Kamehameha Schools students present Hawaiian featherwork at global Indigenous conference

Kula Manu soars high at WIPCE 2025. From left to right: Kaʻiwaʻiwa Losch, Kamalei Dwight, Panaʻewa Cayetano, Brooke “Kuʻulei” Keliʻikipi, A. Kalaʻi Wong, Ryder Eckart, Kalamakū Crabbe, Sahana Ahmed.

Feb. 10, 2026

Contributed by A. Kalaʻi Wong KSK'28

Article contributed by a student author as part of a series highlighting haumana experiences at the 2025 World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education.

Kula Manu, a club at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, had the opportunity to attend the World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE). The student-led group focuses on Hawaiian featherwork that promotes community engagement, education, and the perpetuation of our Hawaiian culture. Through this sacred craft, we honor ʻike kūpuna, alakaʻi lawlawe, and aloha ʻāina, while strengthening our Hawaiian identity and leadership.

Kula Manu’s kākau ʻōlelo, Panaʻewa Cayetano, said, “Kula Manu has shaped me to be a confident leader in standing up for my Hawaiian beliefs, and I’ve learned to see the beauty of our leo echoing through the lāhui.”

Educational ʻōiwi leaders traveled to Aotearoa to attend WIPCE in Auckland, New Zealand, from Nov. 16 to 20, 2025. The conference isheld every three years, allowing educators from international native communities to gather to present their work in education and Indigenous revitalization.

Participants gathered together at The Cloud in Auckland, New Zealand, where a pōwhiri took place, welcoming the delegation with speeches, music and chants. Attending a pōwhiri is similar to the piko we practice as Hawaiians. We headed over to the courtyard fronting the pier for the start of the Parade of Nations, a march from Auckland’s harbor to the Aotea Centre. Students and adults alike walked together with pride, flags flying high and voices resonating loudly for everyone in downtown Auckland to hear. The march finished as we entered the gates of the Aotea Centre, where the conference would be held. The opening ceremony of WIPCE set the tone for the week, and I left feeling a sense of unity with other native youth.

Our presentation began at the Youth Lounge, as we opened the space with our club oli, Oli Kula Manu. Our voices rang out loudly in unison. We shared our culture and pride in who we were with our guests. We then taught the attendees how to make a pua hulu. As we moved throughout the room, teaching and talking with participants, we cherished the opportunity to share our ʻike and engage in meaningful conversations with native people around the world.

Sophomore Kula Manu board member Ryder Eckart reflected: “I got to see that everyone's Indigenous cultures were diverse and complex. But we gathered together, with one unifying factor — aloha.”

Before traveling to Aotearoa, Kaʻiwaʻiwa Losch was mentored by Kumu Mele Kahalepuna Chun in making a lei hulu kāmoe. She designed the lei hulu as a makana for the 2025 WIPCE organizers, and its design was based on the logo.

Kaʻiwa said, “Learning how to make a lei hulu taught me self-discipline of how to manage my time and be confident with how to wili.”

After a month of twisting feathers together, the final product was finished: a lovely, colorful lei hulu.

This makana was presented at the closing ceremony. During a pause in the festivities, Kalamakū Crabbe began Oli Kula Manu while we walked towards the stage. Kaʻiwaʻiwa presented the lei, which was followed by us sharing a honi with each WIPCE director. The room was quiet in reverence for this once-in-a-lifetime experience of sharing mana with Indigenous leaders, and it was truly momentous.

The club's Poʻo Hana Kūloko, Kamalei Dwight, noted, “It was truly a moment where everything went silent, and I was able to fully understand what it means to embrace another culture with my whole heart.”

Flying back home, the world felt smaller. We came together with other Indigenous leaders from their communities, and instead of just learning, we connected. The distance from others was now shorter. Attending WIPCE made me a confident leader, excited for the future change I’ll create for our lāhui. Although we’re miles away from each other, we’re still rooted with one another.