Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1986 — Legacy of Excellence lnherited [ARTICLE]

Legacy of Excellence lnherited

Kulia I Ka Nu'u at 'Aha Kupuna

"Many of you kupuna in this room are the heirs of this legacy of exce!lance and demonstrate this in your featherwork, lauhaia plaiting, plant cultivation, fishing and food preparation, musical composition and performance and, especially, Hawaiian language knowledge." So reminded State Department of Education Superindendent Francis Hatanaka in addressing more than 300 Oahu Kupuna at the fourth annual 'Aha Kupuna 'O O'ahu Hawaiian Studies Program conference Mar. 7 at the Queen Kapi'olani Hotel's Akala Room.

Speaking on "How Excellence Pertains to Hawaiian Studies," Hatanaka told the assembled kupuna that "you have shown to many of our youngsters of all ethnic backgrounds that Hawaiians in earlier times worked very hard to acquire the highest levels of technological skill to be able to do quite efficiently and effectively" many of the things whieh identify with excellence.

Kulia I Ka Nu'u (strive to reach the summit) was the theme of the day and Hatanaka noted that Hawaiians "could not just order that things be done and expect to get an excellent job. They had to motivate and inspire their craftspersons, artisans and workers to strive for the highest summit of excellence because flawed work was just not acceptable. The people worked toward excellence in honor of their gods and their chiefs." " Y ou seem to exude an aura of acceptance and love whieh so many of our young children need desperately," Hatanaka

said. "Please continue to practice excellence in this area," he added. He declared that he was "very happy" the state and the DOE undertook the Hawaiian Studies Program. Hatanaka added that the department and his staff "appreciate your continuing efforts to bring a commitment to excellence to our program of Hawaiian Studies." The Leeward District, headed by District Superintendent WilliamM. Arakiand DeputySuperintendent HartwellK. Lee Loy, hosted the conference.

There were presentations of recognition plaques and koaframed certificates to several kupuna and individuals, including Richard Lyman, ehaimnan of the Bishop Estate board of trustees. Another highlight of the conference was kupuna sharing where eaeh of the four districts shared integrated lessons or concepts through skits with the use of posters, signs and other visual aids.

Leeward presented the Hawaiian canoes; Central had mo'olelo 'opae e; Windward dealt with kupuna lesson plan forms on Hawaiian birds; and Honolulu's presentation was on Hawaiian plants and trees. T aking time out to visit the group at luneh time were State Representatives Peter Apo, Mike Crozier, Kinau Boyd Kamali'i and Whitney Anderson, all of whom pledged their support for the program. Lucky number drawings for several Hawaiian plants and a social hour climaxed the day-long program.