Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 20, Number 1, 1 January 2003 — Talented youths shine brightly at OHA Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino Awards [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Talented youths shine brightly at OHA Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino Awards

Student debate, art and essay winners honored By Naomi Sodetani Delighted applause and flashing cameras held by proud 'ohana attended the naming of the winners of OHA's first essay, poster and debate contests. On Dec. 7, an awards ceremony recognized the creative brilliance and outstanding achievements of 29 Hawaiian youth ranging from grades 4 through 12. About 300 attended the final debate round and awards ceremony at the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Campus' Ruth Ke'elikōlani Auditorium. The event airs this month on 'Ōlelo NATV Channel 53 (visit www.OHA.org for schedule). "I am elated that we received so many entries, and send our congratulations to all who participated in the. Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino poster, essay and debate contests," said OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o. "We plan for this to be an annual event and look forward to next year's contests." A total of 361 poster and essay entries exploring the topic of "He Hawai'i Au" (I am Hawaiian) were received from 16 Hawaiian charter and immersion schools. Hawaiian and

English essays were judged in three grade categories. All Hawai'i public and private high schools were invited to participate in the debate on federal recognition. The competitions were organized as part of the Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino Native Rights Education Campaign to increase awareness of Hawaiian rights and entitlement issues among the 'opio (youth) and their 'ohana (families). Aunty Malia Craver, kupuna spiritual and cultural consultant for the Queen Lili'uokalani Children's Center, explained her naming of the Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino (people seeking knowledge) effort in a pre-recorded interview shown at the event. "With our Hawaiian kupuna, a positive name means that it's your expectation that a person or a group of people will grow to do the things the name meant." Debate award presenter U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie urged youths to advocate for their eulture and communities grounded in the "obligation to respect that whieh has gone before. "Your mothers, your fathers, your tutus, myself, we are closer to the end of our contribution on this earth, in this life. You are at the beginning, you are part of a new century," Abercrombie said. He noted that "these awards are not so mueh a recognition of individual effort so mueh as it is the beginning of a new era in whieh those issues that

affect Native Hawaiians, the spirit of aloha, the message of Hawai'i, needs to be taken forward." First plaee poster art winners were: Kawailani Kauwēloa from Kula Kaiapuni 'O Pū'ōhala on O'ahu (K-5) Yony States from Kanu I Ka Pono School on Kaua'i (6-8); and Lilinoe Speed from Kula Kaiapuni 0 Maui Ma Kekaulike on Maui (9-12). Hawaiian essay first plaee winners were: Tehani Louis from Kula Kaiapuni 'o Pū'ōhala on O'ahu (4-5); Tania Pau'ole from 'Ehunuikaimalino School in Kona, Hawai'i (6-8); and Ilihia Gionson from Nāwahīokalani'ōpu'u in Kea'au, I Hawai'i (9-12). English essay first plaee winners were: Josilyn Hū'eu from Kanu I Ka Pono on Kaua'i (4-5); Anniellen Kanahele from Ke Kula Ni'ihau O Kekaha on Kaua'i (6-8); and Kawehionālani Kāneakua from Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'O Ānuenue on O'ahu (9-12). The Kamehameha Schools team of Anderson Dun and Keoni Mahelona won the Hawaiian issues debate. Debaters prepared to argue both sides of the topic, "Is federal recognition in the best interests of the Native Hawaiian people?" A eoin toss decided whieh team would argue affirmatively and negatively on the issue. The preliminary and final rounds of the Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino debate were eoSee AWARDS on page 5

ZT o 0 2 (T 1 I O o o ā o

[?]

AWARDS from page l sponsored by Kamehameha Schools who hosted the event at their auditorium, provided trophies and assisted with judges and refreshments. "This was a great opportunity for public and private schools to get involved to debate issues of importance to Native Hawaiians," said Walter Kahumoku, who heads Kamehameha's speech department. Debate teams representing 16

high schools participated in this first collaboration between OHA and Kamehameha Schools. 'Aiea and Kamehameha emerged as finalists after three rounds held Nov. 30 at Kamehameha's Annual Thanksgiving Invitational Tournament. Seniors Mahelona and Dun are the first to have their names engraved on OHA's newly created perpetual trophy on display this year at Kamehameha. "It was great how they got us all together to look at the issue and where we need to go," said

Mahelona, 17. "I felt very impacted by Abercrombie's words about our being the future of the Native Hawaiian people. They've done as mueh as they ean, their job is over, now it's up to us to get the Hawaiians what they deserve." "With all these pressing issues like Arakaki, the whole constitutionality question coming down on Hawaiians," Mahelona said. "Complete sovereignty might take years. We need to do something very quickly. So let federal recognition be the first step toward that goal."

Essay and poster cash prizes ranged from $50 to $100; $2,000 and $1,000 went to the first and second plaee debate teams. The overall winning poster will be featured on a T-shirt to be distributed Jan. 15 at the Nā 'Ōiwi 'Ōlino Native Rights rally at the State Capitol Rotunda on the opening day of the Legislature. (Editor's note: The first plaee posters and essays are published on pages 10-12. All essay and poster winners ean also be viewed online atwww.OHA.org.) ■

Trustees Machado, Mossman and Dela Cruz, and Administrator Clyde Ndmu'o awarding 'Opto at the NO 'Olwl 'Ollno awards ceremony y-