SENATOR ENGLISH HONORED WITH STAR OF OCEANIA AWARD

Senator J. Kalani English received the “Stars of Oceania” award, issued by the Pacific Business Center this week.  The award recognizes Sen. English for his personal interest, advocacy and example of statesmanship in cultivating, strengthening and promoting greater cooperation and collaboration between the Hawai’i State Legislature and the Territories, Freely Associated States, and Commonwealths of the Pacific.

File Photo: Senator J. Kalani English (middle) at the ground breaking ceremony for the widening of the Haleakala Highway. Others in the photo are Rep. Joe Souki (left) and Rep. Kyle Yamashita (right). Photo by Wendy OSHER © 2009

“He (Sen. English) symbolizes the up and coming generation of leaders possessing the cultural sense of balance, harmony, and reciprocal benefit that encapsulates our indigenous wisdom. Coupled with modern knowledge and education, Senator English is the kind of leader who is able to take the best of both worlds and create a third exciting option for our future,” said Dr. Faiautusi Avegalio, Director of the Pacific Business Center Program at the Shidler College of Business Administration, University of Hawai’i Manoa.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Senator English said. “To me it is common sense that we should be finding ways to combine today’s technologies and knowledge with the vital legacy of culture and inclusiveness that our ancestors left us. I am very grateful that others share these views, and that we can find a way to build on a shared commitment to not only preserving, but also making use our legacy.”

This year, the Stars of Oceania Luncheon was coupled with the Pasifika Energy Summit as a single event to provide a forum connecting traditional wisdom with modern knowledge.

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)