JAMM AQUINO / 2020
People walk the University of Hawaii-Manoa campus on Feb. 7, 2020.
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The University of Hawaii belongs to the people of Hawaii, and all Hawaii’s people should feel welcome there. No one ethnic group has a majority here and UH students come from a multitude of cultures and nations, so reflecting their histories and traditions fosters a sense of belonging.
As the islands’ first people, Native Hawaiians deserve support at UH for their stewardship. Without Hawaiian knowledge of the land’s waters, soil, shores and geography, none of us would be here. It would be tragic to remove these sources of wisdom from curricula as we confront climate change and the challenges of survival on these islands.
Beyond place-based knowledge, there is another gift from the Hawaiian people that exceeds all others: aloha. Let us express our gratitude for this legacy and stand beside the university in its mission to educate all students, whatever their ethnicity, with aloha for all.
Wendi White
St. Louis Heights
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