In 1975, before the outrageous Common Core school program there was The Hawaiian English Program (HEP). To detail the crazy and subversive materials my dad uncovered would take a lot of space and the Mercury News article is just scratching the surface on what he found.

He succeeded in getting the program shut down after his one-man crusade for better education, but not before threats to our family, our house getting egged and me and my sister having to move to a different elementary school.

There were several courageous and concerned neighbors that joined the effort and wanted answers, positive change toward real education–and got it!

My dad would have been 83 today, June 9th, 2022. We love and miss you Dad! Thank you for always fighting the good fight and standing up for what is right.

Michael Anthony Kechula June 9th 1939 – September 1, 2021