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Hundreds of MHIS Alumni Gather

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

The 41^st Annual MHIS Alumni Association Senior Luau and Class Reunion was held at the high school gym Saturday night. About 100 graduates from the class of 2007 were present as well as classmates of the Class of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, and 1997. The Albert and Evan Inaba scholarship and other awards were awarded to graduating seniors. There was fun-filled entertainment presented by each reunion class, with singing, dancing, and even a little exercising.  Laughter and cheers filled the gym of approximately 450 students, parents, friends, and families, the largest attendance ever. 

Each year, the Albert and Evan Inaba Scholarship awards four graduates with scholarships; two $500 vocational and two $1000 academic scholarships. The Albert Inaba Scholarship began in 1967 in honor of the late Albert Inaba. Albert Inaba was the Principal of MHIS from 1941 to 1966. From 1967 to 2007, the Albert Inaba Scholarship has given approximately $75,000 to 80 recipients. The scholarship is funded by donations by MHIS alumni. The purpose of this scholarship is to give students the opportunity to further their education. The first recipient was Donna Tamanaha, who became a lawyer. Over the first 20 years, one $500 academic scholarship was awarded annually. Later, an additional $300 vocational scholarship was added. When MHIS celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 1989, the annual awards were increased to two $500 vocational scholarships and two $1000 academic scholarships. This year’s recipients were as follows: 

Molokai Public Library Turns 70

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Most of us have grown up with the Molokai Public Library. For many of us it is permanent landmark and an institution of empowerment. For all of these reasons, we celebrate the Molokai Pubic Library’s 70^th Anniversary.

Ka Hula Piko

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Each year, Kumu John Ka'imikaua would provide insight, share history and paint pictures of days gone past with his vivid details, chants and hula.

He was always able to bring forth different topics, conduct different excursions, and take us to different points in history. He would help us to understand more fully our ancestors, this island and our place in the world.  

One of the alaka'i or leaders of Kumu John's halau on Molokai is Keoki Pescaia. He shares, "Kumu truly loved this island. The gifts that he had, the things that were passed to him, he shared them, even though he knew people would ridicule him or maybe not take him seriously. But he stuck to his beliefs, and today we're able to share with others, the same light he passed to us. The light of hula, the light of stories, history, traditions…he planted the seeds in plenty people, and today, we can continue that legacy." 

Widely known for reviving and perpetuating many of Molokai’s chants, hula and legends, Kumu John is considered by many as being among the greatest kumu hula of our time.  

In 1991, John Ka’imikaua founded Ka Hula Piko, a three-day festival celebrating the birthplace of hula here on Molokai. Since its inception, Kumu John had remained committed to the event acting as its guiding force and providing spiritual grounding. 

Kumu John passed away this past last June at his home in Makakilo.

Keeping Kids, Kids

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

As the day progressed, the students were treated to laughs by local comedian Rodney Villanueva and, eventually, an all-out jammin’ performance by local boy, Sashamon.

The Blessing of a New Name

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

WCC coach and long time friend of John's, Penny Martin said, "Now Kumu gets to go on the water all the time, and see Molokai from a different perspective. He's loving it!"  

In 2003, John named the new club, "Wa'akapaemua" which means the canoe that arrives first and naming a canoe in his honor is just one way of giving back.   

In Hawaiian, the name Keanuenue literally translates to "rainbow" but the simple name holds many deeper meanings.  Kumu John was definitely a person of many colors and depths, and continues to be a person held in reverence and honor, as a rainbow aloft the clouds.   

Waa Club members often see a rainbow sitting atop Kamakou as the afternoon sun sets low, reminding them of the peaceful embrace of a beloved man.

Mahalo to Opuulani Albino and Vanda Hanakahi for conducting the protocol.

John Ka’imikaua

Wednesday, May 16th, 2007

Projects

 John had many projects and dreams, many of which came into reality working with the community of Moloka’i and people in the Hawaiian community throughout the islands as well as those abroad. He retold and revived the stories, names and history to numerous sites on Moloka’i. With help of community members, he assisted in the re-establishment of the Ka Moloka’i Makahiki Festival. 

