Images of Old Hawaiʻi

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Students Helping Students

When I was a student at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, we had a cooperative program with schools in the town where HPA students were regularly tutoring Waimea Elementary/ Intermediate School students in Math.
I participated in that program; I was helping an algebra student at Waimea Intermediate.
It dawned on me one day that we had students in need at HPA; why weren’t we also helping them?
I approached the administration about this and in their typical fashion they said, great idea, go implement it.
They weren’t being lazy in that response; it was typical, because they encouraged students to think of new ideas and then gave us the freedom to put those ideas to work.
My plan was to partner students successful in Math with students who were having problems, using grades as the basic guideline.
To keep the focus on education, the pairs would use empty classrooms for the tutoring (rather than in the dorm rooms.)
There were lots of volunteers (another lesson taught to us at HPA.)
The school trusted me enough to give me full access to all student records.
That, in itself, is amazing, when you think about it.
I think back on this often; it’s one of my proudest moments.
I am humbled by the extreme level of trust and confidence the school administration placed in me (a high school senior) in fulfilling my commitment to keep all records confidential – to this day, I have honored that responsibility.
Unfortunately, in today’s world of distrust and fear, I don’t see this kind of thing happening for anyone else.
I went through each student’s report card and interim grades and, based on their grades, identified the prospective tutors and tutees.  I also had the student and classroom use schedules.
I contacted each prospect (tutor and tutee) to check their willingness to participate (no one was forced into the program.)
Compatible student volunteers were then matched with students in need and the team was fit in an empty classroom when each had an open period in his schedule.  (Yes, there were also lots of logistical issues in setting this program up.)
I picked the student who was having the hardest time in Math.
The program worked – students were helping students, and those having challenges in Math had the added benefit of getting insights from his peer.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Liquids Coordinator

The Ironman Triathlon World Championship is the initial and ultimate Swim – Bike – Run event.
This type of race (tri-sport) was stated in Hawai‘i and was essentially created for bragging rights by combining the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim, 112-miles of the Around-Oahu Bike Race, followed by the 26.2-mile run of the Honolulu Marathon.
It started on O‘ahu, but its home is now in West Hawai‘i on the Big Island.
For 13-years, I was its Director of Aid Stations (1990-2002.)  We had about 4,000 volunteers and over 30 bike and run aid stations for the 1,200 contestants.  We also had a cadre of coordinators to help oversee the operations.
Each year, I made a point of trying to add another coordinator to my list.  It was more of a challenge and game to think up new ideas for “coordinators.”
This was not only to help spread out the work load, but, more importantly, it was a way to get some of the race swag to more people (coordinators received a special race shirt, had full access to all areas of the race and were invited to special parties.)
Speaking of parties, in the early years it was like pulling teeth to get coordinators to a race planning meeting.
Then, I finally got it.
I started to have wine tasting as a part of the planning meeting.  Not only did everyone show up (early,) they all asked when the next party, errr … meeting was.
This led to my attempt to get a wine person listed as a coordinator for the race (adding coordinators was a big deal to the race (given cost, etc,) so nothing was taken for granted.)
After extensive explanation of the importance of proper hydration in the race, etc, etc, etc, ultimately, the race director agreed to add a “Liquids Coordinator” to the Aid Stations roster.
However, little did they know that these “liquids” were meant for us, not the contestants.  We had a perfect person for the job, Jack Squires, who lives in Napa Valley and managed a cork company. 
However, in offering Jack the job, little did he know I had devised an elaborate practical joke for his initiation.
I worked with the race Medical Director, Bob Laird, on “including” Jack into a series of medical meetings Bob has with his medical crew prior to the race.  They had some seminars dealing with medical concerns related to hydration, etc. 
Bob agreed to sign a letter I wrote inviting Jack to the seminars – we also included reams of medical reports and other paperwork for Jack to review prior to the meetings.
Little did Jack know that I arranged all this with Bob.
Jack diligently reviewed the paperwork prior to getting to Kona.  I recall several phone conversations with Jack after the invitation, where he questioned whether he wanted to participate, or not.
When Jack arrived, we let him in on the joke and told him there were no seminars to attend and he really had only two rules to follow in the Aid Stations Operating Manual, (1) make sure there is plenty of wine for the Aid Stations Coordinators and (2) never forget rule #1.
Of course, we snuck in our own wine into various race parties (some were “alcohol-free.”)  Carbo-loading party is Thursday night of race week – it also was the beginning of our major Aid Stations party.
We’d pre-party at Carbo; then, leave early to go to the Liquids Coordinator’s Party.  Jack did waaay good with those – lots of Napa’s finest.
As a payback to the early prank I played on Jack, over the years those parties also turned into a series of gag-gifts giving to me.
I have to admit, I was particularly fond of the blow-up doll and shark hat given to me at those parties (I still have the hat, but ditched the doll.)
I had a call from Jack a few weeks ago.  He is now vacationing on Moloka‘i.  He returns home today and I will be meeting him at the Honolulu Airport, during a long layover on his return flight.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Holo Holo Kōloa Scenic Byway – Preservation Commendation

