Hale Pai
Pacific American News Journal
Mei-May 1996 Volume 2 Issue 5
Pacific Education Scholarship Foundation
Community Benefactor
By Sue Helenihi
San Deigo, CA
When first exposed to Charles J. Hoke, one would say, "What a quiet , nice man. What a kind person - so peaceful and friendly." All very true and more, but you’ve heard of the sleeping volcano? Uncle Charlie is that also. He is the world’s number one observer; most prolific reader - he has read every printed word ever written; number one sport’s fan; best kalua pig man in the whole Pacific realm; number one teller of tales about the Marine Corps Korean, and Viet Nam Wars; expert on politics and reading of political temperature on local, state, and national front; a kanaka maoli whose heart dwells at Maka`wao, Maui; and, a man my family and I love very much.
He served his community on so many projects, but we will tell of only one here. Within the confines of the Pacific Education Scholarship Foundation and with the help of the North County school districts, he has established a program Pacific Islander youngsters can take advantage of classes which will help improve their chances of securing a higher score on their Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). For many Pacific Islander kids, SAT’s are a dismal failure - - they are absolutely not prepared for them. A satisfactory SAT score is the accumulation and result of twelve years of learning. It is a happy or sad proof of what one has absorbed since kindergarten or first grade. There are after school classes, which through concentrated effort and a somewhat high cost, try to improve the student’s chances of attaining a higher test score. That all important score may prove to be the deciding factor on admittance to a college of one’s choice, or relegation to a less prestigious institution. Matriculation for the majority of the Pacific Islander students is, sadly, a missing part of their development into young adulthood — they are faced with failure before they start if that score isn’t high enough.
PESF and KMP’s efforts and financial support, has helped Charlie to arrange for ten students, at a nominal fee, to receive four Saturdays of tutoring for this all important examination.
Samu Lilio
The following are the comments of Samu Lilio, a young Samoan applicant for the SAT tutoring course last March 30, 1996. Samu’s reply to our request telling us why education was so important fell upon our complacency like a bucket of ice cold water on a snowy day. It woke us up and made us take notice that some of our young people are listening and are far ahead of some of us as to why education is important. Among the important reasons for acquiring a college education he names the usual: economic, respect of and for others, self respect and spiritual development (especially stressed), the development of intellect through the gathering of knowledge, and advancement in the marketplace. All are desirable and attainable results of an education, but probably the most profound reasons lie within the quote from this young man who is so positively directed toward an education that he gave up a whole year of sports, including football, to participate in the "Upward Bound" program. He excelled throughout the program.
Samu said, "Once education is mastered, it must be used to influence people in a positive way. Use its influence to benefit cultures, educational institutions, churches, and domestic institutions. One should give back to the community to help further the educational needs. This is my reason for furthering my education. I want to contribute to the intellectuals of my Samoan race. Samoans have been known for their physical attributes, my goal is to display our intellectual attributes. I want to give back to my community to help my peers avoid domestic/gang violence. The only way to achieve is to take the path less taken by , my peers. A college education can help me to better deal with my future."
For the future is here and now, let’s not our generations be left without direction.
The Pacific Education Scholarship Foundation is a non - profit educational foundation based in San Diego. For more information please write c/o Hale Pai.