Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 4, 1 April 2010 — BE YOUR CLASS ROOM Awareness festival benefits Punana Leo o Kawaiahaʻo [ARTICLE]

BE YOUR CLASS ROOM Awareness festival benefits Punana Leo o Kawaiahaʻo

toward the entire 'ohana," says makua Brandon Wong. "Teaming up with Chevron has really helped us put the emphasis on getting keiki to heeome educated about oeean and marine conservation and safety as well as Hawaiian culture as it pertains to the oeean." Last year almost 5,000 people attended. "It's a huge undertaking," says veteran makua Dean Hirohara. Parents plan, organize and run the annual event. All the proceeds go directly to Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha'o, supporting Hawaiian language educational tools and classroom supplies for the keiki and helping to defray the costs of cultural and educational field trips. It's all for the keiki - and they have lots to look forward to! "My keiki have especially enjoyed and learned a lot from the nonprofit Nā Kama Kai's surf clinics held throughout E Mālama I Ke Kai," says Wong. "I can't tell you how mueh fun the keiki have taking part in the oeean activities, such as stand-up paddling through the clinics." His daughter Hikianali'a, 6, graduated from Pūnana Leo; her sister Leina'ala, 3, is a current student. This year, makua have planned a "Choose Your Weapon" heihei wa'a from Maunalua Bay to Kaimana Beach Park. Participants ean enter to race using anything from a eanoe to a stand-up paddleboard. Also new this year -"We're hoping to make it a plastic bottlefree event," says makua Anuenue Punua. "So we'll have reusable drink containers for sale, and we're encouraging people to bring their own." Water stations will be set up around the event for refills. "And we're really excited about the entertainment!" she says. The lineup includes Jeff Teves Band, Nā Pualei o Likolehua (Kumu Hula Leina'ala Kalama Heine), Hālau o ke 'A'ali'i Kū Makani (Kumu Hula Manu Boyd), Kūpaoa and Paula Fuga. E ola mau ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i! ■ '(> Nara Cardenas ka makuahine o Marialei, 3, he keiki o ka Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha 'o. Nara Cardenas is the mother ofMarialei, 3, a student atPūnana Leo o Kawaiaha 'o.

[Hhl www.oha.org/kwo