"Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson

I was fortunate to receive this book and spent some time to read it. After reading the first few chapters I had to encouraged myself to push forward to engross myself in the story. However, I am very glad that I did.

Greg Mortenson took an idea of passion and went forward. In his book Three Cups of Tea, he shares the adversity and challenges he encountered such as being kidnapped by the Taliban or receiving tons of hate mail from Americans, but Mortenson still went forward. His philanthropic vision to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan over the past decade is inspirational for what one person can do. Also, his humanitarian spirit has resulted in 55 schools, especially for girls, to attend school in forbidden terrain, which was previously occupied by the Taliban.

Although the book focuses on his journey of creating these educational facilities, he has impacted the larger educational community to do more for their communities. Mortenson said, "There is a saying on my mirror in the bathroom that reminds me every day, when you heart speaks take good notes."

This book reminds me of our organization and the passion Bernice Pauahi Bishop had for educating the children of Hawai'i. The saying you hear often is "one person can make a difference." What should be added to that phrase is "one person can persevere to make a difference with results."

Kamehameha Schools envelops this type of passion one person had for educating the future generations. Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and her husband Charles exemplified this same philanthropic mantra of infusing the cultural values, but also the values to be community contributors in all facets.

With our organization moving toward the three focus areas: education engagement, cultural engagement, and civic engagement, it really goes back to Pauahi’s Will and passion for the humble beginnings of this organization and how it was established.

Mahalo to Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Charles Bishop for creating an institution and enterprise so that I may have the opportunity to work for an organization which personifies my passion for education.

To read more about Greg Mortenson, go to http://www.threecupsoftea.com.

Pixar University's Randy Nelson

This was a great video. The key concepts to innovation: depth, breath, communication and collaboration.

Watch as Randy Nelson explains this so well, especially collaboration.