Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 5, 1 May 1988 — Annual Statewide Conference Attracts 400 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Annual Statewide Conference Attracts 400

Toauchi Assures DOE Kuouna Proaram Will Continue

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA A charged-up Superintendent of Education Charles Toguchi, who grew up in the onee all farming communities of Kahaluu and Waiahole, assured nearly 400 kupuna in the Department of Education Mar. 18that "this program (Kupuna Hawaiian Studies) will eonhnue in the department." Amidst rousing applause, Toguchi explained how charged up he gets whenever he attends a kupuna conference. "I could feel the excitement as I entered this room (Empress Restaurant in the Chinese Cultural Plaza). I know everyone is also charged up. Everytime I vis.it with you I feel young again," Toguchi declared. "We appreciate you. You are important to us

and we need you. Our youngsters need you," he emphasized. Toguchi, who had left a legislative hearing to spend a few moments with the kupuna, added: "I know this is Friday but when I leave you it's going to be like Monday because you do something to me." The 1988 'Aha Kupuna Conference was hosted by the DOE Windward District with Elsie Sarah Kawaonaheleopa'i'i Durante, Alison Ledward and Kahulumanu Landgraf, district resource teachers, coordinating the day-long affair whieh brought kupuna from Hilo and Kona, Hawaii, Lanai, Maui, Kauai and Molokai. Mrs. Durante, who is more familiarly known as Kawao, is the mother of Dr. Kathleen Durante, a practicing pediatrician in Kailua and a product of the University of Hawaii's Imi Ho'ola program. (See story in April issue). In contrast to another kupuna conference whieh was held later that same day and into the next day at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the DOE affair was one of more fellowship and sharing. OHA's conference (see separate story this issue) was a more structured program whieh guided kupuna along eaeh cultured step. There was kupuna sharing by the various DOE districts, this year honoring Mary Kawena Pukui, Iolani Luahine, Kukaniloko, Nanakuli and Manaiakalani among others. Eaeh district presented a skit on the topic or subject matter selected. The highlight of the day perhaps eame during luneh when 16 students from ages 3 to 6 in the DOE's first Hawaiian Language Immersion Program at Waiau School were showcased. Kumu Alohalani Kaina, formerly a district resource teacher with the Leeward Oahu district, heads the program. Mrs. Kaina explained that seven of the 16 children are from the Punana Leo program. Virtually all of them are in kindergarten or first grade. The two or three six-year-olds were added to "stabilize" the younger ones.

The children were beautiful in their presentations, introducing themselves and telling a little bit about themselves. They captured the hearts of the kupuna, some of whom could not hold back tears. The program is brand new whieh started last fall. The only other such program exists at Keaukaha School in the Hawaii island homestead district. In a solemn moment, the kupuna paid a moment of silence to the memory of Windward Kupuna Victor Kala who passed away recently. They then broke into "Ku'u Aloha," one of Kala's more popular compositions. It was noted that six Windward kupuna have gone on since the DOE started the program in the district with the 1979-80 school year. The conference ended with impromptu sharing

and singing. Among those thrilling the audience with some beautiful hula were Oahu May Day Queen Namahana Kalama-Panui who is also kumu hula for Na Mamoali'i O Kau'iki of Hana, Maui, and Malani Papa, DRT for West Hawaii. There was also a brief weleome address by Mrs. Sakae Loo, Windward District Superintendent. Among those from OHA who attended were Board of Trustees chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. and Trustee Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr.

Sixteen children from the first Department of Education Hawaiian Language lmmersion Program at Waiau School introduce themselves in Hawaiian. Looking on f rom the floor with back to camera is Kumu Alohalani Kaina.