are slowly losing their luster and value to today's students. But for me, they are invaluable memories. I can now only share a small part of that life with you young people. In 1984-1985, I returned to the campus as a teacher: this was a great accomplishment for me. My values had changed. Who would know better about what to value at Kamehameha than me, than one who did not finish here? Values . . . many. How important . . . a life's worth. Students at Kamehameha, I offer you this 'olelo no'eau: E lawe i ke a'o a malama a e 'oi inau ka na'auao. He who takes his teachings and applies them, increases his knowledge. -Leina'ala Kalama-Heine How do you explain to a pure Filipino boy, born and raised in Waimea, Kauali that going to Kamehameha is totally impossible because he is not Hawaiian -- especially when his part-Hawaiian cousins are admitted? That was me. And after my cousins were ac- cepted, I always felt sick to my stomach whenever Kamehameha was mentioned. It is hard to share this story with you because I don't want to sound like I'm still carrying a chip on my shoulder. But the fact remains: many students not in Kamehameha are sick because they can't get in. So I say to those of you here: my story should help you see how fortunate you are, and it should help you to realize the importance of utilizing fully all that you have in your reach. The bottom line is this: you must better yourselves. If what I share with you does not spark a feeling of appreciation for what you have, I suggest that you focus your thoughts on what is said at our annual Founder's Day celebrations. It is through the power of God and the deep love of Pauahi for her people that we are here. Make her dream a reality by rising above your complacency to strive for learning and understanding. -Les Ceballos My days at Kamehameha can never compare to campus life today. Our student body was more intimate because we were all boarders: everything centered on one campus - the girls above and the boys below. We came together for social activities, church service, class picnics, Founder's Day at the Royal Mausoleum, and Song Contest, which was held on two separate weekends. I truly believe that my days at Kamehameha prepared me for college life and adult- hood. We lived the wishes of Pauahi - to become good and industious men and women. We were proud to be students of The Kamehameha Schools. Those feelings will always be with us. What would I like to see brought back? I'd like to see the return of complete ROTC - grades 9-l2. Our boys need to have more discipline - they need to show more respect to their teachers and parents, and they need to be better prepared for everyday life. I would also like to see the return of the industrial program: welding, farming, carpentry, wood- carving. I've seen the campus grow: I have worked with students all these years. I hope that I have instilled in them some of the respect and love that I feel for our beloved Princess. I hope that they will be forever grateful that she saw fit to leave us her heritage of true Hawaiiana. -Aunty Leila Kiaha