What do Kaʻōleiokū, Keliʻimaikaʻi, Naeʻole Hale, Kahaʻōpūlani Hale, Koaiʻa, Kaʻiwakīloumoku, and Hale Hoʻokū Kaʻa have in common? They are all names of buildings constructed as part of KS Kapālama’s five-year Ke Kupu Mālamalama campus redevelopment project.
Ke Kupu Mālamalama means “Enlightened Growth.” The campus’ Operations team and the Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy Group recently hosted ceremonies to pani – bring closure to – the project which included the construction of:
- Two middle school buildings
- Two middle school dormitory buildings
- A physical education and athletics facility
- A Hawaiian Cultural Center
- A parking structure
The day’s events brought together many of the partners involved in the multi-year build-out, including KS Kapālama administration and operations, as well as architects, contractors and other construction professionals.
Attendees participated in a blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa at the Bernice Pauahi Memorial Chapel affirming the completion of their kuleana (responsibility) with the ceremonial drinking of ‘awa.
Ceremonial lei from the piko (spiritual center) of each of the building have been cared for since each building was blessed. The remnants of the lei were brought together on the chapel altar to be dedicated to Ke Akua (God).
A new garden begins
To symbolize the continued growth of the campus, a new māla (garden) was created below the Ka‘iwakīloumoku Hawaiian Cultural Center. The blessed remnants of the lei from each project were mixed in with the māla soil to help bring new life as the garden grows.
The name of the māla, Waineʻemālie, means “calm moving waters.” It is a nod to the late Sol Waine‘e, a former landscape manager at KS Kapālama, whose love and leadership live on throughout the campus grounds.
The plants cultivated and harvested at Waineʻemālie directly serve the curricular needs of the Hawaiian food preparation and art components of the K-12 Nohona Hawaiʻi program at Kaʻiwakīloumoku.
How appropriate that the Mōhalu moon rose that evening: a sign of growth, abundance and illumination – ke kupu mālamalama.
KS Kapālama Operations Manager Wendy Cook, receives the ‘apu (cup) of ‘awa.
KS Kapālama Kahu Kordell Kekoa blesses the ceremonial lei from the buildings of Ke Kupu Mālamalama. Presenting the lei are: Hoʻokahua staffers Makaʻala Rawlins, Kaulana Vares, Kaʻanoʻi Walk and Kumulāʻau Sing.
The remnants of the lei were mixed into the soil of the campus’ new māla (garden) to help bring new life as the garden grows.
The name of the māla – Waineʻemālie – means “calm moving waters.” It is a nod to the late Sol Waine‘e, the campus’ former landscape manager whose legacy lives on throughout the campus grounds.
Members of the Waineʻe ʻohana were present at the māla dedication including Tehane Wurderman, Naiwi Wurderman, and Lisa, Pomai and Kai Waineʻe.
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