Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 4, 1 ʻApelila 1998 — OHA-funded Hawaiian Academy perfonns in Honokaʻa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

OHA-funded Hawaiian Academy perfonns in Honokaʻa

By K0 Kahakalau tulu nā kanu o ka 'āina" chanted 50 students in unison to 450 others. Their voices rang through Honoka'a's historic People's Theater signaling a change in education in Hāmākua that could heeome a paradigm for the state. At Kanu o ka 'āina Hawaiian Academy, two pods of high school students, 88 percent of them Hawaiian, have been leaming since September from methods that are academically rigorous and culturally appropriate. On March 6, a live audience witnessed their first creation, the 90-minute hula drama "liloa a me 'Umi. The students had researched the story of Llloa, a high chief of Waipi'o and of his son 'Umi who would eventually rule the island of Hawai'i. In literature class, they read

several versions of this ancient story and then wrote their own script for the hula drama. They also explored, created and memorized a variety of chants. In arts and crafts class, the students produced all necessary props, including kapa beaters and anvils, a replica of a whale tooth neeklaee and an 8-foot structure representing Līloa's sacred platform. In addition, they choreographed dances, wrote the program and advertised and promoted the production. Kanu o ka 'Āina Hawaiian Academy uses integrated learning projects allowing for "real world" applications of all subject areas. The school accepts students of all ethnic background, however it is primarily intended for those willing to make a personal commitment to eommunal excellence by following our Hawaiian kūpuna. ■

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PHOĪO: SARAH ANDERSON |