By Kekoa Manner:
While most soon to be college students plan, prepare, and pack to leave our island to experience the Mainland. . my sister, Kamalani, has been busy working trying to earn money toward her college tuition and helping our mom teach Summer Hawaiian Studies and Hula to raise money for my annual backpack drive for the children of Maililand Transitional Shelter..
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Kamalani got a feel of what it's like to teach children Hawaiian Studies and Hula for 8 one hour sessions this summer. At first Kamalani wasn't sure how it was going to be. Our mom, helped her and she did great. The children had fun and they enjoyed learning and working with her.
The children were taught how to make their costumes for performance. Our mom and Kamalani was a bit behind with helping the girls finish their grass skirts. Not only did they have to finish 9 skirts for their summer classes, they had to also finish 5 more for the girls from my mom's hula group. They were invited by Johnny Kai to perform at a Waikiki Block Party last Saturday before Kamalani's Summer performance this past Tuesday.
Our mom tried her best to help Kamalani finish the grass skirts. She was stressing and decided to make a Facebook post pleading for help. And to our surprise, our mom's friend, Makua Janet, her daughter, Caitlyn, and friend, Cissy, came to the rescue and met up with us in Waikiki 4 hours before performance time and helped finish all the grass skirts. .What a blessing .. .
As we count down the days before my sister leaves. . our mom has done her job instilling the Hawaiian Values of Aloha, 'Ohana, Kokua, Kuleana, and Laulima within her and Kamalani got the chance to pass it on to her Summer students.
We would like to thank the following who made this a Summer to remember: (sorry in advance if I forgot to mention you)
Johnny Kai for inviting Ka Pilina o ka Hula me ka Ho'okanikapila to perform at the Waikiki Block Party
Leis: Erika
Grass skirt makers: Christine, Makua Janet, Caitlyn,and Sissy
The parents, relatives, and friends that came to watch and support Ka Pilina o ka Hula me ka Ho'okanikapila
Ukulele players/singers: Stryker and Slayter
Dancers: Makanani, Arahme, Hailey, Nathalia, Nalani, Kaydi, Kaydence, Peyton, Nami, Macie, Elisse, Avery, and Sarah
Summer Hawaiian Studies Students: Regan, Madison, Alyssa, Isabella, McKenzie, Chelsea, Cariann, Ellie, and their parents
Summer Hula: Madison, Alyssa, Isabella, McKenzie, Chelsea, Cariann, Kaydi, Persephone, Brynn, Ellie, and their parents
Have a great summer!
Mahalo,
Kekoa
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner
Photo provided by Kekoa Manner