A student-created kapa kuiki on display in Midkiff; middle schoolers collecting passport stamps; kindergarteners presenting ʻoli - all celebrations of Lā Kūʻokoʻa, Hawaiian Independence Day, at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama. While the end of November is typically associated with the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 28 has long been a day to commemorate Hawaiʻiʻs sovereignty and independence.

“It's both a celebration, and it's a reminder for us and for our haumāna, that there is lots of work, that they have to all know that kuleana. So that's definitely part of the purpose of what we do,” said Cady Uyeoka, the Learning and Innovation Coach for the 6th grade.

High school students were treated to a guest speaker series featuring ʻōiwi leaders emphasizing their Native Hawaiian identity and culture. “We want to give them that foundational background, to encourage them to think about their roles as kanaka in this world,” said Shari Chan, Interim Head Librarian at Midkiff. “It's often hard for some courses to incorporate E Ola! in their regular lessons. This is another way to reach the large body of students and give them knowledge that comes from their ancestors.”

Middle schoolers took part in the Hoʻōla Lāhui Expo, where they visited booths run by local community organizations. Students carried Aloha ʻĀina Passports, collecting stamps as they learned what it means to be an alakaʻi lawelawe.

“As we at school are trying to prepare them to be the next generation of ʻōiwi leaders, we want them to make sure that they see examples of that in their lāhui currently, that they can potentially aspire to be,” said Tory Watanabe, Dean of Student Leadership and Engagement for the middle school.

Arianne Chock, Hope Poʻo Kumu for the Class of 2028, agrees. “A big intent behind this is that they see examples of ʻōiwi leadership happening in our communities today. We strongly feel that they need these examples, they need meʻe to look up to, so that they can see realistic goals to strive for.”

Elementary school haumāna participated in “Race for Our Nation.”Students could play Makahiki games, learn about the healing properties of salt, and practice hula, among many cultural activities. “We named it purposely, because there's urgency around the work that we do with our haumāna for our lāhui. We're constantly striving to do our best for our people in service of our communities,” Uyeoka said.

Celebrations like this are important for giving keiki a connection to their culture at a young age. According to Loke Melchor, Learning and Innovation Coach of grades K-2, the goal is building a foundation that lasts a lifetime. “When you think of E Ola!, I always think of it as not ending at 12th grade, but beyond, like, what are we looking for in the lāhui, and I guess it's the idea of ea - that it didn't go away. Like maybe it's not formally recognized, but it still lives in our naʻau.”

Melchor believes even a kindergartener can hōʻola lāhui. “They can just go home and tell their parents Hauʻoli Lā Kūoʻkoʻa. You know, and then, in that sense, even if they say, ʻOh, we had a celebration and it was a special day,’ that's the beginning of a conversation.

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