Charles McCarthy

Tu Tangata, Issue 26, 1 October 1985, Page 41

Charles McCarthy

After four years it won't be long for Charles McCarthy, a Maori student attending the Brigham Young University Hawaii in Laie, Oahu to graduate. But before that Charlie has a hectic and demanding schedule to follow and at the same time provide for his Australian wife and 3 children. Incidentally his supportive wife hardly ever sees her husband. Even his NZ visitors staying with him always comment that they hardly ever see Charlie.

Born in Rawene, Hokianga and the eldest of 8 children his parents were farmers. They moved and he attended Ngaruawahia Primary School. After 4 years at CCNZ he left to serve a mission in Australia at Adelaide and Perth. To save up for these funds he worked at the freezing works.

Charlie knew what he wanted to do. He says "I came to Hawaii because I knew I could work at the PCC to help support my family. I was interested in the hotel, travel and restaurant industry and the hands on experience that enhances you as well. I could take part in the cooperative programme with the university and the businesses such as the Hiltons, Westerns, and

Sheratons Hotel chains. “I enjoyed it here and spent as much time out of class as in class. The whole experience has helped me here to be more service oriented.” Classes begin at 7.30 am and then he rushes off to start at the PCC at 12.30 pm. Everyday Charlie finishes work at the Maori Village at 4pm and his day is not ended. He must drive 40 miles to the heart ot Waikiki to the Hilton Hawaiian Village to perform at Tavanas Polynesian Show. Thirty artists perform and he is the only Maori in a four minute segment of Maori entertainment. Two shows nightly at 7pm and 9.30 pm keep Charlie busy six nights a week and returns home at 12.30 am.

More time is spent commuting like 3 hours a day. he says. The show needs changing soon and so he has extra rehearsals to schedule. Study for tests is done at sam or after 12.30 when he gets home. But as Charlie says, "If I have no time to study, I just go and sit the exam.”

Charlie further says “I can say after putting up with struggles and hardships. it helps me to be more aggressive and hungry to be able to compete and face chalenges. Sometimes as foreigners here we are manipulated."