As a Punahou School graduate, parent of a current student, donor and member of a multi-generational family that has attended Punahou, I am angered and dismayed by the school’s recent action regarding the removal of a first-grader for the alleged actions of his parent. Yes, this child was later allowed to complete this school year; however, this was a short-sighted and heart-breaking settlement.
A reading of recent newspaper articles indicates the settlement was reached after a “witch-hunt” by a small number of parents resulted in the school’s dismissal of the student, a complete abandonment of its principles, values and foundations.
Allowing a “mob” of parents to determine the future education of this child is both unconscionable and unethical. Punahou’s focus should not be on appeasing fanatical parents, but rather adhering to its mission, which broadly stated, is to provide a safe institution to educate and facilitate the health and well being of its students.
Moreover, as noted on its website, one of the aims of a Punahou education is “To foster within each Punahou student, personal and social responsibility by developing empathy and compassion, and by embracing diversity at all levels, while cultivating moral reasoning that leads to moral action, personal leadership, and engaged citizenship.” Punahou talks the talk, but is not walking the walk.
I do not find the school adhering to this aim, nor, it seems, are the complaining parents. Where is the empathy and compassion of the adults? How can we expect children to manifest these values when their parents fail to? Why did it take a lawsuit for the school to reconsider its immediate expulsion?
I am at a loss over how any Punahou parent, alumni or teacher is accepting of this. I am also saddened that more parents haven’t contacted the school to question, complain or express support for this student.
When Punahou granted this student admittance, it agreed to provide a professional educational atmosphere. But when Punahou allowed the actions of a few frenzied parents to result in ostracization, condemnation, embarrassment and temporary expulsion of this 6-year-old child from the Punahou Ohana, it failed him at a time when he needed the support of friends, teachers and a safe environment. This child did nothing wrong, but is suffering nonetheless.
Also, it is unsettling that it appears the student’s expulsion was based on unsubstantiated hearsay. My reading of newspaper accounts is that bad behavior by the student’s parent has not been confirmed. It might be time for these parents and Punahou to revisit the McMartin Preschool allegations and trial of the 1980s and re-examine how rumors and mass hysteria ruined the lives of many innocent individuals.
I comprehend Punahou’s need to safeguard the safety of its student body, but there must be another option that will allow this child to remain enrolled beyond this school year. Has Punahou’s administration and president lost sight of the school’s values and what holds the students, faculty, administration and alumni together? For over 175 years, the school, founded upon Christian values, has worked toward embracing, not excluding. It professes high moral and ethical standards, and espouses itself as being a large, multigenerational, influential and international family— one large ohana. Ohana means never leaving anyone behind.
The Punahou Ohana, which for generations has provided an excellent environment for academic, social and spiritual growth, appears to have forgotten its roots, appears to be ignoring its mission, and appears to be failing a member of its ohana. Punahou is leaving this child behind. I can only hope the school will consider its decision and, if the child reapplies, offers re-enrollment for next year.
Kimberly Case, a 1980 Punahou School graduate, has served on the Manoa Neighborhood Board and is a stay-at-home mom of twin boys.
