Welina me ku'u aloha pumehana! Members of the Kawananakoa family, honored guests, and students of Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, I am honored to join you this morning to commemorate the 135th anniversary of the birth of Prince David Laa'mea Kahalepouli Kawananakoa.

As an alumnus of Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School, I am particularly delighted to join this observance as part of the 75th anniversary of the school that bears his distinguished name. I recall my days at Kawananakoa with great affection, and I can trace my first involvement in politics and public service to my participation in the student council. I first served as 7th grade class representative and in my last year as student body president.

Over the course of 75 years, Prince David Kawananakoa Middle School has educated and prepared thousands of Hawaii's youth for success. To meet the challenges of the 21st century, you have worked to ensure that students understand and appreciate Hawaii's diverse cultural influences and inspired them to look to the world beyond the islands.

As well-educated young men and women, you continue on to high school, and the educational and professional opportunities that follow, prepared to dignify the legacy of Prince David Kawananakoa.

As you know, Prince David Kawananakoa, along with his brother, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, were born into a life of privilege, but had to overcome a great deal of adversity in a life of service to his nation and the people of Hawaii. Despite the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the failure of peaceful efforts to restore the monarchy, Prince David Kawananakoa and Prince Kuhio were committed to the service and betterment of the Hawaiian people. In fact, Prince David became a Democrat and Prince Kuhio became a Republican, to ensure that the Hawaiian people were fully represented in the American political system.

Over the course of his life, Prince David Kawananakoa focused on the advancement of his people. Today, we gather to observe the anniversary of his birth and honor his service to his sovereign, his nation, and his people. We remember the love, the aloha, he exhibited for the Hawaiian people.

This morning we assemble with our hearts full of aloha. I hope that we will always carry the spirit of aloha with us, for it is the aloha spirit that makes Hawaii and her people so unique and special. We should never lose sight of the fact that the meaning of aloha has to be transmitted to others, and aloha really is in the giving, not the taking. When you give, you are sharing aloha.

I wish for each and every one of you a future of achievement and a life of happiness. Kulia i ka nu'u – reach for the best. Malama pono and God Bless You!