Kamehameha Schools Hosts Second Annual Research Conference

October 25, 2004

Contributed by Kekoa Paulsen

The purpose of the conference is to improve the education and well-being of Native Hawaiians by sharing research from multiple perspectives. Last year's conference confirmed the power of being able to connect with researchers and service providers across a broad range of disciplines, including education, health, culture and language, family and society, and environmental studies. This year's conference strives to continue this momentum. Guest speakers include:

Kekuni Blaisdell, M.D. – An emeritus professor of medicine with the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, Blaisdell is the co-founder of E Ola Mau, an organization of Hawaiian health professionals.

Pualani Kanahele – A professor of Hawaiian Studies and chair of the Humanities Department at Hilo Community College, Kanahele is also the kumu hula of Halau O Kekuhi, founded by her mother, the late Edith Kanakaole.

Ben Young, M.D. – Dr. Young is the keynote speaker for the conference. Young is the founder and director of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns Schools of Medicine at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. He was founder of the 'Imi Ho'ola program at the university and has served as vice president and former dean of student affairs. A founding member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, he was part of the first voyage from Tahiti to Hawai'i.

Rona T. Halualani, Ph.D. – She is the author of In the Name of Hawaiians: Native Identities and Cultural Politics and is an assistant professor of communication studies at San Jose State University.

Noenoe K. Silva, Ph.D. – Silva is the author of Aloha Betrayed: Native Hawaiian Resistance to American Colonialism and is an associate professor of political science and Hawaiian language at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa.

Another highlight of the conference is the panel on Hawaiian Voyaging at 3:30 p.m. on October 29. Panelists include Kalepa Babayan, captain/navigator for Hokule'a, Hokualaka'i and Hawai'iloa; Chadd Paishon, captain/co-navigator/crew member for Makali'i, Iosepa and Hokule'a; Shantell Ching, crew member and navigator for Hokule'a and Hawai'iloa; and Ka'iulani Murphy, crew member, Hokule'a.

For more information about this conference or for on-site media assistance, please contact RaeDeen Karasuda at 429-7166. An electronic version of the conference brochure is available upon request.

Kamehameha Schools is a statewide educational system founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Currently, more than 5,700 students of Hawaiian ancestry are enrolled in K-12 campuses on three islands and at more than 30 preschool sites statewide. An additional 145,000+ Hawaiian learners are also being served through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, distance learning programming, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawaii and across the continental United States.