Hamakua Youth Center in Hamakua Times
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A young camper shows how to make pa’i'ai
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On June 18, 2012, the Hamakua Youth Center partnered with Kanu O Ka ‘Aina Learning ‘Ohana (KALO) and the Queen Liliokalani Children’s Center (QLCC) to provide a week-long enriching summer camp for children and their families. Fourteen youth and eleven adults participated in the summer program.
This camp brought together the youth and their families to experience an ‘Ohana focused camp for one week in Waipi’o Valley, at the property of Ben and Ku’ulei Badua. The week was full of various activities, including Hawaiian language classes, hula, the making of the Hawaiian bamboo flute, and excursions out to lend a helping hand to neighboring taro farmers in the valley. History and education were provided about the ‘Auwai and Po’owai (waterways) in Waipi’o, as well as information and history about the valley, its’ chiefs and the Hawaiian Monarchy. One of the primary focuses of this summer camp was to bring youth and their families together to share in the various activities and learning opportunities presented through the enriching program designed by the staff from the three organizations, which are focused on the youth of this island.
Each day began with morning protocol which included chanting and prayer. Evening programs included after-dinner story telling, and lessons in Hawaiian culture and history. Through-out the days, youth and their families learned how to clean and prepare the taro patch, or lo’i, for planting, and enjoyed harvesting taro and making poi, and pa’i ‘ai, which is a tasty version of poi before the water is added. Youth also learned how to set prawn traps, make lau lau, and which ferns from the valley are good for eating.
The success of the partnership of Kanu O Ka ‘Aina Learning ‘Ohana, the Queen Liliokalani Children’s Center and the Hamakua Youth Center in bringing this ‘Ohana camp to youth and their families was evident during the culminating Ho’ike presented by the youth for an enthusiastic audience. Even with the rain all week in Waipi’o, everyone’s spirits were high, life skills and life-long learning were integrated, and plans for the next camp were already underway.
Hamakua Youth Center’s Hula Festival in North Hawaii News:
Hula festival supports Hamakua Youth Center
Thursday, April 19th, 2012
BY LISA MARIE DAHM
North Hawaii News
On April 21, the Honokaa People’s Theatre will be alive with hula.
Some of Hawaii’s most exciting halaus will perform at the Hamakua Youth Foundation Hula Festival, starting at 4 p.m., in support of the Hamakua Youth Center in Honokaa.
Read Entire Article Here: http://northhawaiinews.com/news/hula-festival-supports-hamakua-youth-center.html
1st Annual Hamakua Youth Foundation Hula Festival
It takes a village to be successful. This was definitely true for the Honoka`a community on Saturday, April 21 with the Hamakua Youth Foundation’s 1st Annual Hula Festival turning out to be a huge success.
Over 300 youth and adults including an appreciative enthusiastic audience, dancers and musicians of all ages from 4 years old to kupuna, and an all-volunteer production company joined in a celebration of Hawaiian culture and community done local style at the Honoka`a People’s Theater. All of this happened in support of the Hamakua Youth Center and it’s mission to provide a safe place and healthy alternative for the youth of the community.
The audience enjoyed performances from Halau O Po`ohala, Halua Na Lei Punahele, Halau Hula Helele`i Pua O Waipi’o, dancers from the Honoka`a Schools Hawaiian Studies program featuring Keala Peters Case and Daylemarc Aten, Hamakua Youth Center soloist Andrea Gonzales, and kupuna soloists kumu hula Aloha DelaRosa and Grace Walker.
Festivities began and continued through the evening with music provided by Hoku Hatico & Auntie Arlene Pihanakalani, and our emcees, Ka`iulani Pahi`o and Dane Maikui kept the program moving along with humor and good fun.
The 4 hour celebration included an intermission with ono chicken long rice prepared by the Maikui family and bell ringing as $20 donations or more were put into the calabash.
This was truly a memorable occasion for all those in attendance. Although the youngest of the keiki were not always dancing in unison, it definitely contributed to a sense of joy in watching them perform. Other dancers truly performed at a professional level. The applause and hoots and hollers from the audience were truly an expression of genuine appreciation.
The evening ended emotionally with the performers and audience holding hands and singing “Hawai`i Aloha” lead by Hamakua’s own Lanakila Manguail.
The celebration also brought in much needed funding for the Hamakua Youth Center in the form of a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, and generous contributions at the event. Sponsors included the North Hawaii Drug Free Coalition, Paul Mitchell Systems (Harry and Sandy McDonald), Lava Rock Realty (Peggy Yuan), Renewable Energy (Peter and Lisa Shakleford), Dave and Sherry Pettus, Jack Zimmerman and Jaquelyn McCandless, Barbara Franklin, and Joel Cohen and Phyllis Tarail.
Plans are already in the works for the next Hula Festival. The Hamakua Youth Foundation wants to make this community event an annual affair. It will be only one of more fund raising events planned by the organization to ensure that the valuable programs provided by the Hamakua Youth Center continue to thrive and grow. Event committees are being formed and others are encouraged to participate in this grassroots effort. Please call the Center at 775-0976 to become part of the Hamakua Youth Foundation ohana.
