Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 5, 1 May 1988 — Structured Program Keeps Living Treasures Busy [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Structured Program Keeps Living Treasures Busy

Something for Everyone at Ku'ikahi A Na Kupuna

The first Ku'ikahi A Na Kupuna (a conference on being kupuna) sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs saw the melding together of OHA and Department of Education kupuna totaling an estimated 200 during a weekend program Mar. 1820 at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The famed Waikiki landmark also served as headquarters for visiting kupuna from the neighbor islands and the far flung stretches of Oahu. Participants were offered a wide range of sessions covering an even wider scope of subject and cultural matters. It was an activity-filled conferenee with something for everyone. The OHA kupuna triumvirate of Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins, Ulunuiokamamalu Kanakaole Garmon and Maile Kamai'alaupala'okekuahiwi'okapiko'o-mauna-loa Lum Ho Vargo combined their talents to keep the conference moving at a smooth and even Dace.

Subject matters for the sessions were excellent and discussions were lively and very participatory. Kupuna went into tapa on the night of Mar. 18 along with music and kukakuka sessions identifying one's roots. The television set was then tuned to the Kamehameha Schools annual song contest at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena. The Saturday sessions opened with a message from Governor John Waihee 111, greetings from OHA Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. and State Rep. Joseph Leong and an address by State Senator Malama Solomon, chairperson of the Senate Higher Education Committee. There were two lively discussion sessions the next day on Mar. 19 under the "On Being Kupuna" subject matter. One involved conducting the conference in the Hawaiian language (see separate story) and the other was the kalo. Many memories were brought back as kupuna after kupuna related their own experiences with the taro.

Many kupuna were touched by the warmth and beauty of Kumu Hula Coline Aiu Ferranti as she presented her Halau Hula O Maiki group during the luneheon program. Her narration and the beautiful dancing of the halau girls gave kupuna "ehieken skin," bringing tears to their eyes. The entire luneheon was one of fellowship and ho'olokahi as several kupuna took the floor and Monarch Room stage to hula to the music of Halona before the Halau's appearance. Luneheon was followed in the afternoon by two sessions of Na Mea No'eau a me Kukahekahe in a jam-packed Regency Room. No one went away not learning or gaining an experience or two from any of the 36 subject matters on the program. Subjects ranged from Aha with Keoni Nunes of the Bishop Museum to Kani Ka Pila with Clyde (Kindi) Sproat of Kohala. In between, there were Lei Pua Kupe'e with Amelia Kaopua Bailey and Names and Places with Richard Lyman, chairman of the Bishop Estate Board of Trustees. Many, many more subject matters attracted enthusiastic participants. Among other presenters were Kupuna Elizabeth Nalani Ellis, Violet Hughes, Maile Caban, Bessie Astronomo, Meali'i Kalama, Hannah Kaupiko, Mae Kaleo, Harold Teves, Herman and

Freida Gomes, Susse Soares, Lena Mendonca, Kauohi Chang, Albert Loke, Lilia Hale, Henry Nalaielua and others. Those kupuna who stayed the two nights at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel checked out on Ali'i Sunday and were taken on Kamehameha Schools bus to Kawaiahao Church where they joined other Ha-

waiian organizations in a tribute to Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole. After the services, luneheon for the kupuna was hosted by the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club in Likeke Hall from where neighbor island kupuna were taken again by Kamehameha bus to the airport.

Kupuna Susse Soares of Halau O Kukelelani of Hawaii demonstrates on Tiona Wailehua how to dress a pa'u rider without benefit of pins, needles or thread.

Kupuna Harold Teves, left, of Captain Cook, Kona, explains the fishing lure held by this interested spectator.

Kupuna Norman Ching of the Waianae Coast Culture and Art Society weaves a coconut creation before two engrossed fellow kupuna.

Oahu Kupuna Elizabeth Nalani Ellis, left, and Violet Hughes, lead the discussion on Ka Makani, an informal cultural talk about winds.

Miloli'i Kupuna J. Kauohi Monfort Chang demonstrates lomilomi on fellow Kupuna Debby Morita before interested onlooker Mrs. Richard Lyman. Kupuna photos by Anne Kapuiani Landgraf