Wa'a Wednesday: Nā Kula Kamali'i 'o Kamehameha Wayfinders

The Kahuakumuola group with Mark Ellis (center) at Kaʻiwakīloumoku.

Mar. 16, 2016

Contributed by Shaundor Chillingworth

On February 19, 2016, representatives from Kahuakumuola met at the Kaʻiwakīloumoku Hawaiian Culture Center. Kahuakumuola, guided by Sr. Project Manager with Nā Kula Kamaliʻi, Kaiponohea Hale, is made up of 19 kumu and staff from Nā Kula Kamaliʻi ‘o Kamehameha. They all share an ‘iʻini (passion and desire) for Hawaiian culture, and a dedication to supporting their respective regions at 86 preschool classrooms statewide.

The goal for the day was to develop an understanding of the Hawaiian framework and principles that Kahuakumuola is trying to implement in Nā Kula Kamaliʻi ʻo Kamehameha. The hope was to engage kumu in a way that they could appreciate and value Hawaiian Cultural-Based Education. Engage we did.

Part of the day was dedicated to learning about the Hawaiian Star Compass developed by Hōkūleʻa master navigator Nainoa Thompson. Thompson developed the compass using fundamental concepts he learned from his teacher, the revered Mau Piailug. The compass reflects the basic mental construct for non-instrument navigation with features like star houses, major winds, and the cardinal points pictured as the iconic ‘iwa bird.

Fittingly, the activity took place in the Myron Pinky Thompson Hale. A Hawaiian leader, visionary, and former Kamehameha Schools trustee, the late Pinky Thompson was a passionate advocate for the preservation and perpetuation of Hawaiian culture. The hale bearing his name carries on this mission with its cultural education efforts. As does Kahuakumuola.

Mark Ellis, Sr. Project Manager with Hoʻokahua, reviewed the compass with the Kahuakumuola ‘ohana. Different wayfinding techniques, such as using the stars, sun, and waves, were covered and accompanied by a handout entitled “Wayfinding and Seamanship Resources.” Kahuakumuola also participated in building a wooden replica of the Hōkūleʻa to help visualize the journey. To further our ʻike, Mark encouraged us to visit http://ksonline.ksbe.edu/malama_honua/education_resources for additional resources.

Following the presentation, the group spent some time reflecting on how the lesson relates to their roles as Hawaiian culture representatives in the preschools’ respective regions. The group was then divided into different hui and asked to create a visual representation that showed the connection between navigation and culture-based education.

In the reflections, one group drew a picture of a waʻa. They shared that no matter how rough the seas may be or how many changes happen upon the course, we must remain positive. This related well to the ‘ōlelo noʻeau for the day, which was “He hoʻokele waʻa no ka lā ʻino.” (Pukui #592). A canoe steersman for a stormy day. Metaphorically, this saying encourages individuals to be versatile and adaptable as they navigate through life, because the environment can quickly change from pleasant to stormy. It encourages individuals to be courageous and be steadfast but versatile and adaptable when striving towards a goal or navigating through life.

Another group drew Nāhiku, the Big Dipper. They identified a connection between the stars and the steps we must take towards our goal. Every star is a place, and every place has a person, and every person has a destination. The compass is seen as the piko, keeping us centered, focused, and aware of the direction we travel. Just as navigators use the star compass attained by the knowledge of their predecessors to journey through the seas, we too must use the knowledge set by those before us as a foundation for culture-based education.

Another example showed a sun with a large star over it surrounded by many other stars. They explained that Hōkūpaʻa, Polaris, was the large star. Hōkūpaʻa remains in a constant position in the sky. Their message encouraged everyone to not only be the Hōkūpaʻa for others (a guiding star or light) but also in turn, think about and reflect on who in their lives are also representations of Hōkūpaʻa.

We want to thank Mark Ellis and the Kaiʻwakīloumoku Hawaiian Culture Center for the fun and enlightening day. A day that left the Kahuakumuola ʻohana looking to the stars, plotting the course, and setting the sails in unity towards the same vision . . .. Pauahi’s Vision, Our Mission.

For more information about the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the Worldwide Voyage, visit www.hokulea.com or find the society on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+. To see more Wa‘a Wednesday stories and much more about the Mālama Honua Voyage, go to the KS Online Mālama Honua page.

Piʻikea Kihe (kumu at Waimea Preschool), Barbara Haʻalilio (kumu at Hōnaunau Preschool), Darissa Kekuawela (ʻOhana/Community Coordinator) and Malia Ellia (kumu at Waimānalo Preschool)

Replica waʻa help show how the compass is used.

Darissa Kekuawela (ʻOhana/Community Coordinator), Malia Ellis (kumu at Waimānalo Preschool), Mark Ellis (Senior Project Manager at Hoʻokahua), Sallie Yoza (kumu at Kalihi-Pālama), and Annette Kaʻapana-Karratti (kumu at Keaukaha Preschool)