Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 6, 1 June 1987 — Keaukaha's Motta, Waianae's Kaʻeka [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Keaukaha's Motta, Waianae's Kaʻeka

Academy Students Focus on Hawaiian Heritage

"I am proud of my Hawaiian heritage especially in this The Year of the Hawaiian. I also consider it an honor and a privilege to play the role of our great king." These were remarks made by a native Hawaiian student from Hawaiian Home Lands in Keaukaha on Hawaii who is a graduating senior from Hawaiian Mission Academy. The occasion was the school's May Day program May 3 in the gym. Keli'iho'omalu Motta, who plans to study medicine at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., made it a point in his brief remarks on the life of Kamehameha the Great that Ho'olako 1987 : The Year of the Hawaiian has a special meaning for Hawaiians. That set the tone for the evening's program whieh had a total Hawaiian theme staged by the Hawaiian Studies class at the school. It was directed by Hawaiian Studies teacher Rachel Kahulu Layman who also served as mistress of ceremonies. Portraying Queen Lili'uokalani was Waianae's Noeiani Ka'eka, another native Hawaiian senior who plans to study at the University of Hawaii Manoa. Her goal, she told Ka Wai Ola O OHA, is to be a veterinarian. It was a program depicting Hawaii from the days of Kamehameha the Great to the days of the ahupua'a and concluding with the arrival of many of today's blending of East and West, thus resulting in the various ethnic groups whieh make up the state population. The staging and costuming were beautiful. Eaeh segment of the program was accompanied by music and singing by the Hawaii Aloha Serenaders.Ōli aloha and kumulipo were given by Ho'oulu Richards. Hula Kahiko was also performed. There was also entertainment from the Ka'eka and Waihe'e families and from Francis Brown and his family from Hilo. Ho'okupu to the king and queen were offered by the younger students who served as kahili bearers in the procession of the eight island princesses who were Leilani Kauahikaua, Hawaii; Noelani Blake, Maui; Leilani Brath, Oahu; Ku'upua Paaluhi, Kauai; Haunani Koide,

Molokai; Kaleoaloha Kane, Lanai; Kehaulani Fergerstrom, Niihau; and Mokihana Quilinderino, Kahoolawe. The four kingdom chiefs were portrayed by Kawika McKeague, Kalaniopu'u; Kalani Ka'eka, Kaneoneo; Kamakanalani Nakoa, Peleiohalani; and Keawe Joseph, Kahekili. Playing the role of ali'i seems to run in the Motta family. Keli'iho'omalu's brother, Kalani, was in the same role two years ago. He is currently a sophomore at UH

Hilo. The Motta brothers have three sisters — Miehelle Nalani Lee, Kepola Rutkowski and Mokihana Quilinderino. They are the children of Clifford and Elizabeth Motta of Keaukaha. The program was entitled "This Land of Aloha" and was presented for both entertainment and education. A large crowd attended the nearly two and one-half hour program. It was preceded by a benefit fund-raising dinner in the school cafeteria. Among those serving the food was Hawaii first lady Lynne Waihee, wife of Gov. John David Waihee III. Mrs. Waihee, currently on leave, is a teacher at the school. Their son and daughter are students there and the Governor himself graduated from Hawaiian Mission Academy.

Noelani Ka'eka and Keli'iho'omalu Motta

Hawaii First Lady Lynne Waihee on the serving line in the Hawaiian Mission Academy kitchen.