Rotating through different stations set up around the Waimea High campus and neighboring Cook Field, Waimea Kakou built back the the strength of unity Friday.
Waimea High School Principal Mahina Anguay defined “kakou” as “being together,” as in everyone.
Waimea Kakou is a student-generated project designed to bring back the unity and spirit of working together that was overshadowed by concerns of the COVID-19 virus.
Participants that included the entire student body rotated through different stations, some featuring alumni and other being competitive events, building stronger relationships with each rotation.
Kyrie Linoz, Kahealani Pacanas, Clarenz Ringor and Kimberly-Ann Vidinha make up the team behind Waimea Kakou.
“Our idea for this day was to show and explain how important school pride is,” Linoz said. “My team chose this topic because we believe that it is important for students and staff to be proud of their school. We believe that Waimea Kakou can bring all of Waimea together — not just the students or the staff, but even the community.”
Several Waimea High School alumni — Kyle Linoz, Kim Frasco, Kaina Makua and Melinda Santella established stations where they, as alumni, talked about school spirit. Waimea High football coach Kyle Linoz did not have to say much, as senior class students got the message and silently pulled together for a group photo just minutes ahead of rotating out for recess.
“We miss the strong unity of working together before the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pacanas. “One of our alumni, Mrs. Frasco, is working with the sophomores in new cheers and singing the alma mater.”
Similar to the HA/La May Day coming up Monday, students rotate as a class, stopping at the different stations that, on Friday, centered around sporting events like volleyball, flag football, hula hoops, kickball and more. They finish the day competing against teachers, followed by an all-school rally.
“Mrs. Santella’s stop at the cafe involved people working together to form words using letters they held in their hand,” Pacanas said. “This is the HA breath of working together. Monday, we have a lot more culture, as students will rotate through stations offering shodo and origami, ‘ukulele, horseshoes, tinikling, fish-net throwing, konane, poi pounding, fire knife dancing, taiko and more.”
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 safety protocols being observed by the state Department of Education, the HA/La May Day is limited to attendance by the students’ families.
Anguay said that, later this week, the school’s student ambassadors, mostly underclassmen, will be presenting projects they worked on to improve the school with the help of Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders. Some of them will be featured on Hawai‘i News Now.
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
