Wailele a me Wailani

Today I went to a beautiful ceremony of cleansing in preparation for the construction for the Ka‘iwakïloumoku, the new Hawaiian cultural center. The complex will be situated east of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Memorial Chapel and Heritage Center.

At the ceremony, the vision of a Hawaiian cultural center was first articulated by former Kamehameha Schools trustee Myron “Pinky” Thompson in 1992. It was his vision to create a place where Hawaiians could come together to learn, celebrate and perpetuate their rich ancestral culture.

Randie Fong, who has kept this dream alive, has said, “This center will be a physical
symbol of Kamehameha’s commitment to the place of Hawaiian culture in the lives of
21st century Hawaiians. It will be a beacon that reflects our mission, a front and center, prominent and vibrant hub of activity.”

I personally believe the use of the new Hawaiian Cultural Center should reflect what type of Hawaiian leaders we want to cultivate as well as the realities of our global world.

With a rich history and deep knowledge, Hawaiians have much to teach the world about values towards others and the environment. Hawaiians managed to live in a sustainable way before Western contact using the ahupua‘a land management system. Natural resources were conserved while the ecosystem was protected. From the wisdom of their kupuna, I would like our keiki to learn the true meaning of malama i ka ‘äina at our new cultural center, to become leaders not only in the Hawai‘i, but globally as well.

We are developing students who can move past their history and into their imaginations. But the type of person who will succeed in our brave new world is someone who can also transcend race and build relationships—someone with a spirit of cooperation who is tolerant of others. It will require people who think before they react and who understand the consequences of their actions. It calls for self-respecting people who feel good about where they came from and don’t apologize for who they are, and it calls for people who will continue to grow and develop and who will bring value to themselves and those they represent.

I foresee Hawai‘i as a center for teaching the world about sustainability, marine science, alternative energy sources, and even race relations. With the world gone wrong in so many ways, we feel a different perspective will be needed to solve problems in the world.

I believe this new cultural center can become an integral part in creating Hawaiian leaders who can be an inspiration to the world.

Thanks for listening, and I would like to hear your comments as well!

Unlike many people who believe that this is a terrible time to live because of the Global Warming crisis, I, on the other hand, believe this is an exciting time to be alive. We are in a period of time when we have a great opportunity to change and redesign the world in a loving and sustainable way. I would like future generations to look back on us now and say we were the finest and noblest of all generations—the generation that made this world an extraordinary place to live and thrive.

We have the technology to be able to cut our impact on our Earth by 90% quickly and efficiently creating an environment that is more sustainable to living things. What is stopping us from doing this?

A man in the video mentions that “things are thieves of time?” What do you think this means? Explain.

What can indigenous peoples of the world teach our world concerning our interactions with the environment and with each other?

How can we use our understanding of science and technology along with our understanding of culture and how culture changes to create a society that will interact with science and the world around us in a sustainable fashion?

What new jobs and opportunities do you think will be created in the future to create a sustainable and just world?

Humankind’s 11th hour is here: the last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global ecological collapse. This is the theme of the documentary we watched today. We watched astonishing images of floods, fires, hurricanes, collapsing ice cliffs and growing mountains of waste.

What were your thoughts and feelings watching 11th hour?

Do you think the near future will be mankind’s darkest hour or will it be mankind’s finest?

What can the world do to create a sustainable future for humankind?

What can you do personally to affect positive change for our planet?

Do you think Kamehameha Schools benefits the Hawaiian community? Why or why not?

How do you think Kamehameha Schools could better serve the Hawaiian community?

Do you believe Kamehameha Schools should become a “tribal school?” Why or why not?

If you’ve traveled around this world of ours – in continental Europe, in South America, in many parts of Asia – you have noticed that many of the world’s citizens speak two languages, and some speak three or more. In fact, there are more multilingual people in the world than monolingual.

Monolingual Americans – and if you are American you are likely monolingual – invariably feel a twinge of shame about this. In Germany or Singapore, Moscow or Rio, folks switch from their language to ours because it’s understood us backward Americans can’t switch from ours to theirs.

Rationale for learning another language.

Development of a global attitude-During their elementary school years, children are open to ideas of global understanding. Study of a foreign language and culture can serve as an important vehicle by which to expand their intercultural views.

Enhancement of cognitive skills-Cognitive development takes place when a child is faced with an idea or experience that does not fit his or her realm of understanding. The cognitive conflict becomes the catalyst for new thinking. Children who learn a foreign language are more flexible and creative, and they reach high levels of cognitive development at an earlier age than their monolingual peers.

Enhancement of communication skills-The study of foreign languages has also been shown to have positive effects on memory and listening skills.

Personal Benefits-Individuals who study foreign languages and cultures help themselves toward international and intercultural communication. They expose themselves to a global perspective, and enhance their career potential in the ever growing arena of international trade and cross-cultural professional exchange.

Why do you think it is important and beneficial to learn another language?

What language do you want to learn and why?

La‘au Point on Moloka‘i is an area historically used by native residents for subsistence—gathering and hunting. Moloka‘i Properties intended to build 200 homes over 800 acres on La ‘au Point. In return, Moloka‘i Properties has offered to put 55,000 acres into a community land trust. Water is scarce on the land, and Moloka‘i Properties already owns a resort on the dry west side that they have let fall into neglect.

Development (jobs) versus Hawaiian identity?

Did the people of Moloka’i make the right choice protesting against development?

What would you do if you were a leader of the Moloka’i community?

How do different groups of people view land and how do their views shape their leadership and society?

How is the control of land essential/important to people?

How is knowledge of history important for making and guiding future decisions regarding land use?

Out of all the issues that Mufi presented in his State of the City address, tell me which issues concern you the most and why?

What type of leader do you see yourself in the future?

What qualities are needed to be a great leader?

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing.”
–Edmund Burke

What does this quote mean to you and how does this saying relate to you?

The War in Darfur (called by some, including the American Government, the Darfur Genocide) is a military conflict in the Darfur region of western Sudan. The current lines of conflict are seen to be ethnic and tribal, rather than religious.  The conflict began in February of 2003.

The deadly carnage in Darfur, Sudan, for example, which is almost always discussed in political and military terms, has roots in an ecological crisis directly arising from climate shocks.
Jeffrey Sachs, economist

Darfur provides a case study of how existing marginal situations can be exacerbated beyond the tipping point by climate-related factors. It also shows how lack of essential resources threatens not only individuals and their communities but also the region and the international community at large.
Think-Tank, CNA Corporation

Amid the diverse social and political causes, the Darfur conflict began as an ecological crisis, arising at least in part from climate change.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

What can we learn from the crisis in Darfur, Sudan occuring now?

What can we personally do about this situation?

If you had 15 minutes with Mufi Hanneman, the mayor of Honolulu, what issue would you like to discuss with him and why.