Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 13, Number 6, 1 June 1996 — Waiʻanae students get a May Experience [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Waiʻanae students get a May Experience

by Kelli Meskin Every May, for the past 12 years, Hawaiian role models have gone the distance for the students of Nānākuli and Wai'anae High and Intermediate schools by giving them some of their cultural knowledge and instilling pride in the next generation of Hawaiians. "From humble beginnings you ean make something of yourself," said Nathan Nāpōkā, of the state's Historic Preservation Division. Nāpōkā has volunteered to be a part of the May Experience for years. "One reason is because I have a bureaucratic government job and this

gets me in touch with the community and a ehanee to give back," he said. The May Experience is a two-week cultural education program organized by the community to teach students and teachers Hawaiian cultural values and traditions. Speakers bring these traditional ideas and values into the classroom so they ean be applied to modern society. A range of topics are addressed, from spirituality, chant, and oeean voyaging to language, sovereignty and health. This year Nāpōkā brought with him Aunty Pat Bacon, a living treasure of the Hawaiian culture. Together they enlightened and educated Hawaiian language students in Kumu Leilani Aken's class at Wai'anae High School on traditional chants and poetry. "I feel it's a real challenge, a lot of these students are not lectured on culture. I feel it's something we have to nurture," Nāpōkā said. "That's the reason I brought Aunty Pat, to show that things ean be passed on and it's a wonderful culture." Aunty Pat, who rarely dances hula these days, showed her vitality by dancing to a chant for Pele. "It's a good idea that people would eome so far to speak," said Kalani Akana, a Hawaiian language immersion teacher at Waiau elementary school, "often Wai'anae and other areas are neglected." Akana also brought a guest with him, Kupuna Elizabeth Kauahapuala. She explained to a different group of students that when she was growing up she could only speak English in school. It was illegal to speak Hawaiian. If she spoke Hawaiian she'd get hit on the hand with a ruler. Her parents wanted her to speak Hawaiian at home so she

would know the language, but, if the wrong language slipped out at the wrong time, she was punished. Today's generation has it a little different: to be Hawaiian isn't looked down upon like it onee was. "Today you ean be brown and proud of who you are," Nāpōkā said. Especially in Wai'anae where a high percentage of the community is Hawaiian. Rev. Kaleo Patterson, a 1972 graduate of Wai'anae high school, remembers barely graduating. Returning to the school as a speaker and a role model in the May Experience brought back all kinds of memories. "I think it's helpful to do modeling and give signs of hope, kids need signs of hope." Paula Akana, a news broadcaster from Ohannel 4, gave hope by sharing experiences she would never have had if not for her position as a news anchor covering Hawai'i's unique culture and environment. She's had the opportunity to hover over hot lava in a hehcopter and hear it crackle, travel to Alaska for the arrival of the Hōkūle'a, visit the Cook Islands, Kaho'olawe and the island of Ni'ihau. She encouraged students to go to college, get internships or just get as mueh experience as they ean. The May experience is inspiring for teachers and students alike. "It really puts me back in touch with what's important and what we value," Kumu Aken said. OHA has been supportive of the May Experience since the very beginning. Kupuna Betty Jenkins helped to organize speakers and participate in the program as well. This year Kupuna Jenkins and Kupuna Nālehua Knox took Hawaiian values, learning styles and teaching strategies to the schools.

Paula Akana speaks to Wai'anae High School students last month at the May Expereince.