Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 10, 1 October 1992 — Hawaiian collegiate finds way to study in Japan [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian collegiate finds way to study in Japan

by Pearl Leialoha Page

Kawehi Kala'au is a native Hawaiian college student who wants to help people from different cultures understand one another, especially the Japanese and Americans. She had studied Japanese for seven years, but wanted more than language studies. She wanted to experienee the culture. That meant going to Japan, but how could she afford it? Her parents, Marlene Kanoelani, an

employee with Hawaiian Airlines, and Eben Kaha'aheo Kala'au, a full-blooded

Hawaiian now retired from the fire department,

had already done so mueh. The ansv/er was to apply for scholarships and student exchange programs. Kala'au, a 21-year-old Punahou lgraduate, is one of six students ] accepted into the student exchange I program from her home campus, the University of Washington, where she majors in journalism and eommunieations. She is now taking seven courses at Tokyo's prestigious Aoyama

Gakuin University, a pnvate school of international politics and economics. Four of her seven classes are in Japanese. She considers herself lucky to have been selected. "The program is very competitive, last year I applied and was named as an alternate," she said. This year was different. Getting accepted was only half of the equation, however. She needed a sponsor to help her with books, transportation and rent. Kala'au found that assistance at the Rotary Club of Honolulu, who sponsored her for the Rotary Foundation Scholarship. As a Rotary scholar, she is receiving about $20,000 to meet her expenses. In exchange, Kala'au acts as an ambassador of good will by attending meetings of the Rotary in Tokyo, where she tells the membership about life in Hawai'i and Seattle. "Since I understand the Japanese culture, I'd like to see myself as a bridge. A lot of Americans don't understand Japanese, and Japanese don't understand Americans," she saia. Kala'au is also required to address Rotary groups in Hawaii and Washington about what she's learned about Japan and the Japanese way of doing business. After just four months at the

Japanese University, Kala'au says she's seen how a company's management style stems from its country' s culture. " We eall them rotary ambassadors now," says Bob Fujii, vice president, Bank of Hawaii and chairman of the Rotary Scholar Alumni Association. "We've had a large number of native Hawaiians participate in these programs," he said, referring to the Rotary Foundation Scholarship Program and the Rotary Group Study Exchange for young professionals. Rotary scholar applications for fall 1993 will eonūnueā on page 14

Kawehi Kala'au

I pay my parents back by trying hard and getting good grades. --Kawehi Kala'au

Study in Japan from page 7

be available in January 1993 with selections being made in the summer of 1993. Applicants applying for a non-English speaking country must pass a language proficiency test, in addition to answering a number of lengthy essay questions, and must be knowledgeable about their community. Those who are not bi-lingual may list preferences for colleges in Canada, Australia or England. There are 30 Rotary chapters in Hawai'i. Eaeh one reviews applieations they receive and chooses one or two to be considered at the district level. A committee then interviews all of the applicants endorsed by the various chapters and makes its recommendations to Rotary International, who then assigns scholars to specific countries taking into consideration the applicant's preferences, Fujii explained.

"The amount of the award varies according to the country and the school," he said. Generally, it's enough to meet the expenses for one academic year of study, he said. In addition, a loeal Rotarian is assigned as a sponsor to help the student get settled, find his/her way around and act as a resource per-

son. "The Rotarians are the best in their field, and they take very good care of me," Kala'au said. For instance, if she wants to attend a play or other cultural event or wants to tour a Japanese company, the Rotarians in Japan provide the tickets or make the arrangements. "I'm glad to say I'm from Hawai'i," Kala'au said. "The Japanese love Hawai'i." She has danced hula at a eouple of social, school occasions and was well received, she said. However, she says the differences between the two cultures have helped her appreciate the freedom she has at home. "I toured one Japanese company and saw only men," she said. "I asked them if I were employed by this company what would I do? 'Pour tea' was the answer." Kala'au's advice to high school seniors going to Mainland colleges is to be prepared to teach as well as learn. "Speak your mind, even when it's not part of your culture to do so — just do it. There's a lot of ignorance out there about Hawai'i," she said. " If you don't say anything, they're not going to know any beaer," she said.