Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 3, 1 Malaki 1989 — La Hoʻoulu A Language Feast [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

La Hoʻoulu A Language Feast

by Deboreih Lee Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA 'Olelo Hawai'i wale no ma'ane'i," read the signs posted everywhere. "Speak Only Hawaiian Today." And with minor exception, they did just that. Approximately 173 students, faculty and kupuna representing the island ehain from Ni'ihau to Hawai'i, and even students from Japan and Switzerland, attended the "T-a Ho'oulu 'Olelo Hawai'i" Hawaiian language day held February 18 at Kaua'i Community College. This is the ninth year the language program has been held and turnout this year is the biggest yet, said Hokulani Cleeland, organizing committee member. Its purpose is to promote speaking of Hawaii's native tongue through a lively program that encourages maximum participation. The moming session began with the singing of "Hawai'i Ponoi," a pule wehe (opening prayer) by Apelahama Nizo, and the ho'okipa (greeting) by master of ceremonies Kapalekilahao Keale, also known as OHA Trustee Moses K. Keale. This is the ninth year Keale, a native of Ni'ihau, has presided over the event he helped found. A highlight of the opening was the introduction of a special guest. With tears of pride brimming over, Keale read a commendation of Mrs. Angie Beniamina of Ni'ihau, for her achievements in higher education and teaching (see related story this issue). Keale noted, "This is a very big thing for all of us. . .She is one of our own."

T o the singing of the "La Ho'oulu 'Olelo Hawai'i" song, the eight hui kama'ilio (conversation groups) named after different island flowers filed out to separate locations. Everyone in eaeh group — from Punana Leo children with their parents to college students and kupuna — introduced themselves, where they were from, who their Hawaiian language teacher is, and what they did— all in Hawaiian. The featured speaker of the day was Mrs. Frances Hali'a Frazier, who presented a leeture/slide show on "Ka Pi'ilani Mo'olelo No Kaluaiko'olau," the moving story of the famous Ko'olau "the leper," as told by his wife, Pi'ilani (see story this issue). On a lighter note, there followed a game of "kaha ki'i," based on the tv show "Win, Lose or Draw," then Keahi Manea of the State Department of Health on Kaua'i shared health lessons developed for the Punana Leo Hawaiian language immersion preschools. After a Hawaiian luneh of lu'au, lomi salmon, poi, and kulolo, seven third-year language students braved the stage in a "ha'i 'olelo uluwale" (spontaneous speech) competition. Eaeh drew a topic, such as flowers, plants, the ali'i, songs, or pets and had to demonstrate their fluency for three minutes. LeilaniTam ofthe University of Hawai'iat Hilo used gestures and an expressive voice to talk about her dog Nina. Winner of the competition was Lehua Vincent, also of UH Hilo, whose comedic gift enhanced his very fluent talk about plants of Hawai'i.

More fun followed with teams acting out Hawaiian words in "pa'ani keaka" (charades). While student and teacher groups did well in eonveying words, the kupuna teams showed their vocabulary muscle power, guessing nearly every word. An afternoon kukala (auction) was handled with great humor and style by Ilei Beniamina Keale, Kaua'i Community College counselor. Among the items bid on were plants, lu'au and poi, mea 'ono (cookies), dried arrangements, a lei hulu (feather lei) andthe Hawaiian Historical Societyjournal featuring Frances Frazier's article on Kaluaiko'olau. The day's enjoyable program concluded with songs and dances shared by participants (the women from Japan and Switzerland sang "The Rainbow Connection" song in Hawaiian), and singing of "Hawai'i Aloha," before the closing pule ho'okuku. Organizer Hokulani Cleeland said planning will begin soon for next year's La Ho'oulu 'Olelo Hawai'i, and he said they hope to add more special events for the 10th observance.

Speaking in Hawaiian was the rule of the day, from registration to fina goodbyes.

I An attentive audience is all ears in the Kaua'i Community College campus center.

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Lehua Vincent, a UH Hilo language student, won first plaee for his fluent and humorous talk prompting smiles from other listening students.