I am honored and proud to share with you some great news we just received concerning a project we are working on.
Holo Holo Kōloa Scenic Byway will be recognized with a Preservation Commendation from Historic Hawai‘i Foundation at its 2012 Preservation Honor Awards ceremony for outstanding efforts in preservation through planning and designation of the Holo Holo Kōloa Scenic Byway.
This award is being given to Kōloa Community Association, Mālama Koloa, Po‘ipū Beach Resort Association, HDOT Hawai’i Scenic Byways Program and Ho‘okuleana LLC.
Holo Holo Kōloa Scenic Byway, recently designated a State Scenic Byway, is situated in the historic
Old Kōloa Town and runs down and through the Po’ipu Beach resort area on Kaua‘i’s South Shore.
This region is steeped in history and its various points of interest tell the stories of Hawaii’s people and its evolving socio-economic past.
Along this corridor are significant historic, archaeological, cultural, natural, recreational and scenic resources.
Holo Holo Kōloa gives the traveler a look at the historic and socio-economic evolution of the Hawaiian Islands.
Here many “firsts” took place that ultimately guided this transformation.  This is a corridor with many stories to tell, under the backdrop of its impressive scenic and natural beauty.
We have been assisting Holo Holo Kōloa Scenic Byway in the State designation process, as well as preparing the Corridor Management Plan for the Scenic Byway.
This is our second Scenic Byway project.  We also prepared the Corridor Management Plan for the Royal Footsteps Along The Kona Coast.
Royal Footsteps also received a Historic Hawai‘i Foundation Preservation Commendation, as well as an APA-Hawai‘i Environment-Preservation Award and a Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce Pualu Award for Culture & Heritage.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center Presents “Aloha Lāna‘i”

No plans this weekend?  Problem solved.
Lāna‘i Culture & Heritage Center Presents “Aloha Lāna‘i” a Benefit Fundraising Event on the Island of O‘ahu, Sunday, March 25th, 2012 – Saint Louis High School – Mamiya Theater.
I was early and fortunately got my tickets early; but I understand due to an overwhelming response to the Aloha Lanai Benefit Concert, the event has been sold out.
Not to fret – arrangements have been made for overflow seating in the Saint Louis Presidential Suite adjoining Mamiya Theater.
Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Saint Louis Campus – Mamiya Theater; $30.00 at door.
Outside at 4:00 pm – Strolling musicians; Voices of Lanai Oral History Program; Silent Auction Opportunities viewing and bidding; Food ; Sales of CDs from contributing musicians; Sales of Lanai Culture & Heritage Center Publications and a special “Aloha Lanai” t-shirt.
In the Mamiya Theater at 6:00 pm – Welcome presentations/program background and call to support; Raffle Giveaway and Silent Auction; Music and Hula.
Proceeds benefit heritage, preservation and cultural-historical education programs on Lāna‘i.

