Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 7, 1 July 1998 — If You Aak Me.... "Who is your most influential Hawaiian role model and why?" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

If You Aak Me.... "Who is your most influential Hawaiian role model and why?"

Last month, 56 Hawaiian students participated in an annual, week-long leadership and culture conference, 'Aha 'Ōpio, sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs through its Education Division. Haumāna leamed about the legislative process, how

laws are made, Hawaiian culture, protocol and values, and aloha. This year's theme was "E kākau kūkahi i ke kilohana " (make your mark on excellence). The above question was posed to the participants:

Lehuanani Ah Nee Hilo High School Td have to say that Nainoa Thompson has had a big influence on me. When you ask him a question, he answers with a question. He wants you to know that you already have the answer. He makes you figure it out instead of handing īt to you on a 'silver platter.' He makes you work for it." (Lehua was elected kia'āina [governor] of 'Aha "Ōpīo by her peers).

Kaipo Morales Waiākea High School "Bruddah lz. Mana'o wau, maika'i 'o ia, no ka mea, nui kona aloha i nā po'e a pau. Ua hō'ike 'ia ma kona mele a i ka himeni 'ana." (I ihink he [lsrael Kamakawiwo'ole] is great because he had so mueh aloha lor all people. He showed it in his songs and in his music.)

Alyson Grace University Lab School "I guess it would be my Hawaiian language teacher, Kaleoiani Akim. Wehavea small class, and she knows how to keep everyone's attention. She teaches you how to feel Hawaiian through values, language and oli. When we have questions for her, she doesn't always have the answers, but she knows where to find them. She is wonderful."

Sam Kupihe East High, Anchorage "My father, George Kupihe. He's a full blooded Hawaiian, and he taught me how to be Hawaiian in Alaska. I've never been to Hawai'i before, so what I leamed, is all from him. He's the biggest role model I ever had, not only Hawaiian, but In general."

Makalapua Tavares Honoka'a High School 'There are two people, but they're really one. Nālei and Kū Kahakalau. They make me strive for the highest and they keep me going. They always emphasize the positive and bring out the best in me. They do things in a very Hawaiian way. Before, I knew nothing about computers, but because of their Hawaiian academy, I ean do all kinds of things."

Hiram Kuilauoho Keli'ipio Jr. 'lolani School "My grandma in Hilo, Lillian Keli'ipio. Shetaughtme most of what I know about myculture. Alsomymom's dad, John Awana, because he made sure that I was exposed to my culture. Without them, I could have gone through my life at 'lolani with no idea about it. I wouldn't be here. We're crying today because we eoulel have missed this. I can't believe what I have discovered here."