Kamehameha haumāna connect with culture and each other at ʻAha ʻŌpio

Aug. 17, 2026

For the thousands of people who attended, the 25th annual Native Hawaiian Convention was a chance to connect with culture — and each other. That also proved true for hundreds of ʻōpio, including a large contingent of haumāna from all three Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha campuses who took part in the ʻAha ʻŌpio, a stylized youth experience.

In contrast to the mākua, whose home base was the Blaisdell Center, ʻAha ʻŌpio participants had opportunities to venture out to various locations on Oʻahu, with their home base located across from the Blaisdell at the new Liliʻuokalani Center.

“I think it’s very beneficial that the ʻōpio have a designated space for just them because it can be intimidating to go into places with a bunch of adults, or really experienced professionals,” said Lexi Carlos, a senior from Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Maui.

Even before the convention’s official kickoff, ‘ōpio had already been out on ʻāina. A day-long huakaʻi to Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi in Heʻeia provided haumāna a hands-on experience in ‘ai pono. They had opportunities to work in a loʻi kalo, process cooked kalo in Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi’s poi mill and learn about the ʻahupuaʻa restoration taking place there. Almost all the mea ʻai served during ʻaina awakea was grown there.

Kamehameha haumāna from all three campuses had a chance to process cooked kalo in the poi mill at Kākoʻo ʻŌiwi in Heʻeia, Oʻahu.

The next day, the youth took part in the opening ceremonies with their mākua counterparts, which included a memorable plenary panel. Afterwards, haumāna explored a wide array of breakout sessions of their choosing, covering topics like Hawaiian fashion, creative expression through moʻolelo, and a huakaʻi to the John A. Burns School of Medicine for those interested in kānaka-rooted medical careers.

One breakout session titled “Hawaiian is My Superpower,” featured a top-notch panel of ʻŌiwi leaders, consisting of Kaina Makua (mahiʻai and star of “Chief of War”), Chardonnay (musician and mahi’ai), Raiatea Helm (vocalist and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner), Dr. Marcus Iwane KSK’02 (Kaiser Permanente’s Physician in Charge for Leeward Oʻahu) and Punihei Lipe KSK’01 (Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Kapālama Poʻo Kula). The ‘ōpio listened intently as the panelists shared manaʻo about their unique life experiences that helped develop their strong Hawaiian identity.

“Hawaiian is My Superpower” panelists (from left): Chardonnay, Kaina Makua, Dr. Markus Iwane KSK’02, Punihei Lipe KSK’01, Raiatea Helm and moderator Maui ʻIokepa-Guerrero.

Dr. Iwane shared a touching memory from his childhood.

“When I was a keiki, I remember spending time with my kupuna. He was a farmer in his māla. I could see him. I could hear him. He would actually sing mele to his plants. He would speak ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi to his plants. I never understood why at that time, until later, and realized what he was actually trying to do. He was teaching me about aloha ʻāina by showing me, not just by telling me. I could observe, I could see aloha ʻāina in what he was doing. He was teaching me about the importance of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. He was teaching me about the importance of connecting to culture.”

Haumāna from Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Hawaiʻi debut a role-playing game rooted in Hawaiian moʻolelo at an ʻAha ʻŌpio breakout session.

Another breakout session put on by haumāna from Ke Kula ʻo Kamehameha Hawaiʻi was so well-received, they were given a hana hou and presented a second time at the ʻaha. “Educational Ea Through Indigenous Game Design” was the interactive debut of a Dungeons and Dragons-like role-playing game created by the haumāna and rooted in traditional Hawaiian moʻolelo. The haumāna rolled dice and moved their characters on a large game board they created, and ʻōpio seated in the theater could easily see all the action thanks to a specially placed camera that projected onto a big screen. Their kumu, Nathan Yocum, served as the dungeon master, weaving intrigue and moʻolelo flawlessly.

“They were so involved and passionate about it,” said Kamalei Dwight KSK’26. “It was really so cool to see,”

The ‘ōpio in the crowd even got to take on a character’s role, and made group decisions on whether that character, Kaʻena, should run away or fight when he encountered mysterious creatures.

For Kawai Akimseu, a Kamehameha Maui senior, one particular music-focused session provided a great life lesson.

“We had this mele breakout session, and in the song, there were parts where the kāne and the wāhine would split. But they would all come together at one point, and we became stronger. Like we were strong separately, but when we came together, it was even stronger. We’re better united,” said Akimseu.

The ʻAha ‘Ōpio was a great way to wrap up summer break and prepare for the start of the new school year. Lexi Carlos, who serves as ʻelele, the Hawaiian cultural campus representative for the Associated Students of Kamehameha Schools Maui offered this heartfelt mahalo for being selected to attend the ‘aha:

“Makemake au e mahalo iā ke kamaliʻi wahine ‘o Bernice Pauahi Bishop no ka mea ua aloha ʻo ia iā mākou Nā Pua a Pauahi no laila ua hele mākou i kēia Native Hawaiian Conference a laila mahalo wau iā ia,” said Carlos.