Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 1, Number 8, 1 ʻOkakopa 1984 — Nihipalis Create Unique Learning Art at Pupukea [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nihipalis Create Unique Learning Art at Pupukea

High up on the plateau of Pupukea stands 1 .4 acres of land that is being utilized in a first-time unique learning expenence for 23 youngsters age 8 to 18. The land and home belong to Kunani and Ipo Nihipali, a young eouple who established a Hawaiian Fine Arts program for these youths from Waialua to Kahaluu. This was an eight-week program held Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is a pilot program with funding from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. It is also the only program of its kind where a majority of the participants must be native Hawaiians (50 percent or more Hawaiian blood). The Nihipalis offer their charges an accelerated program not found elsewhere.in the state.

The participants are into such things as multi media, lauhala and feather weaving, air brushing, hula, language, farming, fishing and stone, clay and wood sculpting. They are also into art with pen and ink, pencils, acrylic and other meelia. The Nihipalis view this as an art program, henee the project title of Hawaiian Fine Arts. "Everyone is an artist in whatever field he or she pursues," Kunani explains simply. The project has 16 instructors, including one from Niihau — Mileka Kanahele. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs' involvement is through Land Researcher Ke'ala Ako, an accomplished hula dancer, who teaches hula. Another instructor is Raymond Kalili Jr., who teaches farming and fishing. Among other things, he teaches them how to use the various farming tools and explains the different plants and why they're important. The project was climaxed by a pa'ina Aug. 25 in whieh the youngsters were also involved in the food preparation. As an example, Kalili taught students how to lay a net and explain the hukilau. Whatever was caught was used forthe luau. He also explained the different species of fish and how to prepare them raw or cooked. Kunani explains that theirs is a learning program, teaching these youngsters Hawaiian values, respect, protocol, culture and eeonomie development among some of the goals. "We're teaching the value of aloha and the value of eeonomie development. It is very necessary for their future to learn the

value of money," Kunani said. He also repored that of the four Hawaiian hemophiliacs in the stae, three are in their program. "These kids," Kunani proudly declares, "go home with a positive attitude because we're getting glowing feedback from their parents." "These parents have told us how hard head and rascal their children used to be. But their attitude and behavior patterns have changed since they entered the program," he added. "lts a two-way thing," Kunani expalins. "Parents must be interested in their children and more importantly they must spend time with them." Parents and invited guests attending the Aug. 25 luau saw an exhibit of the students' works and enjoyed a complete Hawaiian repast. Kunani is a Honolulu product who retired from the Honolulu Poliee Department on disability. "While 1 grew up in the city, my roots have always been in the country," Kunani declared. He said he has two other brothers still with the department. Ipo originally hailed from Wahiawa. They are the parents of a son, Kunani, 15, and daughter, Nohealani.l 1. A modest two-bedroom home includes a large detached do-everything bulding and an even larger shed where the projects are conducted. A dirt floor, however, poses some problems but everyone has been able to eope with it. "lt would sure be niee if an angel or angels ean see fit to contribute some materials so we could have a decent floor." Kunani laments.

He said they would weleome contributions of all kinds of materials. "There's no worry about manpower," he said. The Nihipalis are looking forward to hosting some members of the Maori eommunity from New Zealand who will be coming to Hawaii on an exchange visit in December with the Young Hawaiians of the Puna Hui Ohana. Kunani visited with them in May, 1981, and he said he learned so mueh from that visit it gave him the impetus to start his fine arts program. While the pilot program has ended, the Nihipalis said they are looking atanadult version of it because the parents and other interested adults have broached them about the idea.

These basket weavers, from left to right, are Louise Kekahuna, Molokai, and Waianae C'oast C'ulture and Arts Societ\ participants Freida Gomes, Sara Kawailima and Elizabeth Kawahipaula.

Agnes Cope, kupuna, artisan and director of the Waianae Culture and Arts Society, presents OHA Chairman Joseph Kealoha with kalo wrapped in lauhala.

Ipo Nihipali checks on feather work being done by participants. They are separating feathers for eventual use in assembling kahilis.