• Pauahi’s wishes must be respected Pauahi’s wishes must be respected Years ago in the 70s a young man wanted to attend a law school in California and was denied, due to the V.C. system that gave preference to a
• Pauahi’s wishes must be respected
Pauahi’s wishes must be respected
Years ago in the 70s a young man wanted to attend a law school in California and was denied, due to the V.C. system that gave preference to a “percentage of minorities.” Though the young man battled the system, he eventually won, went on to become an attorney, and wrote a book about the experience.
I remember asking my father about the case. He said, “The most qualified, the one with the best scores and results should go to the law school. Apparently, this guy was qualified.”
I am torn between my final response to this because it reminds me of Kamehameha Schools. Now I am of the minority, but I believe in standards of acceptance, and standards that qualify.
I also believe you can be of Hawaiian ancestry or you can be Hawaiian at heart and honor, respect and love our past royals. I think DOE and Mohica-Cummings need to honor Pauahi’s wishes for Kamehameha Schools. Pauahi laid the foundation down and we should as Hawaiians or non-Hawaiians respect her wishes.
My father, Alexander Konia Hilo, was the class president of the sophomore class of Kamehameha in 1951. He went on to become a successful businessman in the wholesale floral industry in San Francisco. James “Hilo” Laymance, my uncle graduated from Kamehameha and became a policeman and minister. Walter Laymance, “my favorite” uncle became a kumu under the guidance of Kau‘i Zuttermeister. They are all gone now – I loved all of them and that is why I’m writing this letter. I think it is very important to always remember as Hawaiians, who we are, and where we came from.
God gave me each of them to love and remember and I feel truly blessed.
Maile Hilo
Student Pilot (navigator) and Flight Attendant,
Pacifica, CA
