Bold and Visionary Leadership

Last week, I had the opportunity to be a part of a conversation with three bold and visionary leaders in Hawaii. 

Those of us in education know about Candy Suiso, a remarkable educator who started a creative media program at a high school in one of the poorest communities in our state and turned it into a thriving production company where students are creating amazing videos and other media projects. Former students are returning to the school to teach the next generation of creative media students. (Watch Candy's TED-X talk here.)  

We heard from Herb Lee, Jr., an inspirational educator and community leader who has worked with hundreds of students, teachers, and community members as the Executive Director of the Pacific American Foundation. Herb shared their work to restore the Waiakalua Loko I`a Fishpond. He made such a positive impression that one of the course instructors emailed Herb and asked if his family could participate in a workday when they visit Hawai`i this summer. 

The third bold and visionary leader was Duane Kurisu who was the brainchild behind Kahauiki Village, a public-private partnership which built a community for previously-homeless families. Many said it couldn't be done, that there were too many obstacles. But Duane persevered. He was not building homes; he was building a community just like the one he grew up in. "We didn't realize we were poor," he said, "because everyone was the same. And we all helped each other, sharing whatever we had." I could relate to what Duane shared; the plantation community I grew up in helped to shape me into the person I am today. (I wrote about that in my book, "Leading with Aloha: From the Pineapple Fields to the Principal's Office.") 

Today, my husband Randy and I were able to take a tour of Kahauiki Village. We joined a community group from Waimanalo who are very much invested in creating homes for the homeless in their area. These visitors had many questions and were inspired by how Kahauiki Village was conceived and created and the commitment of so many people that went into building this community for homeless families with children. Kahauiki Village includes a store for residents, a child care center and preschool, vegetable and fruit gardens, a coin-operated laundromat, a center for school-aged children, and soon, there will be an aquaponics garden. Children were attending karate class during our tour, and there is an area set aside where a basketball court can be built. There is even a post office for the residents! 

We need leaders who are bold and visionary like Candy Suiso, Herb Lee, Jr., and Duane Kurisu. All three leaders shared that there were many obstacles they had to overcome and people who tried to convince them that it couldn't be done. At times, it was so frustrating; they could easily have given up. But they didn't, and so many people have benefited from their vision. I am reminded of the quote by Roy T. Bennett: Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart. 

These are the kind of leaders we need. 

Here are a few photos from today's visit.

This sign welcomes visitors to Kahauiki Village.

144 one- and two-bedroom prefabricated homes were originally built for Tohoku Japan tsunami victims. They were redesigned by a local architect to resemble plantation homes. Rent is reasonable and includes electricity, water, gas, and internet and cable connection. 

This mural greets visitors to Kahauiki Village.

I had hoped to see the Head Start classroom and child care center, but they were not open today. Duane shared that adults can volunteer and some have realized that they enjoy that kind of work. It reminded me of when I worked at Head Start. Parents were encouraged to volunteer, and many went on to become educational assistants. Some even got their Child Development Associate credential and were then eligible to be hired as teachers.

This community is completely solar-powered, the only one of its kind in the country. There are solar panels and Tesla battery storage systems and there is a backup plan through Hawaiian Electric if there are extended days with no sun. 

What's a community without a post office? Residents can drop off and pick up their mail and packages here. Without this service, they would have to walk quite a distance to the nearest post office.