Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 1, 1 January 1997 — OHA honors 1996 'excellence in education' awardees [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA honors 1996 'excellence in education' awardees

OHA honored outstanding educators at its sixth annual Excellence in Hawaiian Education Awards dinner, Ke Kukui Mālamalama. The award seeks those who have excelled in educational leadership, curriculum development, educational innovations, provided sensitivity to Hawaiians, and encouragement ol Hawaiians in educational endeavors This year's winners of the Ke Kukui Mālamalama Awards are: Fred Cachola, Lorraine Gomez, Alberta Pualani Hopkins and Beverly Vierra. These four awardees have eontributed to the education of both Hawaiian youth and adults as teachers, motivators and practitioners. For 30 years, Fred Cachola has been a teacher, a vice-principal and a Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate Community Education director. His community activities include the Pol nesian Voyaging Society (as an original director and chair of the educatic

committee) and Protect Kaho'olawe 'Ohana (as the first vice president). 1 Lorraine Gomez is a 29-year teaching veteran and an outstanding language arts resource teacher at y- Lahainaluna High School. Gomez developed the Hawaiian performing in ensemble and she volunteers two

nights a week to work with the Boarder's Chorus and the Hawaiian Club at her j school. She is | well-versed in [ Hawaiian values S and is a role model for others. j She was a director j of the Lahaina Restoration Foun- ' dation, Malu Ulu o Lele Cultural Center and Nā Mele o Maui Committee.

Alberta Pualani Hopkins is a leading figure in Hawaiian language. She has set the highest standard of quality for Hawaiian language as professor, textbook author and program coordinator. She has worked with (he University of Hawai'i at Mānoa and Hilo

and the Department of Education eonducting workshops, conferences, seminars and more. She has retired the acting dean of students at UH-Mānoa. Beverly Vierra teaches Hawaiian and Japanese language at Kailua Intermediate School. Her lessons instill pride, dignity and self respect. She has worked closely with a team of parents to implement the Hawaiian language immersion program at Pū'ōhala School. Also recognized for outstanding work in Hawaiian education are this years nominees: Edward W. Collier - Kumu Hula, dance instructor at 'Iolani School. Art Fillazar - Student Activities Coordinator at Lāhainaluna High School, Maui. Nā Leo Pilimehana (Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima and Angela Morales) - Angels of Music Mentoring Project Pōhaku Nishimitsu - Hawaiian Studies Teacher at King Kaumuali'i Elementary School, Kaua'i. i

1996 Ke Kukui nominees, (back)Pōhaku Nishimitsu, Ed Collier, Angela Morales, Lehua Kalima, Nalani Choy, Miehael Nakano (representing Art Fillazar). (Front) Lorraine Gomes, Beverly Vierra, Alberta Pua Hopkins, Fred Cachola.