The 25th Pacific Educational Conference opened yesterday at Tafuna High School with keynote speaker Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard offering two models for each Pacific education nation to consider in order to help improve education for the Pacific Islands.

The models are Hawaii's Kapolei High School's Career Academy, which tailors to course schedules filled with academic and rigorous technology, and Malama Learning Center (in Kapolei), which is a shared vision of a living laboratory for performing arts, conservation, sustainable living and native Hawaiian culture.

Addressing hundreds of educators from all over the Pacific, Gabbard, a former local educator, explained that in the 9th and 10th grades, students under the career academy model work on team projects, complete core academic classes, and begin exploring career fields.

At the end of 10th grade, they choose an academy in which to focus their learning from business to fine arts to health to leadership academies, according to the school's Web site.

For the Malama Learning Center, the 'living laboratory' where people of all ages and from all walks of life come together through classes, workshops, performances and volunteer service projects.

Gabbard said that through these two models, students really connect with their roots and their culture.

Kapolei High School "has become the central part of our community. The students have hands on knowledge to be successful in the real world and they are also giving back to the greater community through their team project," he said. "And the Malama Learning Center fits perfectly to Kapolei High School and students can take courses and share through seminars, workshops, performances and volunteer service projects which focus on the environment, sustainability and the culture."

He invited participants who come through Honolulu to tour these two facilities, which are located on the western side of Oahu Island.

Gabbard, who represents District #19 (which includes Kapolei), said that as a certified substitute teacher in Hawaii, he has learned first-hand how tough it is in the teaching profession.

He said he had a chance to substitute at one time for 25 students of 7th grade and by the end of the day, he was worn out.

He then congratulated all the educators for the many sacrifices they have made.

Education Department director Dr. Claire Poumele spoke briefly about the importance of PEC to all U.S. Pacific jurisdictions as each entity focuses on improving the education of Pacific children.

"I believe we are gathered here this week to share research, experiences and practices, to rekindle and maintain positive results as educators to look beyond personal discomfort and irritation and to continually keep our focus and on our charge to raise the level of the Pacific child academic achievement," she said.

For educators who have experienced travel and personal inconveniences to attend the PEC, Poumele said, "you have demonstrated a commitment to this collaborative effort aimed to advance the academic status of the Pacific children.

She said next week, the islands of the Pacific will come together in American Samoa to showcase their culture, customs, arts and crafts at the 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts, which she says is a recognition of the necessity for everyone to hold on to their indigenous identities, which differentiates each Pacific islander.

For American Samoa, there is a new "commitment to strengthening the perpetuation of our language and culture," Poumele said. Samoan studies which encompass language, culture, art and history is a graduation requirement in all of the local public schools.

"I strongly believe you place the same value and commitment to the preservation of your respective cultures," she told delegates.

In his remarks, Gov. Togiola Tulafono said people say that teaching is a noble profession.

"But I say there is nothing more noble than raising the next generation, which includes teaching them...with the highest quality of education that we can afford.....that we can muster," he said.

He said so much have been said about the challenges of education and one of them is getting funding for each island government in order to give children the best possible public education.

"The child is the beginning of a legacy in any community..... any race, any nation and country. And so are the hopes and aspirations of its people in each island country," the governor said. "So it's fitting that you are here, to advance and to improve and to find better ways to deliver education to the Pacific children."

Togiola said the PEC is the "official prelude" to the arts festival, pointing out that education, cultural and arts are part of the Pacific islands.