Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 2, 1 February 2009 — Ho'omau concert to benefit Hawaiian immersion on O'ahu [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ho'omau concert to benefit Hawaiian immersion on O'ahu

By Sterling Wnng Mark your calendar for Feb. 15, when thousands of Hawaiian language supporters will descend upon Waikīkl Shell for Ho 'omau 2009, a concert bene-

fiting 0'ahu's 1 1 Hawaiian inunersion schools Sponsored by Kamehameha Schools, this year's concert will feature perfonnances by Keah'i Reichel, Sudden Rush, Waipuna, Kūpaoa, Holunape, 'Ike Pono and the keiki of the participating schools. The theme of this year's concert is "I maika'i ke kalo i ka 'ohā," whieh means "the quality of the taro is judged by the young fruit it produces." In the last 20 years, the Hawaiian language education movement on O'ahu has made great strides, despite a shortage of funds. The first Hawaiian immersion school on O'ahu, Pūnana Leo o Honolulu Preschool, opened its doors in 1985, and last year's Class of 2008 marked the 10th high school graduating class. All proceeds from Ho 'omau are divided among 0'ahu's 11 iimnersion schools, whieh combined serve nearly 1,000 students from preschool to the 12th grade. Eaeh

immersion school's curriculum is taught completely in the native language of Hawai'i. The ultimate goal of all of these schools is to preserve this once-nearly extinct language by creating new generations of native speakers. Immersion schools have unique needs that require more funding than conventional English schools. Among other things, they need to create curricula that are appropriate for an inunersion enviromnent, translate or develop Hawaiian textbooks and provide for teacher training and development. Pre-concert tickets are available at the Neal Blaisdell Center box office. Call 591-2211. Preconcert tickets are $8 for keiki ages 5 to 8, and $15-$18 for adults. Tickets the day of concert are $10 for keiki ages 5 to 8; $17 for grass, $20 for reserved. Keiki 4 years old and under are free. For more information about Ho'omau, eall Kau'i Keola at (808) 551-3631. M I

NĀ HANANA - EVENTS

Keali'i Reichel (left), Holunape and others will make musical magic to benefit learners of Hawai'i's first language, like these keiki from Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha'o. - Photos : Keali'i Peiehel, courtesyof RandyJ. Braun, students by Blaine Fergerstrom