The sound of hundreds of Hawaiians, young and old, empowering each other in their native tongue filled the air in Ka’ulaheanuiokamoku Gymnasium at Kamehameha Schools Maui Friday morning at the Pō’alima ‘Ula’ula, Red Friday, assembly on October 19.
“What I see is joy and a group of people coming together and believing in one thing and loving each other and that’s what it’s all about. That’s who we are, Hawaiians, and we are about aloha,” said Hawaiian Protocol Facilitator Kumu ‘Ekela Crozier, coordinator and director of the assembly.
The truest spirit of ‘ohana, ha’aheo and aloha were shown at the exciting Pō’alima ‘Ula’ula assembly. Young preschoolers, growing elementary children, up-and-coming middle schoolers, and industrious high school students of Kamehameha Schools Maui joined teachers, alumni and kupuna in songs and cheers.
“My favorite part [of Pō’alima ‘Ula’ula] was cheering and coming together,” 7th grader Kalani Gregory said.
All three campuses and teachers brought a cheer to the assembly, encouraging Hawaiian spirit and pride. Everyone present united in one voice as they shouted “’Eleū,” “Ha’a,” “It takes,” “Hot Cha Cha,” “Kamehameha Koa,” “E leo makou,” “I mua Kamehameha.”
“Our theme this year is ‘He ‘ohana kākou’ and there’s no better way to bring everyone together like a family, through activities like this,” said elementary music teacher Mr. Clark Tuitele.
This assembly not only brought the family of Kamehameha Maui together, but also prepared the Warriors for their last homecoming game at Kana’iaupuni Stadium this season. The junior varsity and varsity football teams embraced the sound of support as they prepared to face the Baldwin Bears.
“Just seeing the spirit, it makes us want to give it all…it makes us want to play our hearts out,” said varsity football player Austin Kan Hai.
The pride at the Pō’alima ‘Ula’ula assembly was obvious as students chanted lively cheers and sang songs in remembrance of their history.
Pō’alima ‘Ula’ula was started in 2003 as, first, a demonstration against, and later, a celebration of a failed suit against Kamehameha Schools.
Since then, Kamehameha Maui has gotten together once or twice a year in the spirit of lōkahi, or unity. They reflect on what it means to be Hawaiian. Games, songs, speeches, and chants are often done at these gatherings to perpetuate the culture and keep the fire of pride burning.
