Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 7, 1 July 1989 — Students share, learn about leadership in ʻAha ʻOpio cultural time [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Students share, learn about leadership in ʻAha ʻOpio cultural time

by Lynn Nalani Oamilda Ka Wai Ola O OHA Intern The 'Aha 'Opio legislators and a few members of the OHA staff joined together in an evening of informal fun and relaxation during the week of activities. They went to Lanikuhonua, West Beach to share stories (he mau mo'olelo) and evaluate the youth legislature activities. Before the circle of students, Mrs. Lynette Paglinawan, wife of OHA administrator Richard Paglinawan and a social worker, talked about the eoncept of ho'oponopono, not only as a problem-

solving mechanism in the family but as a means for students to prepare themselves as future leaders. Paglinawan said, "as a leader you may be called upon to solve problems." She said that as a leader you have to"listen for understanding rather than punishment." Following, Richard Paglinawan, OHA administrator, gave students "ehieken skin" with his island tales and ghost stories. Students also entertained eaeh other with hula and song. OHA Trustee Manu Kahaiali'i, whose daughter Elianne was a legislator, joined in with his ukulele to provide musical backup for the dancers. Three students from Waiakea High School in Hilo shared their thoughts about the youth legislature:

Cela Hoolinokuokalani Bento, a senior, said "You can't let the culture go— you should leam the (Hawaiian) language." Leila Hopke, a senior, said that after learning about the legislative process she felt proud to be Hawaiian. Hopke hopes that every young Hawaiian will recognize and expand in their knowledge of the culture. Stacey Mahealani Kaeo, a senior, said "I think l'm going to remember my friends the most and the chamber (in the state capitol) and the feeling you get. It makes you feel that you're in control of things. . . ." To eap off the evening students formed groups to discuss and evaluate the day's events with thoughts, impressions and hopes for the future.

OHA administrator Richard Paglinawan told students ghost stories at an informal gathering at Lanikuhonua.

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