December 1, 2004
Contributed by Liz Ahana
From 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Dec. 6, Kamehameha Elementary School will host, "An Evening with Auntie Nona Beamer," sponsored by the Hawaiian Cultural Center Project. This FREE event is open to the public and will be held on the Kapalama Campus' elementary school in the Keku'iapoiwa Dining Hall.
This special event marks the beginning of Beamer's four-day educational encounter with students in grades 7-12 at the Kapalama Campus.
A 2003 recipient of the Order of Ke Ali'i Pauahi Award, Beamer has been described as a gifted storyteller, dancer, singer and composer whose life's work reflects the pride she takes in her heritage. Internationally known and respected as an expert on Hawaiian culture, Beamer has published 13 Hawaiiana books and tapes, and composed Hawaii's beloved children's song, Pupu Hinuhinu.
As a treasured resource, she has been a pioneer in the promotion of Hawaiian culture and its rich hula, music, and storytelling traditions.
"Very importantly, Mrs. Beamer's visit is an opportunity for today's students to get to know her," said Ke'ala Kwan, department head, Kamehameha High School, Kapalama Campus Languages department. "Before graduating from the Kamehameha School for Girls in 1941, stories of Mrs. Beamer being temporarily expelled as a 9th grader in 1937 for allegedly dancing a standing hula at a KS Trustee tea; and her role in the breaking of the school's kapu on the standing hula in 1965 are narratives that have entered into our school's curriculum – it's part of our history," added Kwan.
Kamehameha Schools is a statewide educational system founded and endowed by the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Currently, more than 5,700 students of Hawaiian ancestry are enrolled in K-12 campuses on three islands and at more than 30 preschool sites statewide. An additional 145,000+ Hawaiian learners are also being served through a range of other Kamehameha Schools outreach programs, distance learning programming, community collaborations and financial aid opportunities in Hawaii and across the continental United States.
Kamehameha Schools’ policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
