LIHU‘E — Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i Inc. presents Ke Kahua O Ka Malamama, an art and cultural after-school program for youth. Translated as “the foundation of the light of knowledge,” this six-week program funded by a grant from the state Office
LIHU‘E — Hale ‘Opio Kaua‘i Inc. presents Ke Kahua O Ka Malamama, an art and cultural after-school program for youth.
Translated as “the foundation of the light of knowledge,” this six-week program funded by a grant from the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs seeks teenagers of Native Hawaiian ancestry for participation in field trips and projects exploring Hawaiian culture.
Four quarterly programs will be offered to alternating schools on the island through April. The most recent participants were teens from Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School in Puhi.
Program instructors Kathleen and Kelvin Ho are seeking six to eight committed youth from Kaua‘i High School for the next quarterly installment, beginning mid-October.
“Founding members of Hale ‘Opio from day one, over 30 years ago, had an art program, and they kept it alive because they saw that it works,” Kathleen Ho said.
“It helps the individual to explore their identity and ultimately connect with their environment, land and culture.”
Students make and design their own outrigger canoe paddle, learn to paddle a six-man canoe, interface with kupuna and use digital media to record the experience for a presentation they can share with their peers and parents, she said.
The paddle is constructed of wood pieces, glued, refined and decorated by students. The process of building a functional tool from scratch teaches woodworking skills through exposure to tools and life lessons of a much-loftier nature, she said.
“The paddle represents skills the teens receive through their kupuna,” Kelvin Ho said. “These are teachings being passed down to them.”
Kelvin Ho said his vision for Hale ‘Opio is as “a place where we can shelter youth and kupuna who have this knowledge to share. Hale ‘Opio is the space where that can unfold.”
The most recent group did interviews with affiliates of Napali Coast ‘Ohana during a visit to Nu‘alolo Kai Beach on Na Pali Coast where they helped with native-plant and rock-wall restoration.
“Using Nu‘alolo Kai as a living classroom connects the kids with a long lineage,” Kelvin Ho said.
Kathleen Ho has been working with youth through Hale ‘Opio since 1987, with husband Kelvin joining her in 1999. The two originally created after-school programs specifically for residents of two group homes for troubled youth. Both homes closed last year due to budget cuts.
The new after-school program will move from school to school seeking participants.
“The program allows teens to explore alternate ways of communication and creative expression,” Kathleen Ho said. “We do therapeutic art. It’s a good path for healing.”
The group participated in the inaugural blessing of a Torah. The hand-written, sacred relic will become part of a Jewish center of worship.
“This places the kids as representatives of the community,” Kelvin Ho said. “It’s leadership training. It gives them the confidence and knowledge of how to serve aloha.”
Classes meet at the Hale ‘Opio Learning Resource Center in Lihu‘e. Hours and days will be determined by the needs of students who sign up. For an application e-mail Jessie at jbonachita@haleopio.org or call 245-2873, ext. 221.
