Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 6, 1 June 1988 — Credits Willie Chai for Educational Success [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Credits Willie Chai for Educational Success

Chun Addresses Values; Reflects on School Years

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Dr. Miehael Chun, first person of Hawaiian ancestry to be appointed president of Kamehameha Schools, reflected on his days as a student at the Kapalama Heights campus and spoke of values in his first ever public engagement May 11 before members of his own Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club at the Wailana Restaurant. It was his first public address as president of the Schools since his appointment was announced earlier in May. Chun ,serves as a director on the board of Prince Kuhio HCC. While admitting to many changes over the years, he nonetheless reflected how niee it is to wistfully remember the past. "However," he explained, "we cannot got back to the way it was when we were there. Students are different, teachers are different, the campus is different and our society is different." "But what we ean do," he suggested, "is to take from the past the values that we have learned and the life experiences that we have shared as Hawaiians growing up in Hawaii . . . as good and industrious men and women . . ,and to pass on these values and experiences to new generations." Chun explained he consented to his first public speaking engagement "with a sense of deep humility and great pride because it is only through the efforts of Hawaiians before me that the presidency of the Kamehameha Schools was opened for a Hawaiian today." He said he was proud to be the first Hawaiian to be named to the position. "I share the hopes, dreams and aspirations of our people that there will be a better Hawai'i for our children," he declared. Chun reminded his audience of the words written by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop in her will of 1883: "... I desire my trustees to provide . . . instruction in morals and in such useful knowledge as may tend to make good and industrious men and women; . . "lsn't it interesting that now more than 100 years later the State Board of Education has introduced 'values education' as part of its new curriculum requirements?" he asked. He went on to explain that "what they are saying is that the making of 'good and industrious men and women' is as important to our society and community today as it has always been, and will always be, to the Kamehameha Schools." Chun said his heart has always been with Kamehameha after an association of more than 40 years with the school as a student, parent and alumnus. "Isn't it amazing," he asked, "that the guidelines set down for us by our Princess over 100 years ago are still applicable today?" The president-designate, who graduated from Kamehameha in 1961, paid special tribute in his flashback to "an extraordinary individual who played an essential part in my education, not only as a eoaeh but as a caring person who made sure I continued my education long after I had left Kamehameha."

It was through the efforts of Coach Wuhe Chai that 1 got a football scholarship whieh allowed me to go to college. He kept watch over me for many years afterwards, and he will be remembered as the kind of eoaeh who was more concerned with his players than he was about winning the game," Chun recalled. Chai, who passed away several years ago, was an assistant football eoaeh under his older brother, Calvin. The latter, who has since retired, was also the school's athletic director, a post currently held by Irvin Kau. The assistant athletic director and new football eoaeh is Sen. Milton Holt, another Kamehameha graduate who went on to stardom in football and baseball at Harvard University. Chun also reflected on his kindergarten years, Junior Poliee Officers and crossing the street

corner, his Hawaiian teachers who brought a speeial understanding and love for our Hawaiian heritage into my life"; music teachers Dorothy Kahananui Gillett and Harold Turney as a team "certainly never to be forgotten"; "Theme of the Week" programs; Col. Harold Kent's final speech test; boarding; ROTC uniforms; the fun of sports competition; bonds of friendship; close friends; and many more reflections. He explained he was sharing these reflections not only because it is fun to relive fond memories, but also to illustrate that while people and pro-

grams may change, the values that will eventually determine "our success as individuals and as a people do not." In conclusion, Chun saidu "As Hawaiians today we stand on the threshold of a new life. What vast panoramas will open before us, none ean say. They are there, just beyond the horizon, just over there, and they are of a magnificence and a diversity far beyond the comprehension of anyone here today. The new world that lies before us has no boundaries. It has no lost horizons. Its limits are as broad as the spirit and the imagination of man. "I have an abiding faith in the future of Kamehameha, in the future of Hawaiians, in the future of Hawai'i. That faith is grounded in the invincible character of the Hawaiian people. It has never failed to triumph in our hours of adversity and peril; and, as it has in the past, it will again restore our land the serenity of hope. To that end, I an happy to be among so distinguished a company as this and look forward to working together with you to build that bright future for our children." Chun said that among other things he was looking forward to is opening his campus home to as many groups and individuals as possible. "I know that few graduates remember what the inside of the president's home looks like. Please know that ours will be a warm and welcoming home in the tradition of Hawaii and you of course will be some of our very first guests." The family home currently is in Kaneohe. One of the questions asked following Chun's talk was the probability of establishing Kamehameha campuses throughout the state. Chun replied he liked the idea of a statewide Kamehameha but that there were no definite ideas or plans at the moment.

Dr. Miehael Chun, president-designate of Kamehameha Schools, makes his first puhlie address May 11 before members of his own Prince Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club at the Wailana Restaurant. At left is club president Kinau Boyd Kamali'i.