Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 12, 1 December 1986 — Kanahele, Inouye Stand Tall as Medal Recipients [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kanahele, Inouye Stand Tall as Medal Recipients

Amona Outstandina American Citizens

Two prominent Hawaii-born men, one of them a Hawaiian, were among the first 25 outstanding American citizens honored Oct. 28 at an Ellis Island ceremony for those "who have distinguished themselves in their respective fields of endeavor, while preserving the values of their particular' heritage groups." George Hu'eu Sanford Kanahele, businessman, scholar, educator, author and civic leader, and U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye were the only two from Hawaii presented with the Ellis Island Medals of Honor at the Oct. 28 ceremony. Both were personally on hand to accept the big and handsome medal attached with a red, white and blue ribbon.

lt was a proud moment for Hawaii, Hawaiians and Japanese Americans. The two men were selected from among 15,000 nominations throughout the nation. Neither person knows who made the nominations on their behalf. The selection of a Hawaiian is even more significant because individuals from many more ethnic groups were not chosen. In appreciation for this latest honor and the publication of his two most recent books — "Ku Kanaka, Stand Tall: A Search for Hawaiian Values," and "Pauahi: The Kamehameha Legacy" — Kanahele's 13 sisters and brothers held an 'aha 'aina na hana o Hu'eu on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 2, at one of the family homes in Kaneohe. The congressionally-sponsored Ellis Island Medal of Honor honors the contributions of individuals from eaeh of the major heritage groups as representatives of the nation's entire populahon. The selection process by a special committee of the foundation took several

months to determine the total list of 80 winners, the first 25 of whieh included Dr. Kanahele and Sen. Inouye. The medals, presented jointly by the Statue of Liberty/Ellis lsland Foundation and the New York Statue of Liberty Centennial Commission, are given to

those who "exemplify the ideal of living a life dedicated to the American way while preserving the values or tenets of a particular heritage group; people who have made special contributions to relations between a heritage group and the people in its land of origin; or finally, to individuals who have distinguished themselves in a field, profession or occupation."

At the aha aina, Kanahele īn a brief informal ceremony said he did not expect to be a medal recipient but appreciated the honor on behalf of Hawaii and Hawaiians. He is the only Hawaiian to be so honored and was especially proud a Hawaiian was represented at the Ellis Island ceremony in New York Harbor. Of his book on Pauahi, whieh was written in conjunction with the Kamehameha Schools' centennial observance, Kanahele remarked that "if I were a woman, the woman that I would like to be is Pauahi because she was wise . . . and above all, Hawaiian both in spirit and body."

The author s brother, Albert Momi Kanahele, was master of ceremonies at the 'aha 'aina whieh included about 100 invited friends and family members. In giving a brief account of why the family decided to honor Hu'eu as he is more intimately known, Momi interjected that Ku Kanaka should be required reading in the high schools. "There's a lot to be gained from reading this book by both Hawaiians and nonHawaiians," he noted. Copies of both books were available for sale and - several were picked up. Kanahele personally autographed eaeh copy. Entertainment was provided by Noelani Mahoe and friends of the Kanahele ohana.

Hawaiian entrepreneur and author George Hu'eu Kanahele displays the Ellis Island Medal of Honor at 'aha 'aina given by his brothers and sisters in Kaneohe.