Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 2, 1 February 1987 — Kilohana School Captures Makahiki Honors [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kilohana School Captures Makahiki Honors

Ho'olako 1987, Waihee, Kupuna Share Laurels

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA The Makahiki season in ancient Hawaii was a time for reIigious observances, payment of taxes and athletic competition and festivities. On Jan. 17, Ka Moloka'i Makahiki's sixth annual eelebration helped preserve Hawaiian traditions and eulture. This year's observance had an extra special meaning because it marked the island's celebration of Ho'olako 1987 — The Year of the Hawaiian — and paid tribute to its treasured kupuna. Ka Moloka'i Makahiki, in keeping with the theme of Ho'olako, probably got the jump on the rest of the islands by naming Gov. John David Waihee III as its statewide ehoiee for outstanding Hawaiian of the year. The Governor was busy in Honolulu meeting with his newly-organized cabinet but Attorney Gerard Jervis, former legal counsel in the Lieutenant Governor's office and a personal friend of Waihee, was on hand to accept a beautiful award carved from Molokai milo wood. He thanked the committee and the crowd for the honor bestowed on the Governor and also assisted in the presentation of other awards. The Moloka'i program has established itself as an islandwide festival focusing on the youngest children. These grade school youngsters who competed Jan. 17 were the champions of their respective schools and were treated accordingly. It was a day too, when Moloka'i elders were honored for their contributions. When eaeh of the four elementary schools marched onto the Kaunakakai field during the opening ceremonies bright and early on the morning of Jan. 17, a kupuna accompanied eaeh unit. They paraded onto the field to the accompaniment of chanting by Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua. Kupuna Lucy Wilhelm led Kaunakakai School; Kupuna Minerva Keawe accompanied Kilohana; Aliee Aiwohi was the Kualupuu kupuna; and Ellen Babayan was the kupuna for little Maunaloa School. Along with the pageantry honoring Lono with eaeh school offering ho'okupu, there was also color and keen comf>etition. Kilohana, whieh brought along a booster squad of cheerleaders last year, changed its style this time around with every team member carrying red and yellow streamers attached to a short stick. The entire team cheered and waved their streamers as members competed in the different events. The tactic may have helped because Kilohana barely won the team championship with a total of 348 points, followed closely by Kaunakakai with 340. Kualupuu was third with 298 and Maunaloa trailed with 166. With the victory, Kilohana has now made it four straight years. The school retired the first perpetual trophy last year and with this year's win it has established the first leg on a new perpetual award whieh must be won three consecutive years. The opening ceremonies were spiced by the appearanee of Kumu Hula Namahana Kalama — Panui and her young dancers from Na Mamoali'i O Ka'uiki of Hana, Maui. The group also entertained during a break in the competitions. Ka Moloka'i Makahiki celebrations also included competition in the high school division, adults and an entertainment program in the late afternoon featuring such headliners as Makaha Sons of Niihau, Jerry Santos, Frank Hewitt, Olomana, Kaimikaua and others. Honolulu Skylark of KORL Radio 65 was mistress of ceremonies. In addition to the games and entertainment, there was also an art show in the Mitchell Pauole Center featuring the works of native Hawaiian artists. Walter Ritte and his wife, Loretta, bulwarked by an outstapding crew of volunteers, turned in another tremendous effort in staging the games for both adults and school children. Ritte's commentary on eaeh of the events kept the large turnout clearly tuned in. Individual winners in the keiki competition were: KINDERGARTEN Uma— Joseph Camara, Kualupuu. Haka moa — Ira Boswell, Kualupuu. Ulumaika — Starlet Napoleon, Kilohana. Kukini (50-yard) — Chad Lima, Kilohana. Huki huki — Kilohana. GRADE 1 Uma — Marcus Helm, Kualupuu. Haka moa — Travis Greenleaf, Kaunakakai. Ulumaika — Neal Adkinson, Kualapuu. Kukini (50yard)— Carlton Helm, Kaunakakai. Huki huki — Kaunakakai. GRADE 2 Uma — Edmund Lima, Kilohana. Haka moa — Kaimi Pupuhi, Kilohana. Ulumaika — Theodore Mahiai, Kilohana. Kukini (50-yard)— Richard Dowling, Kaunakakai. Huki-huki — Kaunakakai. GRADE 3 Uma — Ikaika Tanabe, Kualapuu. Haka moa — Leroy Wright,

Kaunakakai. Ulumaika — Brandon Pierson, Kilohana. Kukini (50yard) — Kepanila Kapuni — Szasz, Kilohana. Huku-huki — Kaunakakai. GRADE 4 Uma — John Kaiama, Kaunakakai. Haka moa — Kalaniua Ritte, Kaunakakai. Ulumaika — Kekoa Viernes, Kualupuu. Kukini (100yard) — Benvon Mahiai, Maunaloa. Hukihuki — Kaunakakai.

GRADE 5 Uma— Jeffrey Loui, Kaunakakai. Haka moa — Kekama Helm, Kilohana. Ulumaika — Niko Kahookano, Maunaloa. Kukini (100-yard) — Justo Patague, Kualapuu. Hukihuki — Kilohana. GRADE 6 Uma — Pedro Cabaaccaing, Kualapuu. Haka moa — Woody Thompson, Kilohana. Ulumaika — Keola Kingsley, Kilohana. Kukini (100-yard) — Raymond Lightfoot, Kilohana. Huki huki — Kilohana.

Kumu Hula Namahana Kalama-Pcinui-and hcr dancers from Hana offer ho'okupu to Lono.

These Kilohana first graders are given added encouragement in huki huki.

This kindergarten contestant at far left of photo finds her 'ulu maika off course