Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 7, 1 July 1987 — Re Stevenson Hawaiian Students [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Re Stevenson Hawaiian Students

Papakolea Parents Air Concerns at Conference

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA "Hawaiians have the safest, objective and reinforcing system in problem solving." This was the way part Hawaiian Midge Thompson 01er, counselor at Windward Community College, put it during a brief address to parents of Papakolea whose children attend Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate School. Parents were joined by other school counselors, teachers and some Department of Education staff members at the first 'Aha Malama Ekahi conference May 23 in the Hibiscus Room II of the Ala Moana Hotel. The conference was sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs through a grant to Stevenson for its "Identity through Language" program headed by Ernest Collins. Purpose of the Stevenson program as outlined by Collins is to "address, acknowledge and resolve the needs and concerns of our children in the formal education process." Another interpretation given by Calvin Eaton of OHA's Education Division is to use language as a means to develop self-esteem.

01er explained how Hawaiian culture became an important foundation for her and for all Hawaiians when she attended a culture workshop conducted by the Paglinawans — Richard and Lynnette. The eouple is also well versed in ho'oponopono workshops whieh have been widely acclaimed and received. "That workshop on culture turned me around," she declared. She cited the importance of a strong and extended family life. 01er observed, too, that while forgiveness is the ultimate goal in the Hawaiian way of problem solving (ho'oponopono), there is also a spiritual value to be learned and its importance as it relates to our children. "In teaching it, we also find its importance," she said. 01er added that children need to be motivated and called on parents "to get involved, hound your teachers, the schools, the administration." 01er cited some observations from a recent Ka'u Task Force study on Hawaiians and education and reported that more Hawaiian teachers are needed. " We are highly under represented in this category," she explained. "The federal government does it for minorities so why not the state?" she asked. 01er emphasized the importance of retaining the Hawaiian language whieh needs to be carried to the high school level. "We must leam it ourselves, speak it with our children and encourage it," she concluded. The 'Aha was the result of a request made to OHA by former principal Ernesta Masagatani who is now the DOE's deputy district superintendent for the Honolulu district.

As Collins noted in his opening remarks: "This 'Aha is a gathering to share knowledge and ideas with the objective of guiding our Hawaiian children to accomplishing the best of themselves through uprightedness, well being and excellence so that they may function with good human values. E ao'o ka ha Hawaii whieh translates "tq teach the breath of Hawaii" describes our goal of learning to develop, advance and educate our Hawaiian youth to excellence and when we care, we malama."

The rest of the morning was devoted to two workshops addressing the questions: "What do parents expect from the school?" and "What are the responsibilities of the home so that students ean be in a positive

learning environment?" Masagatani, Stevenson Principal C.W. Stevens and his vice pnneipal, Gilbert Chun, along with other school counselors, participated in the workshops with parents and Honolulu District Kupuna Veronica Medeiros and Solomon Kaulukukui. Concerns aired by parents and solutions or problemsolving among themselves proved very spirited and interesting. So involved were the participants that Kaulukukui had to break up the group for luneh. Another lively session was held following luneh when Kailua High School Counselor and former Chaminade University basketball star Alan Silva and some of his students put on a demonstration on the art of communication. Everyone participated and not only did they find it fun and interesting but very educational as well. Many found themselves guilty of not communicating even in the simplest of circumstances. Silva and his students put their point across in a very simple but pronounced manner, using skits, audio visual and paper and peneil. It is a lesson many of the participants will long remember. Medeiros and Kaulukukui, a brother of Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee and Ho'olako President Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr., coordinated the conference.

Ernesta Masagatani, former principal at Robert Louis Stevenson lntermediate School who is now Honolulu district deputy superintendent, and Gilbert Chun, vice principal, listen to a story by Kupuna Veronica Medeiros, second from left.

Henrietta Au Hoy Plomer, center, teacher at Hauula Elementary School, provides input at workshop session while Ernest Collins listens intently.

Alan Silva, counselor at Kailua High School, explains art of communication during workshop.