Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 8, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 1991 — Students touched by lessonAs of ʻAha ʻOpio 1991, [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Students touched by lessonAs of ʻAha ʻOpio 1991,

Stories by Gail Chun Ka Wai Ola O OHA intern "Sorry, but I gotta hug and kiss." These words were the underlying theme of the closing ceremonies at the Fourth Annual 'Aha 'Opio O OHA youth legislature held June 17-22 at the state capitol. The closing ceremony was a culmination of the experiences and changes that took plaee in the students, and as 'Aha 'Opio O OHA volunteer Aunty Paula Kaiwa DeMorales said, hugs and kisses, as well as tears, were abundant. The 'Aha 'Opio O OHA program, sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), teaches students about legislative procedure and Hawaiian culture. Students take on in a week what state legislators do in three months or longer — write bills, discuss them in their respective houses and committees, and either pass, amend, or kill the potential legislation. Students also learned about being Hawaiian. The opening ceremony was done in traditional Hawaiian style: the blowing of the eoneh shell. followed by an oli and pule wehe, and an eloquent weleome in Hawaiian by 1990 'Aha 'Opio O OHA Gov. Nohealani Nihipali. Then, there were presentations of ho'okupu, or gifts, from eaeh delegate, varying from Hawaiian fruit and vegetables to an 'ohehanoihu, or nose flute, from a Konawaena delegate. Students said they were most impressed by the kupuna style of teaching at every morning session. OHA kupuna Aunty Betty Ellis Jenkins, accompanied by Aunty Pua'ala McElhaney, and Aunty Ulunui Kanaka'ole Garmon taught students the symbolism of many Hawaiian objects, such as the pohaku, or stone, and the tapa cloth. "The pohaku is a symbol of the very strong foundation in whieh our culture was built. lt tells us of the foundation from whieh we have all eome from, and it expresses the Lokahi of man, god, and his surroundings . . . the tapa cloth symbolizes your individuality. While eaeh pieee was cut from the same pieee of cloth, no two designs are alike," Jenkins said. This year the lesson of the pohaku was without the traditional pohaku song, due to the recent

death of Kupuna Maile Kamai'alaupala'okekuahiwi'okapiko'omaunaloa Lum Ho Vargo. She was a member of the Women's University Board, a retiree from the kupuna component of the state Department of Education Hawaiian Studies, and a member of the 'Aha Hui Ka'ahumanu-Hilo, Ikuha'i of the Hale O Na Ali'i-Hilo Chapter, and the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club. This year's 'Aha 'Opio O OHA was dedicated Jo her memory. Despite this loss, the students were strongly affected by the kupuna teachings, enveloped in a sense of pride for the Hawaiian race. Referring to the kupunas, Lt. Gov. Napua Walea said, "They have healed us; they have taught us a little about ourselves." Throughout this week students heard from such speakers as OHA Chairman Clayton Hee, OHA Trustee Moses Keale, Sr., State Rep. Peter Apo, Speaker of the House Joe Tassel, and Joe

Pnnee, special counsel for development for OHA from Washington, D.C. The 41 part Hawaiian students participating in the program proposed a total of 62 bills, of whieh 31 were passed and signed by Gov. Luke Wong. The topics of the bills varied, and did not directly pertain to Hawaiian affairs. One staff volunteer said, "Generally, you get hearsay backed up by fact, or just a feeling. But, they (the students) are getting better at writing bills every year." This year, while some eame to the program with no ideas for bills, others eame with some already written. Students had one day to research a bill and write it. "It's total stess out," said Don Kanakawaiwai Romero, Pahoa High School principal and staff volunteer. continued page 9

