Hana Keaka 2026

Photo by Marissa Motas

He Lālā Au No Kuʻu Kumu

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The schoolchildren from a traditional charter school on Molokai put on a strong theater performance for a sold-out crowd during a fundraising event at the Molokai High School Gym last weekend.

The keiki from Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Kualapu‘u, an elementary public charter school, presented their Hana Keaka 2026, or Hawaiian theater program, before nearly 300 people at The Barn Feb. 7. 

“What you will see today represents months of intentional, instructed creativity and ʻike Hawaii integrated across science, math, reading and the arts,” emcee Lokelani Fergerstrom said. “The theme of this evening is He Lālā Au No Kuʻu Kumu — I’m a branch of a firm tree, and this sea reminds us that our success doesn’t stand alone. We’re only as strong as the roots that ground us and the kumu that nourish us.”

The event, she said, honored educators and kupuna who carry forward Hawaiian ʻike, language and values.

“So, the keiki today will stand proudly in front of you as they honor ʻolelo Hawaiʻi,” said Fergerstrom, who was also part of the music group Ka ‘Ohana Hāmākua entertaining the guests during dinner.

The fundraiser for the school children was originally scheduled at Molokai Community Health Center but was moved to The Barn due to wet weather conditions.

Starting at 5 p.m., guests were served a lavish dinner of roast beef on a bed of rice with steamed vegetables, green salad, dinner rolls and dessert. A special non-alcoholic drink menu was available.

Following dinner, the program manager for The Molokai Digital Bus was honored for her services to the community through Hawaiian education programs for the youth.

“We’re deeply honored to recognize Ms. Shannon Uʻilani Lima as our Hana Keaka honoree,” Fergerstrom said.

Uʻilani Lima shed tears as she described her time in college many years ago, when a portion of her ʻolelo Hawaiʻi classes was translating books for Hawaiian language immersion schools. She and her classmates would use a typewriter to type the books, and give them to their kumu to go into ʻolelo Hawaiʻi classes.

“That is something so important that has happened in my lifetime” she said.

Uʻilani Lima added that even though she was part of the beginning of Hawaiian language immersion classes, it was the kupuna before her who had that dream and guided the process. She said she was honored to share her story with everyone, because the honor is actually for the kumu and the keiki.

At 7 p.m., the keiki of Hana Keaka 2026 came on stage and put on a striking performance for the guests. Schoolchildren from kindergarten to sixth grade wore several different and colorful outfits, including many hula and paniolo attires, to tell the stories of this year’s theme. Their performances included various oli, mele and hula.

Besides the $75 ticket for the event, a silent auction gathered additional funds for the school’s fundraising efforts. 

Since 1966, Kualapuʻu School has been an elementary school on the island, promoting “academic learning while placing emphasis on the cultural experiences of a rural community,” according to their website. The school has less than 340 students, and their goal is “to nurture children in an ever-changing world.”

Kualapuʻu Public Charter School announced last week they are now taking kindergarten and pre-Kindergarten enrollment for the school year 2026-2027. For kindergarten, children must be 5 years old before Aug. 1, and for pre-K, children must be 3 years old before Aug. 1.

Visit kualapuucharterschool.org for more information.