Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 23, Number 6, 1 June 2006 — Greater appreciation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Greater appreciation

Donald B. Cataluna TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau

Editor's note: This month, Trustee Cataīuna shares his eoīumn space with Kepa Gaison, a 19 year-o!d sophomore at the University of Utali, and a 2005 graduate of the Kamehameha SchooIs Kapālama Campus. Inever really knew how lucky I was to be Hawaiian, let alone be from Hawai'i, until I went away to college. Growing up with Hawaiian values and attending Kamehameha Schools, I was accustomed to being surrounded by other Hawaiians who shared the same values as me. I knew going away to college would be a whole different story, but it was the experience of something new that was appealing. Living in Hawai'i all my life, it was shocking to see how different the mainland was from my home. Everything generally moved at a mueh faster paee compared to the laid-back island lifestyle I was used to. Adapting to the extreme weather conditions was another big thing for me. I have never been so hot or so cold before. Meanwhile, I was trying to figure out what it was that was so different from home. It was the mainland culture that was the biggest difference. The mainland mentality is pretty mueh "every man for himself." People do what they need to do to benefit them and no more. Not saying that it's wrong, because there are times when it's only fitting to do what benefits one's self, but

I was just accustomed to the almost exact opposite of that. I was used to the mentality of doing everything I could to help out someone else in need, because I knew they would do the same for me if the roles were reversed. To me, it was all the little things that just weren't the same. I miss the simple gestures of embracing others when we meet. I miss seeing people wave in appreciation to others who let them go before them while driving. I miss being on Hawaiian time and coming late to a gathering that started half an hour ago, but most of all I miss the "aloha spirit." The funny thing about it was that I carried that "aloha spirit" with me all throughout the mainland embracing everyone I met, and people would constantly tell me that Hawaiians are such kind and happy people. Being able to hear coimnents like that about my people was heart warming and made me so proud to be a Hawaiian. Since being home I have had the opportunity to intern at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, assisting Trustee Donald Cataluna, his secretary and aide in all of their office work. Being able to work alongside these individuals who work everyday to help benefit the Hawaiian people has been an awesome experience. I'm forever grateful for the ehanee to be a part of that, and for all of the knowledge I've gained from eaeh individual at OHA. Hawai'i truly is a plaee unlike any other, unique in its culture and people. The values that Hawaiians hold are priceless and the love that we share with one another is unconditional. Those little things are what set us apart from all other cultures, and it's through all of this that I have gained a "greater appreciation," of my culture ... I am Hawaiian! E3

LEO 'ELELE • TRUSTEE M ESSAGES