Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 4, 1 April 1985 — Aloha Qualities of Kupuna Spelled Out [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Aloha Qualities of Kupuna Spelled Out

District resource teacher and coordinator of the day's program with fellow DRT Janice Yoneda. A slide presentation depicted the harmonious working together of kupuna, teachers, students and the community. The last letter "A" stood for accomplishments and this was described by Robert Lokomaika'i Snakenberg, educational specialist in Hawaiian Studies, DOE Office of Instructional Services. Snakenberg, who delivered his talk in Hawaiian and later distributed its English translation, said: "You have succeeded in reaching and teaching children and teachers who have forgotten or never learned what real kupuna love is. You have become kupuna for dozens and hundreds of mo'opuna of all ethnic backgrounds who lost or perhaps never had their own kupuna. You brought Hawaiian love and understanding to little children and to adults who might have been hurt, unhappy, misunderstood or unloved. "You have lived and taught among our children and teachers as models of graciousness, knowledge, skill, understanding and love. Y ou not only told stories but you recreated the living history of your lives and the areas where you grew up. "They will remember not only your stories but more importantly your essence — how you looked at them with love, how you spoke to them with love and how you cared for them with love through every action whieh you carried out during your time with them." Presentation of creative songs by eaeh of the four districts concluded the program. Kupuna composers of the songs were acknowledged, sung by eaeh respective group and even danced to. It was a beautiful presentation that proved very entertaining and heart-warming. Evelyn Tando, central district educational specialist, served as mistress of ceremonies. Among others in attendanee were Noelani Mahoe, OIS staff developer; Mahealani Pescaia, OIS curriculum developer; Bishop Estate Trustee Richard Lyman; OHA T rustee Gard Kealoha; and State Sen. Charles Toguchi. Resource teachers who led their respective groups were Kawao Durante and AI!ison Ledward, Windward; Solomon Kaulukukui and Helene Fergerstrom, Honolulu; Alohalani Kaina and Kalani Akana. Leeward; and Mrs. Yoneda and Mrs. Imamura. Central. It was announced that Leeward will host the 1986 gather ing.

Windward District Kupuna Vera Rose does a hula to the song, "Ku'u Hoaloha," whieh was composed by fellow Kupuna Victor Kala, pictured at the microphone singing his own composition.

District Resource Teacher Kawao Durante of Windward visits with these kupuna during a break. Such goings-on highlighted the aloha atmosphere whieh was contagious throughout the workshop.

Unique qualities of the kupuna. spelled out in the word A-L-O-H-A, demonstrated their affection, loyalty, outstanding performance, harmony and accomplishments in the Department of Education's Hawaiian studies program throughr out the state. "Kupuna — A Lifetime of Aloha," was the theme of the third annual 'Aha O Na Kupuna O O'ahu Mar. 8 at the Honolulu International Country Club. More than 225 kupuna were honored for their "work, dedication and service to our children" as Gordon Y. Kuwada, superintendent of the host DOE Central District, put it. "We honor you today for your work, your contributions in our schools and we say mahalo," Kuwada added in brief opening remarks. The spirit of Aloha and the best example of love were never more evident than on Mar. 8 when kupuna kissed, hugged. rapped with eaeh other and hung loose for this was their day and they were making the most of it. The five-segment presentation of the word A-L-O-H-A was accompariied by song or narrative. A medley of Aloha songs learned from the kupuna was sung by a group of children from Wahiawa Elementary School to demonstrate the first "A". The "L" was spelled out as meaning loyalty and it was described by Office of Hawaiian Affairs Kupuna Coordinator Betty Jenkins who reflected on the late Pilahi Paki's focus on the !etter to represent lokahi, meaning unity to be expressed with a feeling of harmony. "For today's purposes, we are looking at "L" to represent loyalty as understood by Hawaiians to be synonomous with allegiance, trust and faith, and as Aunty Pilahi would have phrased it, to be expressed with a feeling of devotion to a righteous purpose. "Kupuna, you bring to our classrooms life's richest experiences, feelings of splendor, trustful faith, generous hospitality, loving kindness and unchanging truth. The rewards are ours and we are grateful," Jenkins noted. George Nakasone, pnneipal of Wahiawa Elementary, described lots of reaching out taking plaee at his school, noting that "our kupuna are highly visible, not only in the classroom, but in the community of Wahiawa as well." Kupuna, he reported, have turned in outstanding work above and beyond the school day. "Their involvement have added an aura of dignity and mueh significance," Nakasone related. Harmony was described by Frances Imamura, Centra!