Bills Seek Naming Future Kīhei High School In Honor of Mink

Kihei High School EIS. Courtesy image.

By Wendy Osher

A bill requiring the state Department of Education to name the planned Kīhei High School in honor of the late US Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink will surface for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Education this Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014.

A resolution at the council level urging support for the measure will also be heard this week during Friday’s Council meeting.

Council member Riki Hokama, who introduced the resolution said Mink’s accomplishments in promoting educational access “brings tremendous pride to the Maui Community.”

“Naming the Kīhei high school in her honor will serve as a reminder to students that, with perseverance and hard work, one person can make a difference,” said Hokama in a government issued press release.

According to information released by the Office of Council Services, Mink was born in Pāʻia in 1927 and graduated as valedictorian from Maui High School in 1944.  In 1964, Mink reportedly became the first woman of color elected to serve in Congress, and is championed for co-authoring the Title IX legislation that prohibits gender discrimination in education.

The Senate committee hearing on Senate Bill 2446 begins at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Maui lawmakers who were identified as supporters of the bill included Senators J. Kalani English, Gil Keith-Agaran.  A companion bill in the state House was introduced by Maui Rep. Mele Carroll and has since been referred to the House Education and Finance Committees.