Program now
covers Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians are now eligible for a federal program intended to help students pursue graduate degrees, according to U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka.
The McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is geared toward low-income students who are the first in their families to attend college, as well as students from ethnic groups that are underrepresented in graduate schools. Those groups traditionally have been defined as black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaskan Native.
When James Kawika Riley, of Kailua-Kona, who is studying political science at the University of Northern Colorado, tried to join the program, university officials turned him down, saying he did not qualify because native Hawaiians are not an eligible group.
Akaka contacted the U.S. Department of Education earlier this year on Riley's behalf, noting that the 2000 Census included a new category for native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islanders, who also are likely to be underrepresented in graduate schools. The department recently confirmed that native Hawaiians would be added to those eligible, Akaka said this week.
"It demonstrates the power that correct data can have," said Akaka, who had pushed for the creation of the new Census category. "I commend Mr. Riley for his persistence. ... He has helped open the door to higher education for native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders."
The McNair Program encourages students to pursue doctoral studies by hooking them up with research opportunities, mentoring and internships during their undergraduate years.
"I want to thank Sen. Akaka for all he has done for me," Riley said. "Fighting this on my own didn't get me very far."
