Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1985 — ʻMy Kupuna' Poem Spells Out DOE Central District Theme [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻMy Kupuna' Poem Spells Out DOE Central District Theme

It was a gathering of Central District kupuna May 24 at Kemoo Farm Restaurant as the Department of Education showed its appreciation for their work "with our kids" throughout the past school year. Gordon Y. Kuwada, Central District superintendent, expressed his gratitude for the work of the kupuna. "Your presence in our schools has helped maintain a better school climate. The process is a beautiful thing you're leaving with the schools," he observed during brief remarks. "The end product of culture and Hawaiiana are there and the spirit and climate in whieh you leave our children are more than commendable," he added. Kuwada concluded: "Where else would you find blonde, blue-eyed children speaking Hawaiian in kindergarten through sixth grade? You have been a tremendous force in working with our children. You give lots of love." Kupuna themselves from the respective schools in the Central District related various experiences they eneountered with their charges during the just concluded school year. Some were humorous, others were serious but kupuna all agreed that the eommon ingredient between themselves and their children was understanding, respect and love for one another. Some of the principals and vice principals in attendance also paid tribute to their respective kupuna and expressed high satisfaction over their performances. Evelyn Tando, central district educational specialist, perhaps summed up the tributes the best with this hastily but appropriate penned poem she composed during the lun-

eheon. Before going into the Department of Education's administrative program, Mrs. T ando was a classroom English teacher who specialized in poetry. Her instant poem that day is appropriately titled, "My Kupuna."

Like a bud Slowly unfo!ding its many delicate colored petals With fragrance sweet and mellow Nurtured by the warming sun and glistening dew Bursts forth with Radiance and beauty, My kupuna. - The friendly wind Scatters its seeds, Whose shells are pierced Fed by the kindly rain; New life meets the world Tall and erect. Touching lives, Giving life, With tenderness and love; Bringing harmony and symphony To my garden My kupuna. A number of kupuna topped off the day with impromptu singing and some hula dancing. The affair was put together by central district resource teachers Jan Yoneda and Fran Imamura.

Central District kupuna dance the hula during their year-ender at Kemoo Farm Restaurant.