Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 10, 1 October 1989 — Halau holds ʻuniki ceremony for graduates [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Halau holds ʻuniki ceremony for graduates

Kumu Hula John Keolamaka'ainanakalahuiokalani Lake held a 'uniki (graduation) for eight of his students in Na Hanona O Ka Halau Hula Pa Ola Kapu on Sunday, Aug. 6 in Punalu'u, O'ahu.

The Kumu Hula who witnessed this 'uniki were Aunty Sally Moanike'alaonapuamakahikina Wood Nalua'i; Mililani Allen, Karen Aiu Costa, Ka'aiikawaha Kekau'ilani Kalama, Kamamalu

Klein, and Puluelo Park. Also present were na 'olapa: dancers from Papa Pala'a class: Randy Kepo'oku Kuhau, Craig Pi'ikea Gouveia, Milton Keaulana Holt, June Noenoe Jeramiah; Papa Kukui class; Alfred Kula Abiva; Papa Laua'e class; Sachiko Puaaloha Iwashita. These latter two 'olapa graduated under Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake. Ka 'uniki o ka papa pukiawe: Na 'olapa: Theo Kaleohau Aurio, Jamie Kaleinani Billena, John Kaponoaikaulikeikeao Fatongia, Robin Puakalehua Naope, Lynn Kihei Ohta, and Wendy Kalaikahonua Ono. Na Kumu Hula: Pearl Momi Lana'I, and Brother Franklin Palani Pao, S.M. The last 'uniki sponsored by Kumu Hula Keola Lake was 10 years ago. Kumu Hula Momi Lana'i and Palani Pao are the first to receive the honored title of Kumu Hula in Lake's halau. Brother Palani Pao is the first Catholic religious and the first Marianist Brother from Saint Louis School to be granted the privilege of being called Kumu Hula. Kumu Hula Momi Lana'i is a licensed practical nurse. All of the ceremonies of the 'uniki took plaee on a mound that was cleaned, prepared, and shaped into a hula mound. It was then decorated and dedicated prior to the 'uniki ceremony. A lu'au (feast) was held for family and friends wiio attended the 'uniki.

At the recent graduation are, left to right, Brother Franklin Pao, Pearl Lana'i, Wendy Ono, Robin Naope, Lynn Ohta, Jamie

Billena; kneeling: John Fatongia,Theo Aurio of Na Hanona O Ka Halau.