Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 7, 1 July 1989 — Saluting UH's Hawaiian Grads [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Saluting UH's Hawaiian Grads

By Kalama K. Akamine Operation Kua'ana

For many young people, summer is the beginning of a three month vacation from the daily grind of classes, teachers, and homework. For a speeial group of Hawaiian students who graduated from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in Mav. sum-

mer is a benchmark in a new life filled with potential and promise. Many of the graduates will be tuming to the job market while others recuperate this summer and begin their quest for post-graduate degrees in the fall. Whether graduates enter the job market or eontinue in academic pursuits, there is one point that every Hawaiian graduating from the University must take to heart. As Hawaiians who have garnered the fruits of higher education, they ean never forget that they have a responsibility as emerging leaders in our communities and as symbols of achievement for our young. They cannot forget they have a responsibility to use their skill to promote the rise of ka lahui Hawai'i. Of the nearly 1,840 students who participated in the commencement exercise this spring 62 were of Hawaiian ancestry. While we are proud of these students it must be pointed out that we must increase the number of graduates beyond this 3.3% percent level. For our survival, it is imperative that Hawaiians attend institutions of higher education and graduate. Operation Kua'ana would like to recognize these graduates and their families for the determination and sacrifice that they have exhibited in their quest for academic achievement and excellenee.