Grads who stay
face uncertain future

'It's sad because I have to
leave my family. They understand
that to get ahead, I have to
move away'

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

The question hung over this weekend's 1,370 University of Hawaii graduates facing the future in Hawaii's dismal economy: Where will they go?

For many, graduating yesterday at UH's Stan Sheriff Center meant soon parting with family to search for a better life on the mainland.

With maile leaves and orange carnation leis draped around his neck, Vonnell Ramos, 21, bittersweetly celebrated his bachelor's degree in family resources.

"It's sad because I have to leave my family. They understand in order to get ahead, I have to move away." He plans to attend graduate school in either San Diego or Denver and eventually work as a marriage counselor.

But on graduation day, the Ramos family from Kauai cheered his accomplishment, knowing his education improves his chances to have a future. In a starched white shirt and tie, Ramos celebrated with his family at the Cocina Filipina restaurant.

More than 8,000 family and friends came to the Stan Sheriff Center for the 9 a.m. ceremony, bearing leis and hugs for the graduates.

Some who came late experienced their first separation from graduates about an hour into the program. Security guards closed the arena to latecomers because it had filled to capacity and become a potential fire hazard.

"All of us parents have to let go of our children to find their destiny," said Jovita Corcino, mother of two graduates on the mainland. She came to the university's graduation to see a friend's son accept his diploma.

"Where are they going to go after today? Our own jobs are in jeopardy," Corcino said. "We're real disappointed with the Legislature for not doing anything to stimulate the economy."

Despite the state's gloom-and-doom backdrop, parents filmed the day on their video cameras. The graduates, some wearing foot-high Dr. Seuss hats, hooted and hollered.

However, the depressing economy provided incentive for some students to stay in school and pursue higher degrees.

Walter Macaraig said his niece, Verma Menor, 20, who earned her bachelor's in Japanese, will continue on for her master's.

"Right now we have a bad economy, but by the time she gets out with her master's, hopefully it will improve."

American Samoa's Gov. Tauese P.F. Sunia tried to boost the graduates' morale with a story showing the importance of family, education and persistance.

Sunia said he met an African-American doctor some years ago who struggled in school as a boy. His mother began requiring he do a book report weekly. A few years later, the man realized his mother couldn't read the book reports he turned into her. She eventually learned to read and obtained her own college degree.

Sunia's own son, Liupua Andrew Sunia, graduated Saturday from UH-Hilo.

The UH-Manoa graduating class was one of the biggest in recent years, said Cheryl Ernst, director of UH communications.

"We expect to see a large handful of them back for their graduate degrees."