UH president praises BYU-Hawaii for its Pacific island contributions
The University of Hawaii included three BYU-Hawaii alumni in its inaugural 2006 "Stars of Oceania" recognition and scholarship fundraising program on November 14 in Waikiki, while a number of others from BYUH, the Polynesian Cultural Center and the community were also honored or participated.
UH started the new program "to recognize individuals and organizations for their contributions to the business/economic, community and cultural development of Pacific islanders within the state of Hawaii." The funds raised go toward establishing a scholarship for UH students from the Pacific islands or who are doing work that benefits Pacific islanders.
The honored alumni are:
- Kalolaine "Kalo" Mataele Soukop ('60), who was named a "Shining Star" for pioneering or being the "first to achieve in fields where there was [previously] little or no representation from Oceania." Soukop's many accomplishments since graduating from Church College of Hawaii include being the first woman and first Polynesian named to the Polynesian Cultural Center board of directors; producer and director of the Kalo South Seas Village Revue; President & CEO of Kalo South Seas Travel; founder and CEO of the Tongan Cultural Society; and being a relative and special associate to the royal family of Tonga.
- Sione Tuione Pulotu ('68), who was named a "Guiding Star" as a master voyaging canoe carver and for promoting "island values and adding to the richness of aloha in Hawaii and Pacific communities." Pulotu, who came to Laie from Tonga as a labor missionary to help build the Church College of Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center, taught himself carving and has since enriched not only the PCC with his creations but also many other places throughout Hawaii. Most recently he served as a master carver for BYUH's 57-foot traditional wa'a kaulua or twin-hulled Hawaiian Studies sailing canoe, Iosepa. He previously carved a 105-foot double-hulled Tongan kalia in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
- Pulefano Galea'i ('92), who was also named a "Guiding Star." Galea'i, PCC Cultural Artistic Director, was cited as a cultural advocate and entrepreneur, for using his "cultural knowledge associated with family and traditional skills...to promote community development among Pacific island immigrants to Hawaii, many of whom come with little formal education." The citation also indicated he has "encouraged the use of traditional knowledge rooted in family values and cultural skills in earning a living, in teaching in the schools and as models for community development and security."
The other UH "stars" included entertainment business owners Tihati "Jack" and Cha Thompson; Lubuw Falanruw, an interactive software development entrepreneur; Pius "Mau" Pialug who was instrumental in resurrecting traditional navigational skills among Hawaiians; kupuna Malia Craver for her reconciliation work through Hawaiian ho'oponopono; Honolulu Mayor Muliufi "Mufi" Hannemann; and Hokule'a master navigator Nainoa Thompson.
Others with ties to the university and community who participated included actor and emcee Al Harrington, chanter Kamaki Kanahele ('68), and a group from the Polynesian Cultural Center who presented ho'okupu performance offerings to the "stars." The PCC was also a program sponsor.
UH system President David McClain described the inaugural "stars" as "10 stellar Pacific islanders who are role models for us all."
During his remarks McClain also recognized BYU-Hawaii President Eric B. Shumway, who was in the audience, and said, "We all know what Brigham Young Hawaii does for the Pacific island nations." His comment drew loud applause.
In his keynote address David Cohen, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Insular Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior — who is part Samoan and Tongan, spoke of outstanding Polynesian athletes who inspire Pacific island youth, and added he hopes young people will also be inspired in academics.
"Why can't we translate the pride, the warrior spirit and the will to win that enables us to achieve great things on the battlefield and on the athletic field to the field of academics?" Cohen said. He also compared gaining an education to the process of getting a Samoan pe'a or tattoo: "Number one, both can be a painful experience. Number two, both stay with you for the rest of your life. And number three...if you start it, but don't finish it, it's very shameful."
"Let's make sure we're doing right by the next generation. Keep the best and improve the rest. Let's make sure the next generation has the tools that it needs to succeed," Cohen said. "Let's make sure that the next generation understands the true value of education...and that we ourselves understand [it]. And when we truly reach that understanding, and fully embrace it within our cultures, then we — as a people — can truly say that we have finished our tattoo."
Emcee Al Harrington, who graduated from Punahou and then from Stanford, added, "In the process of getting education, don't lose the aloha spirit."