Kamehameha Schools Maui Hosts Ho’olaule’a, May 3

The Kamehameha Elementary School sewing club will donate a handmade quilt for Ho’olaule’a 2014. The after school activity is comprised of students in grades 4, and 5.  The students, who meet one day a week for two hours, completed a full size quilt that will be sold in the Ho’olaule’a auction. The instructor for the class is Shana English. KSM photo.

By Wendy Osher

Kamehameha Schools Maui will host its 10th Annual Hoʻolauleʻa this Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the high school campus in Pukalani.

The family-friendly event is hosted by the Parent Teacher Student ‘Ohana of Kamehameha Schools Maui, and includes food, Hawaiian entertainment, cultural displays, games, crafts, a country store, and silent auction.

Auction highlights include a handmade quilt made by fourth and fifth grade students from the Kamehameha Elementary School.

Students completed the quilt as an after-school activity, meeting one day a week for two hours with instructor Shana English.

Another auction item is a pair of hand held kāhili that were crafted by seventh and eighth grade students in Kumu Kaponoʻai’s E ʻImi Mau classes.  In chiefly times, hand held feather standards were once carried like a scepter by female chiefs, according to event organizers.

The kāhili bear names: Kiaʻi, translated as guardian or protector, that is made of black feathers; and Kaipoaloha or “The Love,” created with brown feathers.  Both kāhili are supported by a base of rock collected from the school grounds.

Middle School E ʻImi Mau classes donated a pair of hand held kāhili to the Ho’olaule’a.  The feather standards were created by 7th and 8th grade students in Kumu Kaponoʻai’s E ʻImi Mau classes, and will among the featured items in the silent auction. Kamehameha Schools Maui photo.

“A person working alone would take a few months to create a kāhili, together, in the tradition of laulima (many hands working together) these kāhili were completed within only a week’s time,” said Kamehameha Schools Maui Parent Community Coordinator, Lokelani Patrick.

“These adornments Kiaʻi and Kaipoaloha represent the students of Kamehameha Maui and the pursuit of excellence that they strive to achieve at home, at school, and in the community. This is a priceless item,” said Patrick in an event announcement.

In addition to the silent auction, the Hawaiian Ensemble at the school will provide demonstrations on: pounding of kalo into poi at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; kapa making at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; tattoo designs at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.; and traditional Hawaiian games at 11 a.m.

Other demonstrations include: the art of paddle making with Malama Chun; ahupuaʻa sustainability with Jay Carpio; and the evolution of spear fishing and artifacts with Brian of Maui Sporting Goods.

Hawaiian Ensemble, pounding kalo into poi. Kamehameha Schools Maui photo.

As part of the Hoʻolauleʻa event, 14 quilts with Hawaiian themes from the Danford Quilt Collection will be on display.

Maui resident and artist Alyson Danford gets her inspiration from a desire to protect endemic species and promote education through her art, according to the event announcement.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to view several short films at the Hoʻolauleʻa including:

• Kai Wahine: a story of the women who participate in the 41-mile Nā Wahine O Ke Kai outrigger canoe race across the Kaiwi Channel from Molokaʻi to Oʻahu.  The 29 minute film will show at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 
• Small Kine Stories: directed by Ann Marie Kirk, this 25-minute film offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of kūpuna or elders as they tell stories about where they lived, grew up, places they visited, and why those places are so special to them. The film shows at 10:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
• QUEENIE: The Spirit of a Dancer:  is a 1o minute short film that highlights legendary hula dancer Queenie Ventura Dowsett.  In the film, Dowsett shares her thoughts on how her kumu, ‘Iolani Luahine, and others, passed on the knowledge of what a dancer and a dancer’s spirit possesses. The film will be shown at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.
• Family of the Waʻa: focuses on Maui resident, Kimokeo Kapahulehua, and his promise to his uncle and to the people of Hawaiʻi.  After 1750 miles of paddling over six years, Kapahulehua and his team reflect upon what has been done to complete their voyage and how they have become the Family of the Wa’a.  The 89 minute film is directed by David Cumming and will show at 11 a.m.