July 2, 2015
KS service awardees based at Kawaiahaʻo Plaza (KS’ Honolulu headquarters) became the first to commemorate their milestone years at Mauna ʻAla, the final resting place of the schools’ founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The special ceremony was planned and coordinated by KS’ Human Resources and Hoʻokahua Cultural Vibrancy groups.
Over the past month, service award honorees had the opportunity to learn mele (songs), an oli (chant), and how to craft palapalai fern lei. All were presented as hoʻokupu (ceremonial gifts) at Mauna ʻAla in honor of Princess Pauahi . While at the sacred site, staffers reflected on their collective contributions to KS and reaffirmed their commitment to Pauahi’s legacy.
After the ceremony, the honorees joined the rest of the KP employee ʻohana for a luncheon at the KS’ Kaʻiwakīloumoku Hawaiian Cultural Center. Together they celebrated service award staffers and a successful fiscal year for KS.
KS photographer Michael Young captured highlights of the honorees' cultural journey in the pics below. To read more about the KP Service Awards workshops, ceremony and celebration, see the online article, “New KS Service Awards tradition pays tribute to Princess Pauahi.” To view photos of the KP Service Awards celebration, see the online photo gallery, “2015 KP Service Awards Celebration.”
