September 27, 2006, marked the 53rd annual awards ceremony for recipients of the Order of Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Award. Established in 1956, this award was created to honor those who have strived to exemplify the values and vision of Kamehameha Schools’ founder, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, and those who have made lifetime contributions to Kamehameha Schools. The award was extended beyond the Kamehameha Schools ‘ohana in 2003 to recognize members of the larger Hawaiian community who have made outstanding contributions to the lāhui as a whole.  The "present-day lamakū" honored this year were Mary Malia Craver, Roy Leonard Benham, and Kū Kahakalau.

"We are so privileged to be here as one ‘ohana to honor these cherished people," shared CEO Dee Jay Mailer, during her welina and opening remarks. "They’ve followed in the Princess’ path.  Pauahi is a lamakū -- mahalo to these individuals for being our present-day lamakū."

Aunty Malia Craver is described as a passionate mentor, spiritual advisor, traditional healer, and haku ho‘oponopono fluent in the Hawaiian language who believes education is the key to success. She was born in Ho‘okena in 1927 and raised by her grandparents who took her as their hānai daughter, ensuring she would be a keeper of the culture at a time when most young people were not interested in the "old ways."

"That ‘ōpū is for us," her grandmother told Aunty Malia’s mother, who, at the time, did not even know she was pregnant.  Today Aunty Malia still carries their legacy, now far beyond her own one hānau.  In 2000, she was invited to share her message of aloha with a global audience of world leaders at the United Nations, and most recently, she was honored with the Heart of Social Work from Brigham Young University.

"Aunty Malia is a quiet yet powerful force at any level," shared Tommy Kaulukukui, chairperson of the board for Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center.  Aunty Malia works at QLCC as a spiritual and cultural consultant, continuing to devote her life to helping others through Native Hawaiian methods and practices. She has spent over 50 years of her life working to improve the lives of Hawai‘i’s children and has trained countless individuals in practices such as ho‘oponopono and the composition of Hawaiian poetry and chant, enabling them to perpetuate the knowledge her own kūpuna entrusted to her. Aunty Malia always reminds her haumāna of an important lesson -- many of the most needy they will encounter cannot afford the help they seek, and so they must take it upon themselves to help those in need.

Kamehameha Schools Trustee Robert Kihune introduced Roy Benham with fond recollections of his former art teacher -- none other than Mr. Benham -- at Kamehameha School for Boys. Despite his great attributes as a friend and instructor, said Trustee Kihune, "Mr. Benham never quite appreciated my truly unique artistic talent!" A passionate educator, servant leader, and advocate for Hawaiian culture, Mr. Benham was greeted with a special surprise at the awards ceremony -- his daughter flew in from the continent to share in the special event.

Born in Kahuku in 1923, Mr. Benham was raised in a community steeped in Hawaiian culture. After a career in both teaching and the military, in which he served as the first Hawaiian U.S. Army Hawai‘i Civilian Personnel Director, Mr. Benham devoted his life to educating and advocating for the keiki and kūpuna of Hawai‘i. Heavily involved in the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, the Native Hawaiian Constitutional Convention, and the Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Mr. Benham also served as a trustee for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. During his tenure there, the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation was formed to ensure that legal services would be available for Native Hawaiians.

"There is no question that he is a believer in Hawai‘i and exemplifies the qualities of our beloved Pauahi," said Trustee Kihune. Mr. Benham’s proudest accomplishment is said to have involved his work with the prison system in Hawai‘i. Knowing that the majority of Hawai‘i’s inmates are of Native Hawaiian ancestry, Mr. Benham worked to incorporate Hawaiian culture, protocol, and hula into rehabilitation programs in order to give participants a sense of identity and pride. Unofficially, his efforts have resulted in an 80% reduction in early returnees within inmates who take part in this program.

Kū Kahakalau has also witnessed transformations in the lives of those she touches -- mostly children and their families through her pioneering work with charter school Kanu o ka ‘Āina. A gifted educator, researcher, and composer, Kū recognized the dire need for Native Hawaiians to develop their own educational processes after 15 years of teaching in the public school system. In August of 2000, Kū opened Hawai‘i’s first native-designed and controlled K - 12 public charter school in Waimea on the island of Hawai‘i. Also in 2000, Kū founded Nā Lei Na‘auao Native Hawaiian New Century Public Charter School Alliance, which was designed to share successful models of education throughout the islands. The success of Hawaiian-focused charter schools like Kanu o ka ‘Āina is now undeniable. According to statistics compiled by Kamehameha Schools’ Research and Evaluation staff, on average, Native Hawaiian students in Hawaiian-focused charter schools made significantly greater gains than their peers in other start-up charter schools and conventional public schools. Our communities have people like Kū to thank for pioneering these efforts.

Kū is as dedicated to the larger community as she is to the charter school ‘ohana and serves on the Nā Hoa Ho‘ōla -- Native Hawaiian Safe and Drug Free Council and the Center for World Indigenous Studies. She leads Kumukahi, Native Hawaiian Education Coalition, founded Hālau o Waipi‘o, Native Hawaiian Educational Corporation, and most recently was honored at the YWCA of O‘ahu’s 2006 Leader Luncheon for combining Native Hawaiian values and modern technology into school curriculum.

"Kū wants her students to be able to walk in two worlds, just like Pauahi wished for her own beneficiaries," shared Sharlene Chun-Lum. "In record time, she has made all of this happen, reflecting and embracing a pedagogy of aloha."

Each of the 2006 awardees are excellent examples of how investing in and fostering our people’s education through Native Hawaiian values and concepts will strengthen us as a lāhui. Their focus and methods may vary from teaching ho‘oponopono to working with incarcerated Hawaiians to nurturing our children, but the outcomes are all the same: always help those who have the greatest need, just as Aunty Malia has taught.