Keeping Kids, Kids
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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.
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Add your commentIt’s Graduation Season
I’ve learned to work a ‘graduation gift card’ category into my budget for this time of the year. I’m growing more and more impressed with the creative menus I have come across especially in the last two years, as folks have ventured from the traditional lu`au, and have opted for steak and egg breakfast, Chinese, roast beef or pasta.
I’m glad we're giving our kole and 'opihi population a break, letting them boost their numbers - ho'ola lahui!*
I can't wait to celebrate the class of 2007's accomplishments, taste the creative grinds, and reminisce through those photo slide shows…as it reminds me I'm getting old…er! Let's have a safe and responsible graduation season, drive carefully and aloha one another.
*Ho'ola Lahui – King David Kalakaua, 7th monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom adopted this phrase as his motto, which means to "Increase the Race or Peoples". He did so after his wife miscarried, and he learned that many Hawaiian children were not surviving past the age of one.
Seeing the decline of the Hawaiian population due to disease and displacement, he proclaimed this to be his mission, to see that the Hawaiian race did not fade away. Achieving a first birthday became cause for much celebration, from whence the modern day baby lu'au tradition was born.
The Blessing of a New Name
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
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
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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.
Molokai Paddlers have a nose for home in Maui to Molokai Crossing
Bee Happy!
Tests show there are no bee mites on Molokai
Hawaii Department of Agriculture recently visited Molokai as part of a statewide survey to determine how widespread the honeybee parasite is. Prior to this, Hawaii beekeepers have been blessed with one of the few places in the world that had not been touched by this parasite. This allowed local beekeepers to operate without the medications that are popular on the mainland and in other parts of the world.
On Tuesday, April 24, Dr. Mohsen Ramadan, State Exploratory Entomologist along with colleagues, Ron Heu, Survey Entomologist, and Mach Fukada, Maui Entomologist, arrived early in the morning to begin all-day testing on Molokai for the mite. The survey was conducted on six apiaries within a fifteen-mile span on the southern coast of Molokai. Two hives from each location were tested, and samples were taken back to Honolulu for processing.
The official word from Dr. Ramadan came in on Thursday. “No varroa mites… on the south coast of Molokai.” This is great news for island beekeepers!
Similar studies were done the week before on the Big Island where results also tested negative. Now that there are mite-free zones in the state, attention must be directed toward protecting them.
We have a responsibility to keep the mites away from our island. There are a few ways you can help. Spread the word that there is a moratorium on shipping bees and used beekeeping equipment between the islands. If you have any beehives, be sure to check them regularly and maintain the hives. This provides the best environment for them to thrive and resist mite infestation. If you notice small red dots the size of a pinhead in your hives, report it right away to Dr. Ramadan at Mohsen.M.Ramadan@hawaii.gov.
We are grateful for the cooperation of island beekeepers who agreed to take part in the survey and allow their hives to be inspected. We anticipate additional inspections shortly. If you would like your hives to be included in the next survey, please email MolokaiMeli@iglide.net. There is no charge to the beekeepers for these inspections. We also appreciate the dedication of the survey team and their timely inspections. This time Molokai was not forgotten and this early mite-free declaration will be a key factor in protecting our island. Let’s keep Molokai mite free!
Molokai Blossoms
For Kalani Pruet, Aloha is the best business practice
Ho`omau the good times, togetherness
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In regard to Gov. Lingle’s recent contract offer to Hawaii public school teachers
In her current contract offer to the public school teachers of Hawaii, Governor Linda Lingle is requiring that all public school teachers submit to random drug testing in exchange for a pay increase.
First of all, there is no epidemic of public school teachers using or selling illegal drugs. Period. The thought of any state worker interacting with children while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is abhorrent to any sane person. The vast majority of public school teachers in Hawaii do not use, or promote the sale of, illegal drugs, just as I’m quite sure that the majority of state workers, including those in the Hawaii State Legislature, do not use, or promote the sale of, illegal drugs. So if we assume that there is a small fraction of all state workers using, or promoting the sale of, illegal drugs, then why is Gov. Lingle singling out Hawaii’s public school teachers for mandatory random drug testing?
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