by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kauikeaouli – Kamehameha III

When I was a sophomore at University of Denver, I transferred into the business school and changed my major to real estate.
As a student of real estate, I became fascinated with Hawai‘i’s Great Māhele and the actions of Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III.
Prior to the Māhele, the king controlled everything; he delegated authority to some of the land to his favored chiefs.
Although the chiefs controlled the land and extracted food and labor from the commoners who farmed the soil, “everyone had rights of access and use to the resources of the land and the sea … The people were sustained by a tradition of sharing and common use.”
The Great Māhele did not convey land, but established a land commission and provided the means whereby land claims could be presented to the commission and decided by them.
Ultimately, it transformed land tenure from feudal/communal trusteeship to private ownership.
It turns out that the Māhele is not my only tie to Kamehameha III.  In doing research for various planning projects we have been involved with, I learned of Kamehameha III’s ties back to Hiram Bingham, my great-great-great grandfather.
While doing a Master Plan, Cultural Impact Assessment and Environmental Assessment for DHHL on their lands on Mauna Kea, I learned that Bingham and Kamehameha III traveled to the summit of Mauna Kea together.  Mauna Kea is a very special place for me.
In doing some preliminary research for another planning project on Kaua‘i, I learned that Bingham and Kamehameha III interacted with each other there, as well.
Since I spent a lot of time in Kona, I was aware that Kauikeaouli’s Birthsite was in Keauhou.  This is one of the featured sites in the Royal Footsteps Along the Kona Coast Scenic Byway; we prepared its Corridor Management Plan.
Kauikeaouli spent the first 5-years of his life in the ‘O‘oma ahupua‘a in Kona (the place where he first learned to be a king.)  For the past five years, I have been working on planning and permitting on the coastal part of the ‘O‘oma ahupua‘a.
In 1846, Kamehameha III and the legislature passed a law declaring “the forests and timber growing therein shall be considered government property” in an effort to conserve the forests from further encroachment on the seaward side by the plantations’ need for fuel and on the mountain side from grazing animals.
The Forest Reserves in the state are managed by DLNR; as Director of DLNR, I oversaw the activities and was responsible for DLNR’s Forestry and Wildlife Division, which oversees the State’s forested lands.
Interesting; somehow I feel a link – I feel close to Kauikeaouli.  (Whenever his name comes up, I have anticipation on learning more about him.)
I wonder how our next project will link me back to Kauikeaouli – Kamehameha III.
Kauikeaouli was stillborn, but was revived.  He was the second son of Kamehameha I. 
The younger brother of Liholiho, he served as Hawai‘i’s King from 1825 to 1854.  Kauikeaouli was only about 10 or 11 when he ascended to the throne and had the longest reign in Hawaiian history.
In the early years of his rule, he served under a regency with Ka`ahumanu, his father’s favorite queen, as joint ruler.
In addition relinquishing his ownership and control of lands through the Great Māhele, a major gift to the people of Hawai‘i, Kauikeaouli also initiated other beneficial programs for his people.
Kamehameha III promulgated the Declaration of Rights, called Hawai‘i’s Magna Charta, on June 7, 1839, the Edict of Toleration on June 17, 1839 and the first constitution on October, 8, 1840.
Kauikeaouli’s second major gift to the Hawaiian people was when he granted the common people the right to participate in governing the Hawaiian Kingdom.
This first written constitution for Hawai‘i contained several innovations, including a representative body of legislators elected by the people.  It also set up a supreme court.  The first compilation of laws was published in 1842.
His exact birth date is not known; however, the generally accepted date is August 11, 1813.
Never-the-less, Kauikeaouli was an admirer of Saint Patrick and chose to celebrate his birthday on March 17 (today.)
Happy Birthday and Cheers to Kauikeaouli, Kamehameha III.  I think I’ll have a Guinness (or two) tonight in his honor.