Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 6, 1 June 1986 — 17th La Kukahekahe Conference [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

17th La Kukahekahe Conference

Punana Leo Keikis, Keola, Huila Waiwai Bia Hits

Thirteen keikis ages two through five from Punana Leo of Honolulu delighted a crowd of more than 250 people with their knowledge of the Hawaiian language at the annual La Kukahekahe Hawaiian language conference Apr. 26 at the McKinley High School multi-purpose building. This is believed to be the 17th such conference sponsored by Ka 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i, making it the oldest in the state. Conferences were held twice a year during the early stages of the organization. Only recently it switched to an annual format. In addition to the tiny tots, this year's conference was also spiced by a eouple of famiiiar games, adding many joyous moments to the occasion. The games were keola (bingo) and huila waiwai, conference version of the popular television game show "Wheel of Fortune." Bear in mind that all conversation, including those for the games, instructions on how to play, instructions on room locations, break time, luneh and everything else had to be spoken in the Hawaiian language. The conference brought together high school students, University of Hawaii and the community college system, adults from the Kaimuki Community School and a eouple of students from Waiakea Waena School in Hilo. Among private and public high school students in attendance were those from Kamehameha, St. Louis, Waipahu and Kalani. The experience level of all the Hawaiian language students ranged from four to eight months. The more experienced ones were obvious during the extemporaneous portion of the program when they spoke from subject matters given them through a drawing. This phase is always an interesting and oftentimes humorous aspect of the program because everyone has a cold start; that is, no one knows the subject matter until he or she pulls that slip of paper. It was the Punana Leo keikis, however, who caught the fancy of the audience as they went through the basic concept of speaking Hawaiian. A bit shy in the beginning, the keikis soon warmed up to the questioning of several kupuna and spoke beautifully. They wrote their names, put together paper cut outs and also sang with mueh pride in their voices, especially the Punana Leo theme song. Kupuna who participated with the keikis were Belle Malina, Mele Whittley and Kainoa Wright. They posed questions whieh were promptly and properly answered. It is to be noted these kupuna are not their instructors. Punana Leo teachers were on hand to guide their little ones. Ho'okuku haku mele, ho'okuku ha'i'olelo, himeni and pa'ani keaka were also a part of the program as they are with similar Hawaiian language conferences. Ka papa luna alaka'i o ka 'Ahahui 'Olelo Hawai'i: Ioli'i Hawkins, pelekikena; Haunani Bernadino, hope pelekikena; Kaleinani Kalama, kakau 'olelo; Leimomi Stender, pu'uku; Lehua Tanaka, kakau leka; Puakea Nogelmeier, luna ho'oponopono; Naomi Losch, Ke'ala Kwan, Keola Lake, na luna 'ahakuka. Kauanoe Kimura, one of the founders of Punana Leo, and Lokomaika'i Snakenberg shared master of ceremonies duties.

Punana Leo of Honolulu youngsters do their thing at Apr. 26 La Kukahekahe at McKinley High School's multi-purpose building. Here they are pictured singing a song and gesturing with cards they made up.