Ho`omana Hou Graduation 2012

Ho`omana Hou students and kumu celebrate the Class of 2012. Graduating seniors Danielle (second from left), Kylee (third from left) and Brandon (back row left) thanked staff, classmates and ohana. Photo by Leslie Hibner.

Ohana gathered at Kulana `Oiwi Halau last Friday to celebrate the graduation of three Ho`omana Hou seniors, Brandon Lu`uloa-Ka`auwai, Kylee Dudoit-English and Danielle Mersberg. The ceremony included testimony from the underclassmen and hula and oli performed by all students. For the graduating seniors, their kumu tied kihei around their shoulders, symbolizing status and maturity. Their parents placed a lei kukui around their necks to recognize the knowledge the students gained.

Ho’omana Hou is a private high school started in 2004 and run by the Molokai Community Service Council (MCSC) that focuses on culture-based education.