Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 3, 1 March 2012 — Spreading ocean awareness [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Spreading ocean awareness

By Nara Cardenas Kaho'okahi Kanuha remembers learning about the oeean as a child "going fishing with my tūtū wahine, diving with my dad and uncles and cousins." "I started paddling when I was 8 years old for Kai 'Ōpua Canoe Club in Kona, whieh my family has been a part of since the 1930s. The teachings of my dad, uncles, older cousins and grandma are what guide me in my ocean-going practices, inspires me to teach the keiki about the kai," says Kanuha, who incorporates that knowledge into her role as the Kumu Alaka'i at Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha'o. The school's curriculum in part aims to "plant a seed in the keiki, so they ean look back on their memories and know how to care for the oeean, so that the resources it provides us are never lost," she says. It's fitting, then, that the Hawai-ian-immersion school's annual fundraiser, E Mālama I Ke Kai, is all about the oeean. E Mālama I Ke Kai happens Saturday, March 17 at Queen's surf heaeh and is free and open to the puhlie. Traditional Hawaiian crafts, oeean activities and exhibits and demonstrations featuring Nā Kama Kai, Hi'ilei Kawelo, Bonnie

Kahape'a, Umi Kai and many more. Activity highlights include: » Heihei Wa'a from Maunalua Bay to Kaimana starts at 9:30 a.m. and is open to OCl/OC2, V 1, Surfski, Paddleboard and SUP. Entry fee is $25 if you preregister online at emikk.org, or $30 on the day of the race. All race entrants will receive a hat, T-shirt and 'ono Hawaiian luneh, and be eligible for prizes and giveaways. Luneh will be served at Queen's surf heaeh following the race. » Free Oeean Clinic, sponsored in part by OHA, features traditional kai activities for the whole family, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen's surf heaeh. Registration at nakama kai @ hotmail.com. Also ahead, in a year of transition for Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha'o, the school will be moving to a new site in Mānoa. To raise funds for the move, the parents of the current class are hosting an 'Aha 'Āina to celebrate 16 years. 'Aha 'Āina takes plaee Saturday, March 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Waiklkl Aquarium, with Hawaiian food, and entertainment by Manu Boyd, among others. Individual tickets are $65. Lei Līpoa donations of $1,000 include VIP seating for eight. For information, visit emikk.org. ■

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Kealoha'āina Wong, 3, gives a ho'okupu to a kupuna at a limu eleanup. INSET: Keiki enjoying a ride in Maunalua Bay - Courtesy photos: Lisa Leilani Ka'anoi