Success stories from Pu'uhonua O Waimanalo Village

Posting this inspiring email from Steve Tayama at the Pu'uhonua O Waimanalo Village.

In 1994 Kekula and I moved to O'ahu to provide support for the Makapu'u Beach occupation with Bumpy in the 'Ohana Council days, and then when the village was first getting started we lived there (on a platform under a tent) for a year and a half doing Nation of Hawaii work before moving back to Maui. All the 'opio that Steve describes below were just small keiki then, and it is hard for me to believe how much they have grown up. And it is truly inspiring to read of their accomplishments, and the positive influence of being raised in a village/extended 'ohana setting with a strong emphasis on Hawaiian identity, culture, language, history and rights. (I also want to mention that those of us non-Hawaiians living in the village—including some not married to a Hawaiian like I am—were/are completely welcomed in as part of the 'ohana.) Congratulations to these fine 'opio and everyone in the village who helped raise them so well.

From: steve
Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2005 12:41 PM
Subject: Success stories from Pu'uhonua O Waimanalo Village

Aloha, I would like to share with you all some stories that all Hawaiians can take pride in and inspiration from. It's about Hawaiian children who began living on the beach at Waimanalo, and who became top scholars while growing up in a village based on sovereign rights. Its also about a village community being born, and its impact on these children. These kids spent their youth helping their parents building a village out of jungle. They had no monetary help from the State, City or Federal governments. No help from the rich and powerful Hawaiian Trusts, and sadly, no help from other Hawaiian Independence groups. They slept with their families in tents in the rain and mud. They had to deal with rats and roaches. They bathed in cold water, used portable toilets and had no TV or stereos. They helped cut down thick jungle with their bare hands. This was the way it was for years. 11 years later the village is a safe and clean community. Almost every one of the 30 children excel in school. Most in Hawaiian language school a few in public. In the past month three of our keiki have been chosen for special awards. Ka'ipo Maikai a Samuel Kamakau 10th grader with a 3.8 GPA was chosen, with three other outstanding students, to represent Hawaii at the Alaska Native Heritage Center Convention in Alaska. This is an all expenses paid trip sponsored by Bishop Museum, where they will read their award winning essays on Hawaiian culture and language at the Convention. Kahealani Chang won 1st place in the JV divsion at the first annual Aloha Festival Hawaiian Language Contest that was open to all students statewide. Kahealani is a 9th grader at Kailua HS, has a 3.0 GPA, takes college prep classes and plays JV Volleyball. She hopes to be a Hawaiian language teacher. Kana'i Kanahele a 11th grader at Kailua HS placed 1st in the the Varsity division in the Aloha Festival Hawaiian Language Contest winning, as Kahealani did, $500 cash and a $250 shopping spree. Kana'i is a first team player on Kailua's football team and has a 4.0 GPA. He has had as many as 20 college academic and athletic scholarship offers including one from Harvard University. Another outstanding student from our village is Keaniani Kupahu who was recently offered a chance to attend La Pietra school for Girls. These are stories about keiki who grew up learning about asserting their rights and living independent. Positive proof of what Hawaiians can do if left on their lands to do what they want the way they can. Steve

Posted: Sun - April 24, 2005 at 06:00 PM

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Success stories from Pu'uhonua O Waimanalo Village

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