‘A powerful expression of Aloha ʻĀina’

More than 300 middle and high school students from Kauaʻi and Niʻihau joined Kauaʻi Community College on Dec. 2 to celebrate Lā Kūʻokoʻa, or Hawaiian Independence Day.

Students from Waimea High School, Kapaʻa High School, Ka ʻOhā, Kanuikapono, Kawaikini and Ke Kula o Niʻihau participated.

“Lā Kūʻokoʻa is one of our lāhui’s national holidays, which began in 1843 after Great Britain and France signed a treaty that recognized the Hawaiian Kingdom and its sovereignty,” said Kauaʻi Community College assistant Hawaiian Studies professor Pualiʻiliʻimaikalani Rossi-Fukino. “We choose to honor Lā Kūʻokoʻa as a way to instill national pride in our people and because it is a powerful expression of Aloha ʻĀina (patriotism).”

Supporting the Language of Kauaʻi, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting Hawaiian language on Kauaʻi through education and cultural enrichment programs, received grant funding through KS Kaiāulu to put on the event.

KS Kaiāulu shares a spectrum of resources and opportunities offered by Kamehameha Schools and its community partners that embrace keiki, ʻōpio (youth) and ʻohana along their journey of life-long learning.

Kauaʻi Community College Hawaiian Club students partnered with the nonprofit and partners Nā Pua Noʻeau, Kanaeokana and Kawaikini to host the event.

Students rotated between watching films, doing activities such as kuʻi kalo (pounding taro to make poi), kōnane (an ancient Hawaiian board game) and kapa making, presentations and Makahiki games.

Kauaʻi Community College has celebrated Lā Kūʻokoʻa for 10 years.

“We want our students and our campus to honor and uplift the Hawaiian culture, its history and traditions,” said Rossi-Fukino. “It also provides a way to teach our students about Hawaiian history, language, art and traditions.”