KS Maui spreads throughout the island for Pō'alima 'Ula 'ula

Nov. 8, 2016

Contributed by Pakalani Bello

Each year, Kamehameha Schools Maui's Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula (Red Friday) events bring the campus ‘ohana together in the spirit of lōkahi, or unity. Staffers and students reflect on what it means to be Hawaiian and participate in games, chants and activities to perpetuate the native culture and to cultivate pride.

KSM haumāna and kumu participated in their first Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula of the school year on Friday, October 28. Their activities were spread out around Maui, from Kapalua to Wailuku.

The sophomore class made the furthest trek, heading out on a huakaʻi to Waokele ʻo Honolua to help with the reforestation and conservation efforts at the Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve.

Located in West Maui, near Kapalua, Waokele ʻo Honolua is a reforestation project to restore native plants and trees on former pineapple fields.

The idea was born out of discussions with student leadership and decided when they were told that part of the Puʻu Kukui efforts included the planting of ʻAʻaliʻi, a plant that bears the same name that the sophomore class was given.

Back on campus, the rest of kula kiʻekiʻe gathered together to participate in makahiki competitions, titled “Makahiki o ʻIhikapalaumāewa,” referring to the annual games that were held on Maui. Along with the three KS Maui high school classes, the makahiki also featured participants from Seabury Hall, Molokaʻi High School and students in the Kamehameha Scholars program.

The makahiki on campus started with a show, by KS haumāna, including oli and hula portraying the story of Lono and the origins of the makahiki games. After hands-on breakout sessions, the students went down to the practice field for the makahiki games.

The events included ʻulu maika (stone rolling), kōnane (checkers), pā uma (standing arm wrestling), uma (arm wrestling), hākā moa (chicken fighting), pōhaku hoʻoikaika (stone throwing), ʻōʻō ihe (spear throwing), moa paheʻe (dart sliding), lele pahū (biggest splash), heihei wāwae (100-meter sprint) and kūkini (400-meter dash), individually. Team events included hoʻoili pōhaku (five-person 400-meter relay), ʻauʻau kāwili (6-person, 150-meter swim relay) and hukihuki (tug of war).

Kula waena participated in service projects throughout the island. The sixth grade worked in the field at Malaʻai Poi. Seventh graders cleaned up, inside and around, Ka Hale a Ke Ola homeless shelters in both Wailuku and Lāhainā, while eighth graders helped out at the Leilani Farm Sanctuary in Haʻikū and the Bailey House Museum.

The entire kula haʻahaʻa spent the day at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College. In the morning, the haumāna were given aloha ʻāina lessons, with an emphasis on Maui, including moʻolelo of Maui, a lesson on Nā Wai Ehā, and many others. After lunch, the students took to the streets, sign-waving on Kaʻahumanu Avenue with signs that each student made to reflect issues that they, and their ʻohana, found important.

“One of the most special moments of Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula was to watch our KSM keiki from Kindergarten to 5th grade engage with the chancellor, faculty and students of the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College,” said KS Maui Hawaiian Protocol Coordinator Ekela Kaniaupio-Crozier.

“The opportunity to witness the youngest of our lāhui being hosted and educated at the institution of the highest learning on our mokupuni was incredible. I hope this partnership with UHMC can grow into gathering all of our lāhui’s keiki, across Maui Nui, to increase their ʻike on the kuleana, the rights and responsibilities, they have as Kanaka Maoli!”

An Honored Tradition

The first Pō‘alima ‘Ula‘ula took place in 2003 as KS Maui staff members and students gathered – wearing red – to await the verdict of Doe vs. Kamehameha Schools, a lawsuit which challenged the schools’ preference-based admissions policy. Now occurring twice a year, Pō‘alima ‘Ula‘ula helps KS Maui students, faculty and staff members foster cultural pride and unity. The campus and community activities are also an important reminder that KS will continue to protect the educational legacy of its founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, which includes her wish to give preference to Hawaiian children. KS Maui’s second Pōʻalima ʻUlaʻula will happen in March.

KS Maui Papa ‘Umi on PŌ‘alima ‘Ula‘ula

The KS Maui sophomore class oli before entering Waokele ʻo Honolua, where they helped with the reforestation and conservation efforts at Puʻu Kukui Watershed Preserve. This included the planting of ʻAʻaliʻi, a plant that bears the same name that the sophomore class was given.

Papa ʻumi, also known as papa ʻaʻaliʻi, spent the day planting and cleaning at Waokele ʻo Honolua.

The freshmen, juniors and seniors participated in a makahiki on campus, inviting students from Seabury Hall, Molokaʻi and other Maui high schools as well.