Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 7, 1 July 1987 — Celebrating the Hawaiian in All of Us [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Celebrating the Hawaiian in All of Us

No Cruisin' in Kaulukukui's Ho'olako Schedule

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Ho'olako 1987 President and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Thomas K. (UncleTommy) Kaulukukui Sr. turned in a eouple of "typical" days May 15 and 16 in what has been a workaholic schedule the past five months as he covers virtually every event and meeting to spread the word in celebration of The Year of the Hawaiian. At 74 and in the last two years of his second four-year term as an OHA Trustee, Kaulukukui doesn't show any signs of slowing down. So enriched and ecstatic is Kaulukukui over the Ho'olako celebrations that he ison the road virtually six days in the week. He addressed the Episcopal Women at their luneheon May 15 at the Tripler Officers Club just two days after returning from California where he was honored by the California State Assembly. Immediately following his talk he hopped an Aloha Airlines flight with Ho'olako Vice President Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins to speak before members of the Laupahoehoe Hawaiian Civic Club that evening. The next morning on May 16 he addressed Hawaii island kupuna at Kamuela in their year-end evaluation conference at Kuhio Hall. Following a late afternoon flight from Kona to Honolulu, Kaulukukui had another speaking engagement that evening in Aina Haina. He has used the same talk in explaining the Year of the Hawaiian and how it eame about and how especially enriched we should be in celebrating "the Hawaiian in all of us." (A story on Kaulukukui's explanation of Ho'olako, the crab syndrome relative to Hawaiians, his triangle explanation of 'Aina, Lokahi and Ha'aheo were explained in an earlier issue of this newspaper.) Kaulukukui and Jenkins werejoinedin Laupahoehoe by Hawaii Kupuna Ulunui Garmon of Kamuela and Maile Lum Ho Vargo of Hiio who have frequently been with the Ho'olako president in his appearances. Together the four have painted a tremendous picture of culture and values gleaned from the early days and to be especially carried out in this special year. Kaulukukui passes out Ho'olako brochures at all his appearances whieh have been received with warmth and enthusiasm. "Those people who said the Year of the Hawaiian couldn't happen are now climbing aboard," he would proudly say. lt was no different at Laupahoehoe and Kamuela

where Kaulukukui and his kupuna went over big. The Kamuela gathering, hosted by kupuna from Honokaa, Waimea and Kohala, featured kupuna sharing interesting facets in their lives and hobbies or activities, presentation of palapala ho'omaika'i and ho'okupu, entertainment, an evaluation session and a first class presentation of a mini pageant titled, "Hawaiian Elegance." Ka Wai Ola O OHA learned that this show has been presented thus far only on Hawaii. It is a joint effort of Gloriann Akau, kupuna at Honokaa Elementary School, and Deedee Bertleman, former kupuna who is currently a teacher's aide at Waimea Elementary Srhnnl

"Hawaiian Elegance" features beautiful native Hawaiian women dressed in the garments of early Hawaii through the monarchial days. "It was what Hawaiians and royalty wore before we became eompletely weternized," Mrs. Akau explained.

The show represents some way of retaining this part of Hawaiian history. One has to be fortunate to witness this show to really appreciate what Akau and Bertleman are trying to accomplish. Akau, who did a flawless job as narrator for the show, reminded her audience during the kupuna sharing part of the program that "we must be very careful about passing things on to others. We must be careful that these things are being passed on to those who

appreciate it." Audrey Veloria, kindergarten teacher at Kohala Elementary, in her kupuna sharing paid tribute to Hawaii's elders by singing a warm song she composed. The all-day affair, whieh drew an estimated 100 persons, including Department of Education officials and other guests, brought a successful climax to another year of dedicated service by kupuna in the public schools.

Framed against a giant backdrop of Ho'olako whieh was painted by students of Waimea Elementary School, Kaulukukui appears before Big lsland kupuna at Kamueia.

Ho'olako 1987 President and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Thomas K. (UncleTommy) Kaulukukui displays his favorite care explaining 'Aina, Lokahi and Ha'aheo at luneheon meeting of Episcopal Women at Tripler Officers Club.

Kaulukukui with same card appears before members of the Laupahoehoe Hawaiian Civic Club at their meeting.

Ululani Kanaka'ole Garmon is regal in this dress from the monarchial period.

Deedee Bertleman is shown in another period dress.