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1991 'Aha 'Opio OHA Youth Legislature participants: Row 1 (l-r): Kim Konohia, Jacob Medeiros, Keone Roback, Albert Meyer, Luke Wong, Josef "Ohuki" Dean, Donovan Kealoha, Jona Oana. Row 2 (l-r): Jodi Aragon, Barbara Bailon, Kym Nobriga, Kali Finch, Jennifer Hayes, Kaylene Sheldon, Kiana Soletario, Kanoelani Aiwohi, Jaydene Kahoopii, Davelyne Keala, Renee Reyes, Vanessa Nathaniel, Maile Aniu, Aileen Kaaiai, Tara Niekell, Napua Walea, Keni Kepani, Oeline Lenehanko, Brittney Kapaona. Row 3 (l-r): Yvonne Weleh, Zabrina Spencer, Shon Pahio, Lenrick Grace, Kaialii Kahele, Daniel DeMotta, Keonali Hansen, Ui Lani Nathaniel, Kehau Marzo, Christine Pakani, Kenoalani Kamahele, Wendy Kaehuaea, Tanya Chapman, Kelii Opulauoho.

feel oride in Hawaiian spirit

But students weren't alone in writing their bills. They used resources ranging from the Legislative Re!erence Library at the state capitol and the files of the 3,127 bills introduced this year in the legislature to agencies such as the Hawaii Visitor's Bureau for information. They were also helped by the volunteers and staff, who facilitated the information gathering process with this refrain: "Sweetheart, I'll show you how to look it up real fast!" Ramona Ka'iulani Vincent, OHA education specialist, said, "Generally, you get ideas for bills that eome up every year. But then, you get some bills where you say, 'Hey, this kid has a really good idea!' " Issues that some bills addressed were: • Homeless people — Establishing havens for homeless people on the main islands whieh require taking job training programs offered and donating up to $1,500 to further the program, based on their ability to pay. • Sovereignty — The recognition and acknowledgement of Hawaiian empowerment, and establishment and funding for education workshops on the topic of Hawaiian empowerment and cultural awareness. • Abortion, and the rights of teenage mothers — Requesting a program on campus to provide teenage parents with a child-care center allowing parents the opportunity to continue their education and receive a high school diploma. • GeothermaI development — Repealing of HRS, Section 205-5.1, Geothermal Resources Subzones, halting all geothermal development. By the end of the week, students found leaving their new friends and 'ohana was difficult. "I know I've made some lifelong friends," one studentsaid. But the work is not over for the elected officers. They must stay in contact with their fellow 'Aha 'Opio participants and work on the legislation they developed. "I think they (the OHA trustees) are going to eome back and look over our bills, and maybe present them to the state," said Sen. Nalu Hayes of Hilo High School. To Rona Rodenhurst, OHA education officer,

the purpose of the program goes beyond developing bills. "We need our people to understand what the (legal) system is, to make informed choices," she said. "It is an opportunity for them to see there is more than one option for them to choose from." Romero said he believes this program has the potential to change lives. "As an educator, this is almost a mystical experience. For examole. Ikaika Da Mate (1990 'Aha 'Opio O OHA sergeant-at-arms and 1991 junior staff member) is a completely different person. He has developed a sense of responsibility, identity, and pride." Da Mate's mother, Leimana Da Mate, agrees with Romero's assessment of her son's changed attitude. "The 'Aha 'Opio O OHA has affected him so mueh that he made the all-star high school football team for his league this past year, and he credits it to his maturity from the 'Aha 'Opio O OHA program." As a junior staff member this year, Da Mate said there were many things that pulled at him to eome back and participate this year. "I wanted to experience the feeling I had last year. I made friends then that were more like brothers and sisters," he said. "I also liked the 'Aha 'Opio 'ohana, and the aloha spirit . . . the feeling, the power and control by us for the future," Da Mate said. Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Kaauwai, 1989 'Aha 'Opio O OHA governor and also a staff member of this year's legislature, agreed with Da Mate on the feeling of power emphasized to the young legislators. "The youth is what we're all about. There will be some big changes coming in the next 20 years. Here, you ean leam the right way of doing things for the future," he said. At the closing ceremony, 1990 'Aha 'Opio O OHA Lt. Gov. Sherwood Kawika Iida imparted upon his fellow students these words: "This experience has given you memories that will live in your hearts. When you go out into the real world, I want you to be strong like the pohaku, and unique like the tapa. You all have a eommon bond — you all share the Hawaiian spirit."