Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 7, 1 July 1989 — Jonah-Kuhio Kalanianaole Kaauwai named 'Governor' [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Jonah-Kuhio Kalanianaole Kaauwai named 'Governor'

Eyes of Hawai'i nei focus on 'Aha 'Opio O OHA

By Ann L. Moore Assistant Editor The eyes of Hawai'i nei were upon its young people as the second 'Aha 'Opio O OHA (youth legislature) opened June 19 at the state capitol. Before it closed the name Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole echoed onee again in legislative chambers when Jonah-Kuhio Kalanianaole Ka'auwai was elected as the youth legislature's governor by the 1989 'Aha 'Opio O OHA. The 'Aha 'Opio O OHA is sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Education Division headed by Rona Rodenhurst. 'Aha 'Opio brings high school students together and provides them with an opportunity to learn the state legislative process. Criteria for participation include being part Hawaiian and a junior in high school with recognized qualities of leadership and recommendations from school and community. In the balcony on opening day, June 19, were many groups demonstrating support and aloha for the young lawmakers. Represented were the Royal Order of Kamehameha, Aha Hui Kaahumanu, Ka Leo O Na Kupuna and Alu Like, Hawaiian Students Department of Education Kupuna, Ka Ha Mai Na Kupuna No Ke Au Hou of the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program, and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

The youth legislature's members were welcomed by a speech in the Hawaiian language given by Lokomaika'i Snakenberg, a state specialist in Hawaiian studies with the Hawaii Department of Education. As part of the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA, the young

people were asked to bring ho'okupu, (a gift showing respect) to share with their colleagues in the week-long event. In the guide to the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA, the students were advised the gift should not be store-bought but from the land or sea. The Continued page 6

The govemor elected by the 1989 'Aha 'Opio O OHA is Jonah-Kuhio Kalanianaole Ka'auwai, a student at Kamehameha Schools and resident of Kaua'i. His parents are Alieia and Kenneth Ka'auwai. On Friday, as he prepared for the final session in the week's work, Ka'auwai said he had not been able to phone his parents Thursday evening after the announcement of his victory. "I just couldn't get to the phone," he said. Jonah is a member of the Spanish club at school, was vice-president of his junior class and is president of his 1990 senior class. He was on the boarding committee at Kamehameha and represented his class with the teachers and parents group. His sports are water polo and golf. Even as a small child, Ka'auwai said, "I wanted to be a lawyer, wanted to go to Boston College then either Harvard or Georgetown University for a law degree. Then, I want to eome home, practice law, and get into politics. "With a smile he added, "My aim is, someday, to be governor of Hawaii."

Bradly Kau'i Young of Ka'u District High on Hawaii, is the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA lieutenant governor for 1989-90. His parents, Wallaee and Bertha Young had yet to hear the good news on Friday as Young waited to be swom by Chief Judge of the Intermediate Court Of Appeals James Bums. Young said he owned his successful run for the lieutenant governorship to Samuel Kekuokalini who held the office until Young was sworn this year. "We were in the halls, talking story," he said, "and the lieutenant governor's job sounded like fun and a lot of responsibility. Others inspired me, especially Cathy Romero," he said. Young is a member of Future Farmers of America and the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He was first vice-president of his freshman class and is president of his senior class. As for his future plans, Young said "I want to be a diesel meehanie, like my Dad." After 'Aha 'Opio, Young planned to stay a few days on O'ahu. "I have an aunt and unele here that I'll meet for the first time," he said.

Katherine Paleka of Kapa'a High School is the president of the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA senate for 1989-90. Paleka said that many Hawaiian youth are not prepared for the work force. Paleka said that they have an attitude that society won't "let me be smart" because of cultural stereotypes. Paleka hopes that through such programs funded by OHA, Hawaiian youth will become better educated so that they ean build their self-images and their reputations to get rid of bad stereotypes. As a youth leader Paleka said, "If you sincerely want, you ean make a difference. You need to have that desire to serve others if you want to get things done. I don't think anyone should be ashamed to be Hawaiian ..." Her parents are: Mr. and Mrs. Hemnan Paleka of Anahola, Kauai. Her father Herman Paleka is on the board of directors for Alu Like, ine.

Pua'ena Burgess a senior at Wai'anae High School is the house speaker for 1989-90. Burgess said that not only did she leam about the legislative process but, that she was able to get in touch with her Hawaiian culture and what being Hawaiian is all about. She said that in being involved in this legislature gives you a sense of pride in being Hawaiian. "I think it's important that Hawaiians do eome together to discuss these issues so that they ean get a feel for how the whole community is feeling and what kind of areas they need to work on." "Hawaiians should eome together and work together so that the whole community ean benefit from their movement and go forward — that, I think is a very important issue we need to solve." Burgess is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hayden Burgess of Wai'anae Oahu. Her father Hayden Burgess is a former OHA trustee.

