Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 5, 1 May 1987 — Spirit of Lokahi, Ohana, Aloha [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Spirit of Lokahi, Ohana, Aloha

Hiah Marks Given for First Statewide Conference

"Electrifying, spiritual and powerful," were some of the words used in assessing the first statewide 'Aha Kupuna conference Mar. 20 at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel. It also marked the fifth annual Oahu 'Aha Kupuna. Judging from evaluation reports submitted by participants, the affair was a tremendous success in all phases and they would like it continued. More than 400 kupuna from all the Department of Education districts, including the neighbor islands, joined hands in culture, song, dance, learning, prayer and fellowship in an activity-filled day-long program. Primary objectives of the conference were to: •Share kupuna lessons and teaching strategies effectively used in the classrooms. •Acknowledge kupuna contributions in the Hawaiian Studies Program and the community. •Provide opportunity for fellowship among kupuna and others. That these goals were successfully attained was quite evident. A large number of participants gave the eonference an excellent rating, further attesting to the stated goals. The districts of Hawaii, Kauai, Maui (including Molokai), Central Oahu, Leeward, Windward and Honolulu all did their presentations of an assigned instrument in an exhilirating display of talent. The jovial spirit of the occasion was heightened by a surprise appearance of Governor John David Waihee III who was immediately bedecked with leis. A haku lei po'o was graciously worn by the Governor who kept in tune with the tempo of the program. He did speak briefly and recalled that it was only a few years ago at the Constitutional Convention "We were thinking of Hawaiian in the schools. Those days that kind of talk was far out." "The culture and heritage of these islands and what they ean do for our children are simply tremendous. The very essence of our culture is in this room," the state's first Hawaiian chief executive since statehood declared. Also speaking were Richard Lyman Jr., president of the Kamehameha Schools/Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate board of trustees, and Irmgard Farden Aluli who reflected on old times and composing songs. She also performed with her group Puamana. They were preceded by Dr. Margaret Oda, Honolulu District superintendent, who welcomed the group and along with Deputy District Superintendent Ernesta Masagatani presented Palapala Ho'omaika'i (congratulatory certificates) to several kupuna. The conference was a joint effort of the DOE Honolulu District, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Kamehameha Schools/Bernice Pauahi Bishop Estate. Among those coordinating their efforts in putting the conference together were Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, OHA Kupuna Community Coordinator; Kaipo Hale, Kamehameha Schools; Helen Matsui, Honolulu District Educational Specialist and Hawaiian Studies Program coordinator; and Veronica Medeiros, Honolulu District kupuna. Violet Hughes of the host district turned in a fine performance as mistress of ceremonies. There was also a birthday girl in the crowd who was very mueh a part of the proceedings as fellow kupuna en masse serenaded Elizabeth Nalani Ellis on the occasion of her 83rd birth-

day. She is the mother of Mrs. Jenkins and widow of Richmond K. Ellis. Instruments made and used in song and hula by the districts were: Kauai — Ka La'au. Central — Ipu. Honolulu — Ka'eke'eke. Hawaii — 'Ohe Hano Ihu. Leeward — 'Uli'uli.

vVindward — Pu'ili. Maui — 'Ili'Ili. The grand finale featured all seven districts raising their voices in song, accompanied by their respective instruments. It was a sight long to be remembered and an occasion where ohana, lokahi and aloha were the rule.

Maui District kupuna and their 'Ili'ili.

Honolulu District and their Ka'eke'eke.

Windward District employ their Pu'ili.

The Ipu as performed by Central District.

Hawaii kupuna on their 'Ohe Hano Ihu.

The 'Uli'uli as demonstrated by Leeward District.

This is what part of the crowd looked like as they participated in the grand finale.

Elizabeth Nalani Ellis Hauoli La Hanau 83