Congratulatory lei and gifts smothered the three graduates — Malani Bilyeu, Kapa‘a Ka‘imina‘auao and Pookela Clagett — on Friday as the trio were rushed by throngs of family, the school’s student body, relatives and friends during ‘Aha Puka Kula 2025, or the Kawaikini New Century Public Charter School graduation.
“I can at least see one eye,” said Kumu ‘Alohilani Rogers, the school’s Cultural Education specialist. “The lei cover everything, the kihei and customary maile lei. But at least, I can see one eye.”
This scene will be replicated throughout the many graduations, especially the public high schools where nearly a thousand students from Kapaa, Kauai and Waimea high schools make the final walk to receive their high school diplomas on Friday. Island School is celebrating its high school graduation Saturday.
The high schools join numerous other nursery and preschools, and even some elementary schools, in celebrating the transition of students to the next level schools.
“This tying of the kihei had to be done at noon when the sun casts no shadow,” Rogers said. “The sun is directly overhead and all the information settles in the body. We tie the kihei so none of the information can flow out of the body.”
Although performed entirely in olelo Hawaii, key points were presented in English in the day’s program, explained Kawaikini Principal Namomi McCorriston.
“We acknowledge our ancestors, and everyone who has helped teach these graduates to this point,” McCorriston said.
Each graduate made their kihei out of kapa, a cloth-like material created from the inner bark of the wauke plant. During the process, the graduates have learned much about the ancient process, and a few life lessons as well, the program said. The kihei is tied to prevent any of the information learned from leaking out.
The second component of graduation is the maile lei that was collected by ohana from Kokee with support from Kawaikini alumni.
“As the maile grows in the forest, it relies on the larger trees to cling to as it reaches to sunlight,” Rogers said. “The beauty of the maile is enhanced by the many strands twisted together to make a lei. Similarly, our graduates have relied on each of their family and friends to bring them to this point in their lives, and they are adorned today with the many strands of love.”
The Kawaikini graduates were each invited to continue their learning journey by attending Kauai Community College through the Waialeale Project that will provide them at least a year of scholarships.
Each graduate was also honored with college credits earned during their high school career. Bilyeu earned 15 college credits, Ka‘imina‘auao and Clagett each earned nine credits. Finally, pending the outcome of tests, Bilyeu is in line for Ka Palapal ‘Olelo Palua award.
