Native Hawaiian Education Summit Takes First Steps

Honolulu, HI—June 15, 2006 -- Sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and hosted by Chaminade University of Honolulu, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs will present the Native Hawaiian Education Summit – Phase One on Friday, June 16 starting at 3:30 p.m. through Saturday, June 17 at 4p.m. at the Chaminade’s Ching Center.  More than 175 native Hawaiians are expected from across the state to gather in order to create an educational system for a Hawaiian nation. Phase One will bring together the grassroots of the community – all walks of life, all ages-- to identify values, vision and outcomes native Hawaiians see as necessary for a foundation of an educational system.  “We believe that education is the key to self determination,” said Joseph Lapilio, Co-Chair of the Native Hawaiian Education Summit and educator.

In 2005, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs approved a resolution to begin a planning process to create an educational system for the Hawaiian nation.  This weekend’s summit is only the first of four phases to take place during the next four years.  Phase Two includes a year long community information gathering process to share the results of the June summit and hear the mana’o (voice) of at least 5,000 native Hawaiians statewide.  In Phase Three, a second summit planned for 2007 will be much larger and inclusive, shaping the framework for a native Hawaiian educational system.  In Phase Four, summit organizers hope to implement a training program for community educational leaders who will become the forefront in implementing the vision. For more information, please contact the Hawai’i Maoli office at (808) 394-0050.

Organizers who can be reached for interviews include:

• Joseph Lapilio, Co-Chair of the Native Hawaiian Education Summit, at (808) 265-3975
• Collin Kippen, Executive Director with the native Hawaiian Educational Council, at (808) 523-6432 or (808) 620-4579
• Henry Halenani Gomes, associate provost for CUH day undergrad students, at (808) 735-4750
• Claire Pruet, Chaminade’s director of Student Resource Development, at (808) 5620-3115.

Celebrating 50 years of educating students for life, service and successful careers, Chaminade University offers a liberal arts curriculum with day, evening, online and accelerated courses. The main campus is located in Kaimuki at 3140 Waialae Ave., Honolulu, HI  96816, with 10 satellite locations around Oahu military bases and Catholic parishes and schools.  For more information, visit the Chaminade University website at www.chaminade.edu or call (808) 735-4711.