Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 July 1990 — ʻLokoʻ Snakenberg honored at gala dinner [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻLokoʻ Snakenberg honored at gala dinner

In a spirit of universal unity and aloha, more than 400 friends and colleagues of noted scholar, linguist, educator, author and historian Robert Miehael Lolomaika'iokalani Snakenberg gathered to pay tribute to the achievements of one man, who by his zeal and drive has helped fuel the renaissance of the Hawaiian language and inspired many others to do the same.

A testimonial dinner "E Hoomaika'i No Keiki O Hawai'i" was held in Snakenberg's honor May 24 at the Honolulu International Country Club atSalt Lake. It was sponsored by the Oahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AOHCC) with the kokua of Hawaiian studies community organizations, other agencies and the kupuna.

The formal program began with a candle lighting ceremony and prayer presided over by Father Joseph Friestly and kupuna Elizabeth Ellis. In unison the guests lit a candle at eaeh table to honor Snakenberg, as someone who brought light to the Hawaiian culture and encouraged many others to add the mana of their own light.

AOHCC president Jalna Keala, through Bruss Keppeler, association first vice-president, thanked Snakenberg for his commitment to working on education, language, culture and community service projects, and for his enthusiasm, attention to detail and perserverance. Snakenberg was instrumental for advancing correct use of Hawaiian language orthography by the civic clubs. He also

acted as an advocate for scholarships for Hawaiian students. "Thank you for being the man that said 'yes,' " Keala said. "Our culture is reinforced, our vision strengthened . . . because you are a part of our lives," she added. Pat- Brandt, representing Governor John Waihee, saluted Snakenberg for his dedication to preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian language through dance, culture and art and through Hawaiian studies. She noted that his gifts will flourish through the 'opio of Hawai'i. "May the 'aumakua embrace you always."

Darrow Aiona, member of the Hawaii state Board of Education read a resolution adopted by the board recognizing Snakenberg's strong eommitment to education of Hawaii's children. Snakenberg was named in 1977 as state teacher of the year. In 1979 he became the first DOE Hawaiian studies specialist and continued to demonstrate his love for Hawaiian language and culture, while spearheading Hawaiian programs in the state. OHA trustee Manu Kahaiali'i read a resolution adopted by the OHA board of trustees April 27 in recognition of Snakenberg's commitment to the

resurgence and vigor of 'olelo and na mea Hawai'i. As the evening concluded, Lokomaika'i Snakenberg took the microphone at the stage to thank his many friends and colleagues for their words of aloha. Going back to his young days as a boy in Hawai'i when he was very close to his hanai father, Noah Spencer, Snakenberg said he wasintrigued very early with Hawaiian language. From the first simple "C-A-T, popoki spells cat," Snakenberg began to study Hawaiian in the 1950s and 1960s, a time he said "when learning Hawaiian was not a popular thing to do."

In 1970 he was out of the military service and began work as a teaching assistant in French at the University of Hawai'i. He also joined Hui Aloha 'Aina Tuahine, a Hawaiian language and culture group whieh has continued since 1970. In 1971 Snakenberg went to Kailua High School as a French teacher. In 1972 he began to teach

Hawaiian, a practice he continued through evening classes for adults. He says, "It is extremely important to recognize the value of kupuna." He explained that he and Rose Yamada battled for the concept of kupuna resource teachers in the public schools in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "Nof everyone agreed to bring in community teachers with no certification, and to be paid!" he said. He worked to get people to recognize expertise whether in industrial arts or knowing the lifestyle of early Hawaiians.

Snakenberg was at last successful in convincing the legislature that the knowledge of the kupuna was of equal value. "We need to thank them for bringing their cultural knowledge to the classroom," he said. The kupuna are especially important for sharing the attitude that the 'aina we live in should be cared for."

"You are the greatest role model forchildren," language teacher 'Ekela Kani'aupi'o (left) told Snakenberg. Snakenberg inspired her to become a teacher when she first heard him speak fluent Hawaiian. She said to herself "lf this bruddah ean speak Hawaiian, I ean too." Joining Kani'aupi'o in telling humorous anecdotes about Snakenberg in Hawaiian was Naomi Losch (right), also of 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i.

Kumu hula Mapuana DeSilva (left) and Father Joseph Priestly acknowledge Snakenberg's

friendship and contributions to Hawaiian language with a hula.

Thanking the many friends and guests attending his testimonial dinner, Lokomaika'i Snakenberg (center) acknowledged the great progress made in the past 20 years to revitalize the Hawaiian language. He noted,

"You cannot understand this 'aina if you cannot understand the language . . . The depth of meaning is beyond those who don't know the language."

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