Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 25, Number 6, 1 June 2008 — AUĒ, UA HALA John Lake 1937 -- 2008 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

AUĒ, UA HALA John Lake 1937 -- 2008

lohn Keolamaka'āinanakalāhuiok alaniokamehamehaekolu Lake, kumu hula who established Nā Hauona O Ka Hālau Hula Pā Ola Kapu, is being remembered as an outstanding contributor to the well-being of the Hawaiian community through his promotion of Hawaiian culture. Lake died on May 14 at Straub Hospital after a five-year battle with cancer. Throughout his life, he was venerated for his wisdom and compassion that he used to inspire his students during his colorful teaching career that spanned ahnost 50 years. In 2004, OHA Trustees honored Lake with a resolution, notins his deep knowledse

of Hawaiian language, hula, chant and culture. Lake was born and raised on Maui. He earned master's degrees in education and Spanish linguistics, and was fluent in Spanish and Hawaiian. In 1962, he began teaching at Saint Louis School, where he established the first Hawaiian language class in the state. Since his retirement from St. Louis in 1993, Lake served as kumu-in-residence

at Chaminade University, whieh awarded him an honorary doctorate last year. Among his many notable achievements, Lake was a founding member of 'Ahahui 'Ōlelo Hawai'i, the State Association for

Hawaiian Language; he developed the Hawaiian Renaissance Program at Chaminade University; he was established as 'Elemakua of Nā Papa Kanaka o Pu'u Kohalā Heiau, where he was recognized as the Kuhina Nui. Lake was recognized locally and internationally as the embodiment of leadership and Native Hawaiian spiritual values. The Honpa Hongwanji in Nu'uanu named him a Living Treasure of Hawai'i in 1987, and the Native Hawaiian Education Association honored him last year as "Educator of the Year" for his lifelong dedication to indisenous knowledse. He acted as

host for the Dalai Lama's 1994 visit to Hawai'i, and was Hokule'a's chief of protocol on its 1999 voyage to Rapa Nui. Lake was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara, four children and four grandchildren. Updates on Lake's legacy projects and hālau will be available at www.johnkeolalake.org.

HE HO'OMANA'O • IN M EM ū R I A M