Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 11, 1 November 1987 — Facts and Figures [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Facts and Figures

By Gordan Frazier ,

Education forHawaiians

Whether it be academic or cultural, Hawaiians have always considered education important. Data from the 1980 Census ean attest to this. According to thecensus bureau, in 1980 there were 53,993 Hawaiians 25 years and older. Sixty-eight percent of these Hawaiians had graduated from high school and many of these had gone on to college or a professional school. While 46 percent of Hawaiian high school graduates did not go on to college, 7,742 or 14 percent had some college training and 4,171 or 7 percent completed four or more years of college. The graph titled "YEARS OF SCHOOL COMPLETED" illustrates this.

The second graph titled "PERCENT ENROLLED IN SCHOOL BY AGE" shows that nearly all Hawaiians go to school from the time they are five years old until they are 17. Even after the age of 17, many Hawaiians eontinue their education. Also, a large number of very young Hawaiians go to school, as the graph shows, 36 percent of three and four-year-olds are enrolled in preschool. Even after the age of 25 some Hawaiians continue their education — though they may have full time jobs and even families. While it is difficult to pursue an education while working and raising a family, many Hawaiians are doing just that.

Americans consume 20 to 25 times more sodium than they need, and sodium ean contribute to high blood pressure in sensitive individuals says the American Heart Association.