NEWS RELEASE
Honolulu City Council, Mayor Kirk Caldwell Honor 50th Anniversary of Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i
Posted: July 21, 2017
Honolulu - (June 7, 2017) – The Honolulu City Council and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell held separate ceremonies today honoring the 50th anniversary of Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i program.
“Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i, part of the Explorations program, is a weeklong summer boarding program of Hawaiian studies for keiki entering grade 6 from public and private schools in communities across Hawai‘i, the continental United States, and across the globe. These students spend the week at Kamehameha Schools’ Kapālama campus immersed in cultural learning experiences that focus on foundational Hawaiian values and practices.
The summer of 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i and 50 years of Hawaiian cultural education. The program has touched the lives of more than 50,000 keiki.
“Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i sets the course in embracing Hawaiian culture and strong cultural identity by introducing keiki to foundational values and practices through learning experiences centered around ‘āina, mo’olelo, and cultural traditions that include work in lo‘i kalo, fishpond restoration, mele, hula, and more,” said Wai ‘ale ‘ale Sarsona, Managing Director of Kūamahi Community Education.
“We look forward to another 50 years of educational opportunities grounded in Hawaiian culture.”
Mayor Kirk Caldwell held a ceremony to proclaim June 11-17 “Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i Week” in the City and County of Honolulu. The proclamation “recognizes Kamehameha Schools’ commitment to connecting keiki to their cultural roots and ‘āina-based learning while working toward a thriving lāhui.”
Honolulu City Council Vice Chair Ikaika Anderson introduced at the Honolulu City Council an honorary certificate congratulating Kamehameha Schools’ Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i program for this milestone. “The Council further wishes all those affiliated with the Ho‘omāka‘ika‘i program much Aloha and many more successful years to come,” Councilmember Anderson said during this morning’s ceremony.
Throughout the history of this program, students have attended classes on Hawaiian language, literature, crafts, plants, ocean studies and music and, with the help of community partners, have taken field trips to places like Mauna ‘Ala, ‘Iolani Palace, Hanauma Bay, Ali‘iōlani Hale, and more recently to Loko Ea Fishpond in Hale‘iwa, Ka Papa Lo‘i ‘o Punalu‘u, and Waipao in the ahupua’a of He’eia. The week’s activities culminate with a Friday Ho‘olaule‘a at which keiki share with family and friends what they have learned – including the program’s signature mele, “E ia nei, look at us!”
Ho’omāka‘ika‘i evolved from an activity initiated by John White, then a teacher in the Kamehameha Elementary School. In 1965, while teaching summer school at Kilohana School on Moloka‘i, Mr. White discovered that most of his students had never left their island. He made arrangements for the weekend use of Kamehameha Schools’ dormitories and dining room. He flew groups of four students at a time to Honolulu for six weekends. They visited the Bishop Museum, Sea Life Park, Ala Moana Shopping Center and the Arizona Memorial. When the summer ended, Jack Darvill, then assistant to the president of Kamehameha Schools, thought Mr. White’s trips were a great idea and after two years of planning, the Explorations Program began in 1968 with 928 students.
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About Kamehameha Schools
Founded in 1887 by Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kamehameha Schools (KS) is a private, educational, charitable Native Hawaiian trust committed to improving the capability and wellbeing of our people through education. Income generated from its endowment portfolio of commercial real estate and other diverse investments funds more than 96 percent of KS’ educational mission.
In 2015, Kamehameha Schools embarked on a bold, exciting voyage that envisions, in one generation, a thriving Lāhui in which all learners achieve postsecondary educational success, enabling good life and career choices. Grounded in Christian and Hawaiian values, learners will be leaders who contribute to their communities locally and globally.
At the heart of this journey are those who share this vision to ensure that all Native Hawaiians have the opportunity to succeed. Strong community collaborations, donor participation and key state, national and international partnerships are vital to creating the means to propel learners onto knowledge and career paths of their choice. Visit ksbe.edu for more information.
