Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 1, 1 January 1990 — Kupuna Team takes Hawaiʻi to mainland [ARTICLE]

Kupuna Team takes Hawaiʻi to mainland

By Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins In October, OHA's kupuna team consisting of kupuna kako'o Ulu Garmon and Maile Vargo, and myself as kupuna alaka'i, represented OHA on an eventful trip to Anchorage, Alaska. While in Anchorage we met with the board of directors of the National Indian Educators Association. Our cultural presentation included: an oli of greetings and mahalo to be in their territory; a pule; a ho'o kupu of kukui nut leis with an explanation of their symbolism; an explanation of the importance of names; and original songs eomposed by kupuna Maile Vargo. For some of the Indian educators from throughout the United States, Canada and Alaska, this was the first time they had ever heard Hawaii's native language. Two native Hawaiians, now residents of Anchorage, were present at the board meeting — Sheila Carinion for Moloka'i, and Bobby Harris from Oahu's north shore. Sherilyn Franklin was present, representing the Kamehameha Schools. We were introduced at the opening session to the over 2,000 educators and delegates and received their enthusiastic greetings. We wore our usual "dress alike" mu'umu'u and while many Indians dressed in their native clothing as well, we had a daily inspection of our Hawaiian dress. A request to provide a closing for the delegates' awards banquet was an opportunity to extend greetings from OHA, from Hawaiian educators,

the best wishes of the people of Hawai'i. We also promised to inform our Hawai'i Sen. Inouye about their deliberations, honoring of their own and addressing of Indian educational needs. An invitation to consider convening for a conferenee in Hawai'i in the future was well received. The banquet closing included a pule in Hawaiian, singing of Hawai'i Aloha and Aloha Oe and a closing oli whieh received a standing ovation. While in Anchorage, we also attended several. sessions of the National Advisory Council of Indian Educators, who are appointed by the president of the United States. We also met with Hawaiians living in Anchorage. Through the "coconut wireless" in Alaska, Hawaiians visited us at the Captain Cook hotel to hear more about Operation 'Ohana. Five registrars were sworn in and 27 Hawaiians were enrolled in Operation 'Ohana within an hour, while all ate and sang and renewed memories with millions of questions about "home." A very active group of Hawaiians in Anchorage joins together bi-monthly in 'ohana learning sessions through a program they eall Na Keiki O Hawai'i. These educational culture sessions are taught by parents and a fluent native-speaking kupuna. At present, they are studying kalo. Sherrry Evans, a Kamehameha Schoolsgraduate, is an energetic force in the program, supported by Franco and Lisa Pimental, Dawson Kaloi, Hatti Nichols, Audene Barlow and others. It is from this

akamai group that Operation 'Ohana will form Hawaiian roots in Alaska. OHA's kupuna continue to transmit Hawaiian culture with appearances, workshops and presentation. In October we were involved in the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's leadership conferenee, Mauli Ola, sponsored by the Hawaiian Leadership Development Program. We also gave a presentation on the Makahiki-Christmas eonnection to the Lanakila Senior Citizens. When the University of Hawai'i extension service held their annual international convention this year in Hawai'i with home economists from the U.S., Guam, Samoa and Canada, OHA's kupuna were invited and presented workshops on Hawaiian family values. Over the last several months, we participated in an initial phase of the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program "Ka Ha Mai Na Kupuna Mai" project, under the auspices of a board selected by the governor. We conducted interviews and gathered oral histories of kupuna statewide.

The OHA Education Division under the leadership of Rona Rodenhurst supports the innovativeness of our Alaskan Hawaiians and is collecting appropriate learning materials for their use. If anyone is interested in sending any materials to the group, a name and address may be obtained from the OHA Education division.