Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 36, Number 10, 1 October 2019 — A young voice for the Mauna [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A young voice for the Mauna

By Aliantha Lim-Tepper Pāheona Aiwohi began attending papa oli with her tutu Pi'i in Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike O Pi'ilani when she was barely three years old. It reflected her 'ohana' s deep commitment to living and perpetuating Hawaiian values and culture. Despite being a toddler, Pāhe was always attentive and participatory in her oli class. She loved to dance hula too and would practice with her mother, Keli Aiwohi, and sister, Ka'iulani, at home. When she turned four she was officially enrolled in the hālau's keiki hula class. "I love dancing hula and singing. It makes me happy I get to do stuff that makes me Hawaiian like my family," Pāhe told OHA. Now six years old, Pāhe attends first grade at Kula Kaiapuni ma Pāi'a on Maui. 'Ōlelo Hawai'i is also the primary language spoken at home among Pāhe and her five brothers and sisters. Mama Keli Aiwohi shared, "She doesn't know any other life. I don't think she realizes how lucky she is to be surrounded by so mueh mea Hawai'i. For me growing up, my school didn't even have 'ōlelo Hawai'i classes. I was lucky to be involved with hula at a young age. But now Pāhe has it

ALL at her fingertips. The 'ōlelo, the oli, the hula, the history. This life is normal i for her so hula and oli are second nature." > Pāheona has also been at Maunakea ; muhiple times this summer, and continues > to go on weekends when she ean. Y ou may recognize her from the viral video offer- ; ing a ho'okupu of the mele 'Ōiwi Ē at the kūpuna tent. "My kumu taught us that mele ; to show us how we are all 'ohana. And I ; wanted to show aloha to the kūpuna," Pāhe , said. That heartfelt video has over 75,000 r views. Her kumu, Mrs. Sissy Lake-Farm, ; shared, "When I saw the Facebook post of her leading the kāhea for 'Ōiwi Ē I was t so excited. I know dad (Kumu Hula John t Keola Lake) is proud and our ho'oilina ; (legacy) exists through our haumāna, ; even as young as Pāheona. The kamali'i ī of today are taking on kuleana and have ' the resources to learn, grow, and continue 1 to fight for our lāhui. She had the 'i'ini and desire to hāpai that kuleana and so brilt liantly, with no fear, but conviction and confidence to represent her, her mākua, ' her kumu, her kūpuna and all those who stand in front, beside, and behind her. Eō i e Pāheona!" Pāheona, at six years old, is a ī living gem and confirms the righteousness t of our keiki generation. ■

Paheona Aiwohi on Maunakea - Photos: Keli Aiwohi