Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 10, Number 8, 1 August 1993 — ʻAha ʻŌpio trains future Hawaiian leaders [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻAha ʻŌpio trains future Hawaiian leaders

by JefT Clark The huge sigh of relief eolleetively emitted by OHA's education division on June 27 could mean only one thing: Another 'Aha 'Opio is history. This year 60 students eame from across the state (and one from Alaska) to take part in OHA's annual youth legislature. The goal of the week-long eonference is to develop Hawaiian youth leaders by providing them with hands-on leadership experiences in a moek legislature. This allows them to develop skills in

puhlie speaking, parliamentary procedure and group political interaction; and to reaffirm the role of the 'ōpio in the Hawaiian culture. Addressing the 'ōpio during opening ceremonies at Kawaiaha'o Church, OHA chairman Clayton Hee called the eonference "a tradition we believe will better equip you to lead nā

kānaka, our Hawaiian people, into the 2 1 st century." Referring to the 100th anniversary of overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, Hee illuminated the 'aha's theme, "Naue pololei," whieh means "to make things right:" "Naue pololei - it is our gift to you and our shared burden. It is easy and satisfying to protest a wrong; it is mueh more difficult to right the wrong." The 'ōpio were also treated to an oli by OHA culture specialist Manu Boyd, and eloquent mes-

sages from trustees Moses K. Keale, Sr. and Kamaki A. Kanahele III, who told them, "You are the ones who are going to build this thing called sovereignty." Aunty Betty K. Jenkins, kūpuna alaka'i, calling the students "the most precious jewels of our eulture," advised them, "Allow yourself to know how to be a

contemporary Hawaiian." Jenkins and OHA's kūpuna team provided a cultural context for the week's activities. The students brought ho'okupu, including kuawa, manakō, mai'a, smoked salmon, pa'akai, lei kamani, laikī, and other gifts from the land and sea. Anyone who saw the students on Monday and then again Friday, the change and growth exhibited looked like a year or more, rather than a week, had passed. Fidgety, nervous and seemingly on the verge of giggles

Monday, by week's end they were serious, poised and confident. Mature. OHA education officer Rona Rodenhurst said, "We always have one or two parents saying, 'I don't know what you did to our kids, but they're different.' They're more responsive and more in tune." The students, high school

juniors, got a crash course in governmental operations, and drafted, lobbied for and passed (or killed) bills on a variety of subjects. For some this was their first time standing and speaking in front of an audience. They also toured Washington Plaee, 'Iolani Palaee, the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Judiciary History Center, Mauna 'Ala, and Queen Emma Summer Palaee. Legislative sessions were held in the State Office Tower, in the same rooms where the state Legislature meets. "What's important about 'Aha 'Opio is that our Hawaiian kids who are not normally exposed to the process of govemment need the opportunity to see the process up close and at the same time have people take them through that process. If we are going to build leaders, we need to provide leadership opportunities so they ean learn to make choices," Rodenhurst said.

This year the bills focused less heavily on H a w a i i a n issues, and more on universal human eoncerns. Education division staff were surprised that there were no sovereignty bills introduced. Rodenhurst said that a eouple of delegates wanted to introduce sovereignty legislation but felt they were iliequipped to

defend it. She said, "We recognized there is that continuing need to educate," so one evening the 'ōpio were given

a presentation on sovereignty by a handful of 'Aha 'Ōpio alumni. Those alumni are part of the reason why 'Aha 'Ōpio is so successful. This year's returnees included Nani Medeiros, Jonah Ka'auwai, Pua'ena Burgess, Kamele Kapaona, and others from previous years. Their efforts and those of OHA's staff and many volunteers, including last year's officers, are what make 'Aha 'Ōpio so enriching. This year's officers, elected by the delegates, were Kia'āina (Governor) Lily Lyons of Konawaena High School, Kia'āina Hope (Lt. Governor) Leroy Vincent of Kamehameha Schools, Kālaimoku (advisor) K. Kainalu Villiarino of Lahainaluna High School, Konohiki (Advisor) to the Lt. Governor Keola Chan of University Lab School, House Speaker Pearl Nalani Grube of Hilo High School, and Senate President Jaimelynn Souza of Waiākea High School.

Said Lyons, "The 'aha showed me what really happens (in the political system), and that we ean make a difference if we iust use a

little effort." At the beginning of the week she was frustrated, and had no idea she'd be elected govemor. "I was discouraged, and I wanted to eome home, to be honest. I was like, 'Wow.' I was extremely confused, I had no idea what was going on." Lyons' favorite aspects of the week were receiving "inspiration from our kūpuna, and meeting all the other Hawaiians our age, and to really relate to eaeh other. ... just being there." "This group of kids was really different from all the other groups that we've had in years past," said Trustee Moses Keale, who spent the whole week with them. "They were more independent. I think they were able to grasp the concept fast. In fact they got it so fast that on one day the Senate expelled the staff from the chambers! It showed me that they were free-thinking."

Hawaiian students got a taste of the sometimes-grueiing work of state lawmakers. Photo by John De La Cruz

Youth legislators hear testimony on an important bill. Photo by John De La Cruz