I was a guest speaker in Waianae for adolescent and adult education. Despite the age difference that spans 40-50 years, the haumana were discussing issues of ceded lands and homelessness as their assignment. In the process of the discussion, a time line was drawn indicating different ages of milestones (degree, children, teaching, etc).BIRTH---EARLY CHILDHOOD----MIDDLE----ADOLESCENCE--YOUNG ADULT---ADULT--GERONTOLOGYThese are the general stages of human development.0------------------------18(graduate)---------------25---------------30------------35-----------40--------45---------50---------55---------60-----DeathGiven this time line, they were asked to plot their life (marriage, children, college, etc). The time line is broken into 5 year increments. Life is to short to be wasted if your choice is to drop out of school. The attrition rate is higher among kanaka maoli therefore indicating that teachings in the U.S. schools are insufficient to meet the diverse needs of our po'e.Therefore, a strong emphasis of why READING and WRITING skills are necessary tools to understand dominant culture. Values and beliefs differ from dominant culture, but it is our kuleana to keep our children in school.If you are a struggling learner, let us know how we can support you in school. For myself, it was becoming involved in the Hawaiian Club at Kaua'i Community College the empowered me to persist. What do you do to promote higher education? We all need positive role models and perhaps "grass roots" efforts are needed to address attrition. What do you think?
I will be starting a scholarship fund for kanaka maoli who resides on the Leeward Coast for higher education! Must be a resident and attend an accredited college or university with emphasis in teaching. More information of the new foundation will be released later. I started collaborating with po'e who have shown interest in it. We are always looking for great role models too.
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