Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 6, 1 Iune 1985 — Maui Kupuna Have Love Affair with Molokai [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Maui Kupuna Have Love Affair with Molokai

They listened, they observed and they absorbed everything related to them by knowledgeable resource people during a comprehensive three-day year end district wide kupuna in-service field trip May 17-19 on Molokai. The occasion marked the first off island experience by kupuna from one district — Maui — whieh also encompasses Lanai and Molokai. It was such a marvelous experience replete with all kinds of activities that Ka Wai Ola O OHA hopes it will do justice in its attempt to report the exciting doings of that memorable three-day weekend. Space limitation, of course, prevents us from writing a detailed account of the happenings but here are some of the highlights whieh clearly demonstrates the aloha spirit was ēverywhere. Love, pule, himeni, religion and a sharing with others all combined to forge a better understanding of eaeh other. There was nothing superficial about the aloha spirit. It permeated everywhere throughout that weekend. In fact, it was contagious. When questioned during an evaluation session on Sunday , May 19, as to how they would plan and deliver lessons based upon the field trip experience, kupuna responded without hesitation, observing in unison the love, hospitality and the friendliness of the Molokai people. Then they ticked off such subject matters as transportation, sites, history of the different places, explanations of historical locations, meanings, legends and many more. They couldn't say enough about the professional performanee of Harriet Ne who, despite physical disabilities, did an outstanding job in explaining the history and legends of Molokai. Ne, 69, is state historian on Molokai and is author of a recently published book, "Legends of Molokai." She described the history and legends of such places as Puu Peelua (caterpillar hill), Hoolehua, the Makahiki mural on the walls of the Molokai High School gymnasium, Kualapuu, Au Uala Puu, Kauluwai, Kalae, Meyers Estate, Kalaupapa Lookout, Kalamaula settlement, Kalamaula rock, Kapuaiwa coconut grove, Oloolo springs and Malama summer home. And who ean forget the overwhelming weleome given Maui kupuna and Department of Education staff members by the Molokai senior citizens at luneh on the day of arrival at the Mitchell Pauole Community Center. President Richard Abing Sr. welcomed the group as did Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Louis Hao. More than 200 senior citīzens showered the small contingent of about two dozen with leis. They then served the group and held a little entertainment program. Or who could easily forget the airport arriva! where Molokai kupuna Gabriel Kaaluhi and his sister, Minerva Keawe, greeted the group. A tour of East Molokai was on the docket the next day with Marsha Camara and Lorette Ritte as narrators in two vans furnished by Aunty Bella Dudoit Spencer who was always on hand to make sure there were no hangups with transportation. Points of interest covered were Kamehameha V Beach, Kauwela, Kamalo, Kapualei and the Father Damien Church, Kalua'aha Church, Mapulehu, 'Ili'ili'opae heiau, Honomuni (Paikalani taro patch), Waialua (Pakaikai), Kalanikaula, Halawa Valley (Moaula Falls). Maui kupuna took home many more memories. They will remember the mo'olelo with Aunty Harriet on the lanai of Pau

Hana Inn where they made their headquarters. They heard Aunty Harriet tell them no one really knows how Molokai got its name or that it wasn't always spelled Kaunakakai. The church service on Sunday morning at the Pau Hana Inn lanai is another memory sure to be cherished. Two kupuna — the Rev. Nani Saffery and Rev. David Kaalakea — did an excellent job. The passages they read from the bible were so fitting to the occasion. The service itself and how it was performed brought tears from the eyes of kupuna and ehieken skin to many. They sang, they prayed and they listened to the preachings of the two kahu. It was a touching service so full of grace and love. Not soon to be forgotten also was the banquet held Saturday night, May 18, again on the Pau Hana Inn lanai. All kupuna were presented certificates from the DOE signed by District Superintendent Lokelani Lindsey noting "with our sincerest appreciation for your invaluable knowledge, teaching and sharing of the Hawaiian language, history and culture." Clifford Horita, Molokai High School principal and Molokai DOE liaison, said kupuna play a great role in Hawaii. He

then noted that Hawaii has three eommon ingredients with other excellent schools on the mainland: • Effort — it will withstand time and progress. • Commitment — there is no question where it is when it comes to Hawaii's kupuna. • Positive attitude. "This is the greatest thing I noticed when I first eame across kupuna — you love our kids." Abe Kaahui, Maui DOE curriculum specialist: "The warmth and love you share with our children and the hours you prepare to spend just 30 minutes with our children represent total commitment."

Kaahui also had these observations of the church service whieh he said touched him deeply. "Hawaiians were always very spiritual. Although all of us are of different faiths, religion has remained one of our basic cultures. T oday's service brought back a lot of memories, one of them being that Hawaiians didn't need a church; they worshipped anywhere." Kaahui, kupuna and Keakealani Mitchell, Maui District Resource Teacher, were high in their praise of Office of Hawaiian Affairs Kupuna Coordinator Betty Jenkins and OHA's active participation in the weekend experience. Special tribute went out also to Pearl Punahele, OHA community resource specialist on Molokai, who coordinated the planning with Mitchell and Jenkins and who also handled logistics. That the kupuna had a love affair with the OHA kupuna coordinator was quite evident. Aunty Betty, as she is affectionately known, gave it back to the kupuna by saying: "We have learned to know eaeh other these past few days by sharing ourselves with others. We know you have given and given with no complaints. You have touched our lives."

Last but certainly not least was Oahu kupuna Elizabeth Nalani Ellis, 81, who served as a valuable resource person. Another active participant was Kau'i Billups, Hawaii district resource teacher who was always on hand when needed. There was even a special aloha from an Oahu patron, Bunzo Ringer, owner of Kukui Nuts of Hawaii in Waialua. Ringer had a strand of beautiful kukui nut leis for everyone in the party. These are authentic kukui nut leis made in his plaee of business. It was certainly a weekend to remember!

An old-fashioned Sunday religious service is performed on the lanai of the Pau Hana Inn. At far end of table in white robe is kupuna Rev. Nani Saffery who conducted the services with another kupuna, Rev. David Kaalakea.