John promoted the reforestation projects of Pu’u Nana and Lanikaula, where members in the community continue this lifelong activity.  Through the efforts of both halau’s, John was instrumental towards the construction and completion the Pa Hula on Ka’ana.  He has participated and advised many other significant cultural events throughout Hawai’i.  His knowledge continues to be a beacon of light for Hawaiians today.

It became very important for John to document his knowledge for a film entitled “A Mau A Mau.”  There were other films he was ask to participate in which continue to be sought by those interested in the history of hula and the traditions of the Hawaiian culture.  As a songwriter he wrote many beautiful songs and in 1997, John released a recording of some of his original songs on a compact disc titled “Mai Ka Na’au Kuhohonu” to commemorate the 20 years existence of Halau Hula O Kukunaokala. 

His Philosophy

A spiritual giant, a man grounded with ke Akua and na kupuna.   John viewed the hula as a vehicle to educate and enlighten all people about our ancestors through the early traditions of Hawaiian chant and dance.   His objective with hula and the culture was to edify the cohesiveness of mind, body and spirit with ke Akua, na kupuna and the ‘aina.  In his words, “the ancient chant and dance is sacred, the very words chanted from the mouths of our ancestors were purposely preserved by them in the ‘oli and mele for our time.  The very movements and actions of our ancestors, who lived upon the land from the beginning of time, are preserved in the movements of the hula.  The ancient chant and dance connects us to our ancestors and allows us to feel and to understand the life that they lived.” 

The Future

It has been repeated and ingrained in each of his haumana (students) that all we learn and do in the halau will uplift and fulfill a purpose in each of our lives as we continue to share and live the wisdom and knowledge of our Hawaiian heritage.  In our efforts to maintain the integrity of our Hawaiian heritage and culture and we remain pono with ke Akua in our daily life, we will be instrumental in paving the way for the present, the future and for those generations unborn.  The future of the halau now rest in the hands of his wife, Ka’oi and all the members of Halau Hula O Kukunaokala.  John loved his family and his extended family.  He was especially fond of all kupuna and the many friends who came into his life.  He too loved unconditionally a characteristic that infected everyone who knew him.  He was relentless in promoting the Hawaiian way of life, its principles and values.   May we continue to acknowledge the legacy he has left with all of us to carry forth into the future?

Aloha no,

Ka'oi Ka'imikaua

Kilohana May Day Celebration

Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

This year’s Mo'i Kane or King is Kahea Maliu III, son of Solomon and Jarna Maliu, grandson of Kahea and lulu Maliu.  The Mo'i Wahine or Queen is Kainoa Dudoit, daughter of Robin and Lisa Dudoit, and grand daughter or Ellie Kauwenaole. 

Many of the families from the east end of Molokai consider the Kilohana May Day Celebration to be a very special event.  This is the time of year when families come together to enjoy the colorful, rich, and splendid display of costumes, leis, music, and dance.  When asking a parent why is this years’ celebration better than the last she replied, "Every year is special due to the efforts and hard work of the parents, faculty, volunteers, and students in our community."  And indeed this years’ event was special.  The creation of a huge canvas painted back drop by Artist Andrea Bene framed the King, Queen, and court nicely.  May Day in Kilohana Elementary School is truly an excellent event for all of Molokai.  See you there next year. 

The escorts and princesses for the different islands are:  Hawaii, Kohala Pule and Princes Lehiwa Pedro; Maui, Likeke Schonley and Princess Makanani Place; Oahu, Lokia Kalilikane and Princess Kamakeikimaikalani Nahoopii-Kaauwai; Kauai, Makao DeMello and Princes Kauikauuleionaona Place; Molokai, Makamaekeolaonalani Willing-McCutcheon and Princess Leimomilani Casil-Dudoit; Lanai, Kaili DeSilva-Tollefson and Princess Keolakekuaokalani Kalilikane Yasso; Niihau, Kawaiola Caparida and Princess Hanaulani Kealoha; Kahoolawe, Keano Kakaio and Princess Makapihaikamalamaokalani Lee.