Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 2, Number 9, 1 September 1985 — Success of Halau Approach Praised [ARTICLE]

Success of Halau Approach Praised

Eighty-eight youngsters from five through 14 climaxed six weeks of learning at the Waihee-Kamehameha Summer Enrichment Program with a ho'ike July 31 at the Waihee Elementary School. The program was part of the Department of Education's summer school offerings and was also a joint venture between The Kamehameha Schools,'Bishop Estate, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and Alu Like. It was the only summer presentation of its kind on Maui. Hawaiian entertainment by the Waiehu Sons and musical presentations by the students, a poi pounding demonstration and Hawaiian games exhibition highlighted the program. While the emphasis was Hawaiian, there were students of various ethnic background who attended the six-week sessions. Students eame from all over the island, including Keanae and Lahaina despite preference given to residents of the Waihee-Wailuku districts. Students used the halau approach in their program, the same method developed by OHA Kupuna Coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins several years ago for Halau O Haleiwa. Jenkins was among special guests on hand for the ho'ike. The halau approach is merely eommon sense learning in the way of the old Hawaiians — ohana, referring to the family; lokahi is unity; and aloha, love. They also learned math through computers. Jenkins explained that the halau approach also emphasizes seeing, hearing, observing, processing information and learning just like the old Hawaiians. Even parents aeknowledged the halau approach as a good learning vehicle. Aliee and Leslie Kuloloio were among kupuna who added to the success of the program under director Debbie Suzuki.