Photos and text by Ann L. Moore and Lynn Oamilda.

'Aha 'Opio O OHA youth legislators took on a week of intense work to leam about govemment and their Hawaiian culture. See stories also on page 5 and 6.

C -V U a 0 1 o -V a o o k. -O o (/) £ o 45 o

Jonah-Kuhio Ka'auwai

Bradly Young

Katherine Paleka

Pua'ena Burgess

'Aha 'Opio youth face challenge of future

Continued from page 4.

youngsters exchanged these gifts and received gifts from the kupuna (elders.) The kupuna ho'okupu given to eaeh participant was a kukui leaf with a pieee of tapa on it. On top of the tapa was a stone and on the stone a kukui nut. Kupuna Maile Lum Ho Vargo hand-selected eaeh of the rocks on Hawai'i and brought them, and the kukui leaves, to O'ahu for the young people. Kupuna Betty Jenkins spoke of the symbolism of the kupuna gift. "The kukui leaf is for enlightenment. The tapa cloth is one-of-a-kind. Eaeh is different. It is shaped and pounded and nurtured into existence from the taro stalk. Taro is the female element. lt symbolizes how the young are made and nurtured by the female . It isaprocess allof one pieee. "The pohaku, the rock, symbolizes the foundation of all belief and life. The kukui nut is the spinoff. . .where the future will be. "Symbolically, our youth are all these things, a balance of the Hawaiian and the western ways." During their week at the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA students elect a speaker of the House of Representatives, a president of the Senate and other officers. They formed committees, submitted bills, held committee hearings, voted on legislation and elected a govemor and lieutenant govemor.

During eaeh day the students leamed about their state and its laws and its law-making procedures. In the evening they leamed about their culture and the history of their land. A story on one evening's program is in this issue. On the final day, June 23, Kauila Clark, planning committee chairman, told the assembled 'Aha 'Opio O OHA that though they may have initially dreaded the long week of work, they had eompleted a microcosm of life and leamed they are not set apart but are a part of the world. OHA Trustee Moses Keale spoke to the assembly about how it is ehie to be Hawaiian today and how everyone wants a Hawaiian name. "Our culture, traditions and values were defined by the missionaries and we tried to fit the definition," he said. Now kupuna are trying to re-define what it is

to be Hawaiian for future generations. He spoke about how the young people had learned how laws are made for the land. "When you leave here everything goes with you. Go plant the seed with your school, your family, your community." Gesturing towards the stuffed nene goose on the desk Keale said "Like this bird must be protected there are young people to be protected. Half the Hawaiians are under age 15. You are their leaders." The oath of office for 1989-90 was administered by Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Judge James Burns. Before he called the officers to the podium he noted the calls made to the young people to become involved, as adults, in the legislative process. "I hope," he said, "Many of you will also get involved in the judicial process." The officers elected are Jonah-Kuhio Kalanianaole Ka'auwai as governor and Bradly Young as lieutenant governor. Other officers are Katherine Paleka, senate president, Pua'Ena Burgess, house speaker, Victoria Maika'i, Konohiki (administrator) and Tamilani Poliahu, Kalaimoku (counselor). To close the program many students took advantage of an invitation to express their feelings about the week of 'Aha 'Opio O OHA. With tears and smiles, thanks were given by the youngsters, over and over again, to the OHA trustees and staff and to the kupunas who had awakened their Hawaiian consciousness during the week. As one young participant said, "We have tears for the end but happiness, too. This week we have worked as an o'hana (family). Tana Mussell, a member of the STO:LO tribe of British Columbia, Canada, said, "All the bve you have given me I will take back to Canada and spread everywhere. My memories are not just in my mind but in my heart." She was presented with the Hawaiian flag to take back to her people. At the end of the ceremony, by resolution of the congress assembled, she was given the name Pua Mohala, "Blossoming Flower." As the hour reached 1 p.m. Friday, the young people serenaded the kupuna, the staff and trustees. Then everyone in the senate chamber joined hands to sing Hawai'i Aloha as the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA for 1989 eame to a close.

Signing resolutions.

Kauila Clark receives a ho'okupu (tribute gift) from Alena Naniolu Medeiros of 'lolani High School at the opening session of the youth iegislature, 'Aha 'Opio O OHA.

Signing resoiutions passed by the assembly.

Noelani Mahi and Bobbie Kana'e at their desk in the senate chambers. Flower arrangements for the desks in the chamber were a gift from the Royal Order of Kamehameha.

Tana Mussell (left) with OHA Trustee Moses Keale. To right are advisors Don Romero and Tony Soller.