Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 11, 1 November 2000 — "Hoʻi i ka Waiwai" [ARTICLE]

"Hoʻi i ka Waiwai"

Nā Pua No'eau program nourislies Hawaiian stucients on Maui

By Sunnie Kaikala Hu'eu Note: Sumiie Kaikala Hu 'eu, Nā Pua No'eau coordinator at Maui Community College, along with Curriculum Specialist Kanani Anton, submitted this story recapping "Ho'i i ka Waiwai," a Hawaiian cultural program conducted during NPN's summer institute.

Eō...our voices resonated the oh kono, inviting 16 slightly nervous students to join the the kumu and kōkua as the ceremony began at Pihana Heiau. With the bright sun, symbolic of Kāne, bathing them in light, Kumu Pūlama Collier greeted the keiki o ka 'āina, introducing them to their kuleana using symbols ofkalo, pa'akai,

'ulu, kukui and wai, whieh were displayed on a lauhala mat at the piko of the hale. As students sipped water from

an 'apuwai, they accepted their kuleana for the two-week journey ahead. The study experience centered on the ancient mo'olelo of "Nā Wai a Kāne" (the waters of Kāne), based out of the eastern Maui districts of Ke'anae, Hāna, Hāmoa and Kīpahulu where water is abundant, and the more arid districts of Kaupō, Kahikinui and 'Ulupalakua. Insight was gained through ancient mo'olelo about water, as well as the

accounts of contemporary families who eontinue to depend on this precious resource. The students then synthesized ancient and modern information, with the ultimate objective of creating a website to share their experiences with the world. Late one evening, the Kupau family of Pukuilua, welcomed the haumāna to their property. Along a

torch-lit path, the group was lead to a moonlit pasture where "Aunty Cece" related mo'olelo. She spoke of the

importance of knowing who you are, where we eome from and what we must do with that knowledge. She paralleled this understanding with the symbol of fire buming behind her. "Do you tmly love your ancestors?" she asked. For some, this was a reflective moment urging them to research their family history. For others, it eonfirmed that they were already on the right path. We stood in awe of the Kupau family's love and respect for what was handed down to them and their commitment in perpetuating that knowledge. Armed with knowledge and lots of inspiration, the students, assisted by Lau-

ren Apiki, director of LET Academy (learning education technology), developed a web site that shares the imagery of "Nā wai a Kane" through story-telhng. for all participants, the joumey was moving, thanks to the hospitahty and aloha of the east Maui 'ohana. Combining traditional knowledge and modem technology was intriguing and thought-provoking, capturing attention and interest, triggering the imagination of the student participants. Visit the website at http://gamma.mhpcc.edu/napua/waiwai/i ndex.htm. ■

Insight was gained through ancient mo'olelo about water, as well as the accounts of contemporary families who continue to depend on this precious resource.

[?]