Aug. 1, 2019

Contributed by Ben Balberdi

Alvin Pau‘ole has accomplished a lot in his life since graduating from Kamehameha Schools in 1956. He was the first minority in the nation to be selected to the Navy’s Nuclear Power Training Program, the only Native Hawaiian to serve as chief engineer of a nuclear reactor plant, and the only Hawaiian to command a fast attack nuclear submarine and a squadron of nuclear submarines.

The 30-year veteran credits his achievements to his upbringing on Kaua‘i and the education he received at KS.

“I’m grateful for what Kamehameha Schools has done in preparing us to be successful beyond high school,” said Pau‘ole. “I’d like to see many more Hawaiians achieve great things and maybe one day we’ll even have a Hawaiian president of the United States.”

After retiring in 1990 as a captain with numerous medals, Pau‘ole went on to a successful post-military career including work as the plant manager at the U. S. Department of Energy’s Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant in Denver, Colo., and time as a vice president at Brown & Caldwell in Seattle, Wash.  

Being a leader in nuclear engineering fueled his desire to create similar opportunities for Native Hawaiians. To that end, Pau‘ole cofounded the Pacific American Foundation, which prepares young Hawaiians for careers in fields ranging from robotics to finance.

Most recently, as a board member for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association (PFSMA), Pau‘ole helped to foster a partnership between PFSMA and the Pauahi Foundation to create the USS Kamehameha Scholarship for Native Hawaiians pursuing degrees in STEM or business-related fields.

Despite being retired, Pau‘ole will continue to dedicate his time and experience to helping the next generation of leaders succeed—a passion he developed

“Kamehameha Schools taught us that giving back to your community is pono,” Pau‘ole said. “I’ve been blessed in so many ways in life that sharing my knowledge and working to help others is my kuleana as a Hawaiian.”