HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0396.004 2004-2006 KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS
Hawaii Campus
TESTIMONY TO THE HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
By
Ninia Aldrich, Principal
Kamehameha High School, Kea'au Campus
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Chairman Higa and honorable County Council members, Aloha mai kakou.
My name is Ninia Aldrich and I am a native Hawaiian and Principal of the Kamehameha High
School in Kea'au.
I am here today to provide testimony to our city council officials in supporting Kamehameha's
desire to rehear en banc the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' Decision regarding our Hawaiian
Preference Policy.
As you all know, current statistics reflect the plight of our Hawaiian people:
? High rate of poverty and unemployment
? High rate of incarceration
? High rate of substance abuse
? Poor student achievement results as compared to state norms
? Major negative health indicators
? High teen pregnancy
There are currently 445,000 Hawaiians in the United States with 260,000 residing in the state of
Hawaii. Kamehameha as well as other Hawaiian agencies were established to help educate and
support our native Hawaiians so that our people would benefit and thrive.
Princess Pauahi was a visionary one who saw the plight of her people 118 years ago as
disheartening and of grave concern. With this burden and love for her people she bequeathed
her entire estate to establish our school. Through education, Pauahi felt that our people would be
able to thrive and have options for a better way of life. Today Kamehameha Schools stands as a
monument to her wisdom and love for our people.
Many are aware that Kamehameha is a school. Our primary K-12 campuses are located on
Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Many people do not know however that Kamehameha has
provided financial support in sponsoring community pre-schools, charter schools, summer school
and summer enrichment programs as well as post high scholarships for native Hawaiians to
pursue higher education.
Currently Kamehameha is involved in implementing a strategic plan that will impact our Hawaiian
community outside of our school in terms of early education, middle and high school educational
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initiatives and post high scholarships. In addition, opportunities to educate and work with our
Hawaiian families to provide support toward helping to nurture Hawaiian children to excel in
school will be a major focus of Kamehameha's commitment to our native Hawaiian community.
The concept of intergenerational change or transformation will address the many negative
statistics that affect our Hawaiian community today. As our people strive toward success, our
community will benefit.
The vision that we seek in the spirit of Ke Ali' i Pauahi, is our mission to fulfill her desire to create
educational opportunities that enhance the capability and well-being of people of Hawaiian
ancestry.
In closing, I ask that you consider all that Kamehameha Schools provides for our Hawaiian
community in order to build a better tomorrow and future for the children of Hawaiian ancestry.
Mahalo!
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