George Kanahele
Encyclopedia
George Hueu Sanford Kanahele (1930–2000) was a native Hawaiian activist, historian and author.
of Hawaii
.
Kanahele graduated from Kamehameha Schools
in 1948, and served as missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan
until 1954. he then served in the United States Army Security Agency
in Germany
. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in political science from Brigham Young University Hawaii
, and Ph.D. in Government and Southeast Asian Affairs from Cornell University
in 1967. He published several books during his life relating to Hawaiian culture and history.
As co-founder of the Hawaii Entrepreneurship Training & Development Institute, he trained indigenous people around the world in how to start sustainable businesses.
Kanahele founded of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association in 1997. Despite being a valuable part of the Hawaiian activism movement, some of his ideas are controversial, such as his argument that native Hawaiians should embrace Hawaii's tourism
by helping the visitor industry revive a "Hawaiianess" in visitor destinations such as Waikīkī
. In 1998 he received the Living Treasures of Hawai'i
award.
He died September 15, 2000 while teaching a seminar on Guam
.
Life
George Hueu Sanford Kanahele was born October 17, 1930 in Kahuku on the island of OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
of Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
.
Kanahele graduated from Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools
Kamehameha Schools , formerly called Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate , is a private co-educational college-preparatory institution that specializes in Native Hawaiian language and cultural education. It is located in Hawaii and operates three campuses: Kapālama , Pukalani , and Keaau...
in 1948, and served as missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
until 1954. he then served in the United States Army Security Agency
United States Army Security Agency
The United States Army Security Agency was the United States Army's signal intelligence branch. Its motto was "Vigilant Always." The Agency existed between 1945 and 1976 and was the successor to Army signal intelligence operations dating back to World War I...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He received his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in political science from Brigham Young University Hawaii
Brigham Young University Hawaii
Brigham Young University–Hawaii is a private university located in Laie, Hawaii. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ....
, and Ph.D. in Government and Southeast Asian Affairs from Cornell University
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
in 1967. He published several books during his life relating to Hawaiian culture and history.
As co-founder of the Hawaii Entrepreneurship Training & Development Institute, he trained indigenous people around the world in how to start sustainable businesses.
Kanahele founded of the Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association in 1997. Despite being a valuable part of the Hawaiian activism movement, some of his ideas are controversial, such as his argument that native Hawaiians should embrace Hawaii's tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
by helping the visitor industry revive a "Hawaiianess" in visitor destinations such as Waikīkī
Waikiki
Waikiki is a neighborhood of Honolulu, in the City and County of Honolulu, on the south shore of the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. Waikiki Beach is the shoreline fronting Waikīkī....
. In 1998 he received the Living Treasures of Hawai'i
Living Treasures of Hawai'i
The Living Treasures of Hawaii program was created by the Buddhist temple Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai'i to honor residents of Hawaii. The criteria for selection are, "First, the designee must demonstrate continuous growth in his or her field; second, the potential Living Treasure must have...
award.
He died September 15, 2000 while teaching a seminar on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
.