Kēhaulani Lum, president of the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, reminisces about her time spent at Punahou School leading up to the present day. She discusses in detail her rich familial ties to Hawaii. She recalls the social and political era in which she shared a classroom with President Obama. Lum affirms that Hawaii played a significant role in developing his leadership skills, community bui lding, and charisma. Lum reflects fondly upon her time spent going door to door with Michelle Obama while helping with the Obama presidential campaign and organizing a kids filmmakers project in Chicago to help inspire the youth about democracy. She speaks appreciatively of her time attending the presidential inauguration with her close friends and family, recalling other Punahou teachers and alums in attendance that day. Finally, Lum observes how Obama's presidency left a lasting positive impact and points to the personal sacrifice that Obama made in becoming an influential public figure
Kēhaulani Lum is a community advocate who has championed the well-being of Hawaii's indigenous people for over 40 years. Her ancestors were priests, government leaders and advisors, educators, civil servants, healers, farmers and fishermen. A ki prac titioner of the Kaito Gakko School of Peace Martial Arts, under Professor Bruce Keaulani, she serves on numerous non-profit boards that cultivate traditional knowledge, culture and healing practices, including the restoration of historic sacred spaces. For the past eight years, she has worked with thousands of volunteers to help the U.S. Navy restore the last remaining 500-year-old royal fishpond in Pearl Harbor. A graduate of Punahou School (Class of 1979), Lum resides with her daughter and extended family on land that her family has stewarded for over 200 years
Note
Interviewed by Dr. Davianna McGregor and Landon Tom on August 29, 2022. This interview is part of the University of Hawai'i: Obama Presidency Oral History
Note (Provenance)
Kēhaulani Lum, Gift, transferred from Columbia Center for Oral History Research 2022