Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 10, 1 October 1991 — Kaulukukui honored as life role model [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kaulukukui honored as life role model

By Christina Zarobe Assistant Editor Pull out any edition of the Honolulu newspapers from the past ha!f centuru and you'll probably find at least one photo of Unele Tommy Kaulukukui, Sr. From the sports pages in early years to the news section more recently, articles accompanied by a grinning mugshot of Unele Tommy have seemed almost a staple in the dailies. As a football, basketball and baseball player, later a university eoaeh and currently an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee, he has played a role in not only the destiny of Hawai'i but the lives of many young people. Numerous awards, proclamations, and resolutions from various organizations and government agencies are already displayed on Unele Tommy's office walls. Spend as mueh time working in community service as this Kalihi native and people take notice On Oct. 26, the West Honolulu Rotary Club will take its turn honoring Unele Tommy with the organization's David Malo Award. The recognition is bestowed upon someone who has "made a noteworthy contribution to the perpetuation and preservation of the Hawaiian culture," according to David Dingeman, a member of the selection committee. A revered Hawaiian figure, Malo authored the book "Hawaiian Antiquities," whieh details the ancient history, religion and customs of the" Hawaiian people. He was born in Keauhou, Kona around 1793. Malo's knowledge about the traditions, legends and myths of Hawai'i at that time eame from the years he spent in the court of Kuakini, a brotherof Queen Kaahumanu, on the Big Island. Malo's lifetime achievements included his fight for the government to pay wages to teachers on Maui. He was Hawaii's first superintendant of puhlie education and the last Hawaiian to hold the post. In 1844, he waslicensedtopreachand,atthe same time, served as a member of the House of Representatives becoming active in the Great Mahele, or land division. "He was an innovator in many, many ways," says Dingeman. Upon learning of his selection, Unele Tommy reacted the way any good educator might have — he researched Malo. "He was called a renaissance man — ahead of his time so to speak. I think he did a lot for our people." Although modest, he found some similarities between himself and Malo. "He was an educator,

okay I was an educator. Then I saw he wrote and I'm in the process of writing a book about my life. I also wrote a thesis in 1941 about sports in high schools in Hawai'i." Unele Tommy received a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Hawai'i and later studied at Michigan State Uniuersity in East Lansing where he served on Biggie Munn's football coaching staff. He has been named everything from Father of the Year to Coach of the Year. He and his wife of 51 years, Felice, have three children. Since 1981 when OHA was established, Unele Tommy has served as a trustee. His opinions on being Hawaiian are resolute. "I am saying if I ean do it, you ean. Regardless of whether you're Hawaiian, Chinese or whatever," he says. "If we intend to keep our culture, our identity in life, then somebody has to be doing something. Otherwise it will die. I think there are many people who could do a lot of things." The history of the award extends back to 1957,

when the West Honolulu Rotary Club , whieh recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, decided the time was right to identify and honor a Hawaiian who had made strides in maintainingthe Hawaiian culture. The first David Malo recipient was Mary Kawena Pukui, author of the Hawaiian dictionary. Other honorees have ranged from entertainers and educators to athletes and politicians including Duke Kahanamoku and state Rep. Henry Peters. And as for this year's man of the hour. Dingeman's praise of Unele Tommy is matter of fact but genuine. "He contributed in so many ways. Among other things as a ro!e model. He used the sports vehicle to go on for an education. He became a very prominent athlete — a roie model. He became an educator — a role model. And now he is with OHA and he is the only one who has been there since day one. "All of that added up to picking Tommy It's the role model part that is significant as far as Unele Tommy goes. He has helped and he has preser.ved." says Dingeman. When Unele Tommy talks ābout his life, there is a sense of honor to it. He believes that, in some way, people have to "give something back to society." The fact that someone has acknowledged his contributions seems to be the proverbial frosting on the eake to Unele Tommy. "Every time I get one (an award) I always think 'Why me?' But I'm always proud," says Unele Tommy. "I would like to guess there e re ma> y people who have arcomplished things without fanfare. They could receive the award too." Perhaps one of Unele Tommv's sons, Donald, best illustrates his father's approachto living life. Something his father onee told him stayed with Donald Kaulukukui over the years. Today, it serves as a tribute to a man who refused to recognize limitations yet returned to the Hawaiian people everything he gained. "Greatness: The ability to extend one's will desire, and determination to overcome what would otherwise be considered impossible." The awards ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 in Coral Ballroom #3 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Tickets, $40 and include dinne> and entertainment. For details on ticket purchases, contact Dr. Stanley Wong at 1600 Kapi'oleni Blvd. Suite 1021, Honolulu, 96814 or eall 955-3522.

U)ē3I 0(H 0 'Ao'ao Eiwa (Page 9)

-O O o .e </> •C -e u £ o o

Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr.

Thomas K. Kaulukukui, Sr. and Gov. John Waihee share congratulations at the OHA land entitlements bill signing.