Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2001 — ʻAleʻa, Kaʻau at language benefit, Feb. 18 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAleʻa, Kaʻau at language benefit, Feb. 18

By Manu Boyd fEBRUARY IS "Mahina 'Ōlelo Hawai'i" or Hawaiian Language Month, and leading the slate of supporting events is an annual 'aha mele (concert) you won't want to miss. Ho'omau 2001 is the 16th annual fund raiser for six O'ahu Hawaiian language pre-schools and immersion

sites, namely Pūnana Leo o Honolulu, Pūnana Leo o Wai'anae, Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha'o, Kula Kaiapuni 'o Pū'ōhala, Kula Kaiapuni 'o Nānākuh and Kula Kaiapuni 'o Ānuenue. Pūnana Leo preschools, first established in 1983, and kula kaiapuni (immersion schools) following in 1986, were a direct result of Hawaiian reclaiming its

status as official in the state, via the 1978 Con-Con. The initiative's success in educating students in the Department of Education curriculum using Hawaiian as the medium - not merely teaching Hawaiian language - is evidenced in three high school graduating classes todate including those students who began as pre-school-ers in '83. Today, 17 immersion sites from Kea'au to Kekaha enroll nearly 2,000 in grades K-12, as well as nreschool.

Annual Ho'omau benefit concerts have been a big help in supplementing educational costs for this program, but as the program has expanded, so have its fiscal needs. Immersion smdents, parents and families are among the hardest working in the D.O.E., ensuring the continuanee of this program sup-

porting the right to be educated in Hawaiian. 'Ōlelo Hawai'i is the language of no other plaee on Earth. Supporting this year's cause is a star-studded roster of celebrities who will take to the stage at the Waikīkī Shell Feb. 18, at 5 p.m. 'Ale'a, Ka'au Crater Boys, Three Plus and Weldon Kekauoha are among popular recording artists added to the long list of those who have lent kōkua over the years. Mana 'Ohana, Homestead Style, and, of course, nā keiki o nā Pūnana Leo a me nā kula kaiapuni round out the performers at the event. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell Box Office and at all Ticket Connection outlets. $18 reserved, $15 general, $8 keiki (5-8), manuahi (4 and younger). Concertgoing is always great - but when you ean lend support to programs supporting the re-birth of the language of our ancestors, the music is oh so mueh sweeter. No ka 'ikepili hou a'e, e kelepona iā Kau'i Kealoha ma 843-1697. (For more information ...). ■

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