Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 10, 1 ʻOkakopa 2011 — A commitment to serve [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A commitment to serve

By Joe Kūhiō Lewis OHA Youth Coordinator Seventeen-year-old Makanaokalani Waiamau is this month's Ola Ke Kalo I Ka 'Ohā recipient. The Llhu'e, Kaua'i, native was selected for her contribution to making a positive difference in her community. Waiamau's world was shattered at the young age of 14 when her father passed away suddenly. She had the will to ho'omau, persevere, and use her loss to set a positive direction. She decided to honor her father's life by living through his example. "My father instilled in me the importance of being determined and passionate towards helping others," she said. She also credits her grandparents and mother for instilling in her good values, like aloha (love), mālama (care for), hō'ihi (respect), ha'aha'a (humility), kuleana (responsibility), kōkua (help) and lokomaika'i (generosity). "My grandparents taught me to make good choices. They gave me a solid foundation that has allowed me to heeome

stronger person," said Waiamau. Waiamau, a former boarding student at Kamehameha's Kapālama campus, spent mueh of her free time volunteering with Kamehameha's Kahu Kordell Kekoa. "Makana has a good heart," Kekoa said. "She gives willingly and never asks for anything in return. Makana would eome two hours prior to the start of our church service to see if I needed any assistance. That's the type of character Makana has." Melody Lopez, a staff member at the Queen Lili 'uokalani Children's Center's Kaua'i office, credits Waiamau for the countless hours she spent mentoring her peers: "Losing a parent is no easy ordeal. Makana has been there to serve as a role model and an inspiration to her peers who have also suffered the loss of a parent." Waiamau enjoys swimming and working with young children and has accumulated more than 1,000 volunteer hours in five years with QLCC and Kahu Kai, an aquatic recreation and safety management firm. Waiamau has dedicated roughly 200 hours per year, or four times more than the average volunteer. "I'm motivated by everything around me, especially the smile on kids' faces as I watch them play," she said. In addition to her work with the community, Waiamau is a source of strength for her family. "Makana is an inspi-

ration. She makes me want to be a better, stronger person," says mom Thalia Waiamau Gonzales. Waiamau is attending Kaua'i Community College and planning to major in early education. "If there's anything in life that I would enjoy doing, it would be helping others," she says. ■ In recognitton of our youth who make a positive differenee in our community, eaeh month we will be featuring outstanding youth. Ifyou wouM like to nominate a youth to befeatured, please eall (808) 594-1811.

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Makanaokalani Waiamau has accumulated l,000-plus hours of volunteer work in five years. - Photo: Courtesy of Makanaokalani Waiamau