KS Maui pulls off successful Hoʻolauleʻa

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Photo by Maile Sur

Elijah Won and Kamaile Pahukoa pound kalo into poi during the 10th Annual Hoʻolauleʻa today, May 3, 2014, at the Kamehameha Schools Maui Campus.

Kamehameha Schools Maui held their10th Annual Hoʻolauleʻa today at the high school campus, and with the sun shining, it was a perfect day to be outside.

“In all, it’s been a wonderful success!” said Ms. Lokelani Patrick, parent-community coordinator and coordinator of the event.

Students and parents from grades K-12 participate in the annual hoʻolauleʻa either beforehand or during the event.

There was entertainment all day including the middle school E’ Imi Mau and ʻUkulele classes, KSM Enrichment Club, “Boom” by CJ Helekahi, Trinity Valley Elementary, KS Maui’s Hawaiian Ensemble, Noelani Mahoe, Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, Zenshin Daiko, Konomi Dance Company and Nuff Sedd.

Visitors learned about Hawaiian culture from Hawaiian language students who demonstrated activities such as pounding kalo into poi, kapa making and Hawaiian tattoo printing.

The junior class of 2015 hosted the Hana Lima booth, which featured arts and crafts for children of all ages, including tops made from kukui nuts and bamboo sticks, Hawaiian Kendamas, signs made from wood and shells, fabric flowers and more.

There were also jumping castles and game booths for children to win prizes at.

“I love the jumping castle,” fourth grader Malia Bennett said. “It’s super fun!”

New this year were films in Mr. Laufou’s room. The films were directed by Native Hawaiians and included, Kai Wahine, Small Kine Stories, Queenie and Family of the Waʻa.

KS Maui cheerleaders manned the dunk tank, and this year, there was a competition to see which dunkee could raise the most money. There were two winners.

As the children were off playing, parents were able to shop at the many vendors in the Pāki and Konia buildings. Everything from clothes to stuffed animals to jewelry and plants were on sale.

There was also a Country Store that sold Maui-grown produce and more.

Like every year, food was a hit for all visitors. The food available included Hawaiian plates, steak plates, pizza, nachos, burgers, chow fun, poke bowls, and turkey wraps.

For those with a sweet tooth, there was a Sweet Shoppe, including items such as caramel apples, mud pie, bradda pops, cotton candy, Paradise Tropical Ice and poi mochi.

New this year, were storefronts for every food booth. They were made by Ms. Sunny Kim and her family.

“We just wanted to make it more festive,” Ms. Kim said.

After the store fronts were made, each booth was allowed to decorate it. The booth that had the best decor won a prize.

The KS Alumni Association ran the rummage sale, and all proceeds go to the alumni association scholarship fund for KS Maui.

The sophomore class of 2016 was in charge of this year’s Hoʻolauleʻa, which meant each student had to work 24 hours. Sophomore Kekai Aquino said she worked beforehand packing t-shirts as well as in the logo booth and the nacho booth today.

“I think it’s going good,” Aquino said. “There’s a lot of people.”

Though the sophomore class was in charge of the event, students and families from all grades lent a helping hand to make the 10th annual Hoʻolauleʻa a success.