Hawaiian Identity

We started off the first two weeks of school discussing what it means to be a Hawaiian. Students tackled issues such as blood quantum – where it it come from, does it matter, how it’s detrimental to us as a lāhui, more Hawaiian/less Hawaiian – is there such a thing?, Hawaiian at heart & the giving away of identity and much more. Their brains were challenged to think hard about the issues that we face. More importantly, they were charged with the kuleana of improving the lot of those of us who are poor, uneducated, unhealthy, and more likely to end up in prison. Our king said “I mua.” That is what we intend to do. I mua! Forward! It is a charge that we will fulfill for ourselves, our families and our lāhui.