Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 1, 1 January 1985 — Double Blessing Mark Honaunau Ceremonies [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Double Blessing Mark Honaunau Ceremonies

By Ruby McDonald Community Resource Specialist West Hawaii

The Kai Malino and Kāi Hofo. two boats acquired for the students at Hale o Ho'oponopono School, were blessed Nov. 30 on the school grounds adjacent to the Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park. The Rev. Leon K. Ster-

hng Jr. handled the blessing with a pule wa'a. The Kai Malino is a 17-foot V-bottom fiber form with a 65 horsepower Suzuki outboard motor and an auxiliary six-horsepower Johnson. It will serve as a learning instrument for the students, help reduce stress and provide an environment for optimum growth evident by the poke served at the paina luneheon. The Kai Malino had been taken on its maiden voyage a few days before by Unele Aki, Jason Aki, Jerry Arle and Earl Regidor who brought in 90 pounds of ahi. The acquisition of an Australian racing kayak by Puna and Harvey Low was also reported. lt is for the staffs use of reducing stress and enjoying it. Principal George Kahumoku heartily agrees. "Its an enjoyable way to break the role of school work, providing one ean keep one's balance." The original Kai Malino was donated by Robert and Diana Nui. lt eventually wore out its seaworthiness, making it possible for a trade-in transaction for partial funding towards the new craft. Hale o Ho'oponopono is an alternative education program funded by The Kamehameha Schools/ Bishop Estate and the Department of Education. Its program goals are to: • Affirm the students' self-worth and Hawaiian cultural awareness. • Provide an environment for reduced stress and optimum growth. • Learn problem-solving, coping, decision making and thinking. • provide the basic skills for functioning successfully in the mainstream. These goals have been successful in returning students to the main campus at Konawaena High School. In addition to the Nuis, others deserving of mueh mahalo and aloha are Wally Lau, director of alternative education, KS/BE, in his quest for funding; Mune's Repair Service of Kona for coordinating the purchase.