Thirty Ni’ihau residents were recognized at a pa’ina (dinner party) held at the Waimea Plantation Cottages Wednesday night for having gone through intensive training to secure commercial driver’s licenses from the County of Kaua’i. “Last night was the future (for
Thirty Ni’ihau residents were recognized at a pa’ina (dinner party) held at the Waimea Plantation Cottages Wednesday night for having gone through intensive training to secure commercial driver’s licenses from the County of Kaua’i.
“Last night was the future (for them), and it will be the start of their freedom,” said Ilei Beniamina, a spokesperson for the event and an assistant professor of Hawaiian studies at Kaua’i Community College in Puhi.
The commercial drivers licenses (CDL) allow the Ni’ihau residents to take advantage of job opportunities in the state and elsewhere, Beniamina said. Holding the commercial truck license will allow them to get into better-paying jobs that will help them improve their lives and provide for their ‘ohana, she said.
Pualei Kaliko, who currently works two jobs, said she went after the license to improve her life. “It is for the future,” Kaliko told The Garden Island.
The efforts by the Ni’ihau residents to obtain the special license was applauded by some board members of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs at a meeting on Kaua’i in September.
The graduates who were recognized at the dinner party were: John Ku’uleinani Beniamina; James Iolama Beniamina; Grace Leina’ala Kahale; James Kaomea Kahale; Kaliko; Ambrose Kauionalani Kanahele; Issac Apolani Kanahele; Johnny Kaleionalani Kanahele; Joseph Kamealoha Kanahele; Julius Kanahele; Sharon Leimokihana Kanahele; Thomas Elia Kanahele; Marylou Kapua Kanahele; Wilson Napomaikaimailunamai Kanahele Sr.; Fraulein Kahealani Kaohelauli’i; Lyman Akana Kaohelauli’i; Luana Ku’ulei Kaohelauli’i; Paul Naumu Kaohelauli’i; John Kaimanahila Keale; Clifton Iosepa Kelley; Josephine “Pine” Kaohuokalani Kelley; Lindsay Kamalamalama Kelley; Lulubelle Healani Kelley; Maynard Kalaniui Kelley; Jay Kai’ini Niau Jr.; Jayna Leimanu Niau; Melvin Kauwila Pahulehua; Leiana Pahulehua Robinson; Kay Ehulani Kanahele and Samson Wailani Kanahele.
Marylou Kapua Kanahele and Josephine “Pine” Kaohuokalani Kelley received honorable mention related to their training.
The training program’s major sponsors were OHA, Ho’ola Lahui Hawai’i, Alu Like and the Kauai Community College Office of Continuing Education and Training (OCET).
OHA board members and others at the agency’s meeting on Kaua’i in September said the joint effort showed organizations could work together for the betterment of Hawaiians.
The groups provided either financial assistance or services for the training that took place between late August and September.
The Ni’ihau residents expressed an interest in July in obtaining the special license. Alu Like got involved when representatives heard the islanders wanted to fill truck-driving jobs on Ni’ihau offered by Gay & Robinson Inc.
Alu Like provided $5,400 for training, and Ho’ola Lahui provide physical examinations for students as a requirement for obtaining the special license.
And OHA provided $5,800 to rent a truck for training at Vidinha Stadium.
Officials with KCC’s OCET program coordinated the training for the students, and hired Steve Carvalho to prepare the residents for the county vehicle test, and to train them to drive large commercial trucks.
Carvalho is a heavy equipment trainer for Kaua’i County. He led the classes on weekends when he was off work.
Carvalho, who attended the pa’ina, was recognized for his efforts and dedication during the OHA board meeting.
On behalf of the students, Beniamina stepped forward and approached Alu Like and the KCC program about helping them.
Both she and LaFrance Kapaka Arboleda, an official with the OHA office on Kaua’i, were commended by the OHA board for their efforts.
Arboleda approached OHA for $5,800 in funding for the rental of the truck and the hiring of Carvalho.
Students took written tests and earned driving permits, which allowed them to drive a large truck at the Vidinha Stadium under the supervision of Carvalho.
During the OHA board meeting, KCC Chancellor Peggy Cha, Beniamina and KCC official Barbara Bulatao-Franklin passed out certificates to the Ni’ihau residents for the achievements.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 225) and mailto:lchang@pulitzer.net
