Kaʻū News Briefs May 25, 2024

   Lanakila Manguail gave the Special Address. Raised in Honoka'a and graduating from Kanu O Ka `Aina Charter School, he is considered a cultural and environmental protector, cultivator and educator. A Kumu Hula, he has worked in the state Department of Education and has run for several elective offices.
    Manguail shared his own Charter School experience as a student and recalled the teachers giving him the personal attention he needed. He talked about the chapters of life, which for students, "is always school," but changes. He said, "Life is always a journey. Life began with the first breath."

Lanakila Mangual was keynote speaker and talks with  Ocean Keal'i Nainoa Nihipali-Sesson who is heading to Orange Coast Community College to play football. Photo by Ophir Danenberg

    He noted, "We are always in the real world." He suggested to students that they seek to live a balanced life through understanding. He talked about the fine line between having pride and "being stuck up. You find pride in haahaa," humility, but he cautioned, "Don't let humility stop you from seizing the opportunity. That is the balance of walking through life." He advised the students to "continue to strive for the righteous path every step of the way."

   Manu Goodhue, the Volcano high school coordinator and registrar, came from a background in college counseling. In her Kumu Address, she commended the students for staying with the program to become the school's first high school graduating class. She pointed to the challenges, particularly during the COVID pandemic, with times of education going online and on the phone. She said,"it is a privilege to have overcome those challenges."
   She stressed that the most important aspect of the school is the community, particularly with the small program at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. She left the students with the message, "You are not by yourself. We are here for you guys. Remember this is your home. If any time you need something, you are part of this 'ohana forever."

    Here are the results of the Spring Rodeo at the same location:
    Open team Roping: 1st Bronson Branco and Kaihau Onaka; 2nd Josh Gomes and Kaihau Onaka; 3rd Kevin Hill and Kaihau Onaka; 4th Josh Gomes and Chris Awa.
    Wahine Team Roping: 1st Brandy Gomes and Kaiahu Onaka; 2nd Kevin Hill and Makayla Awa; 3rd -

Last year's Rodeo Queen ShaniaLee Silva congratulates Wahine Double Mugging winners Makayla Awa and Katie Andrade and their  keiki at the 2023 July 4 Rodeo weekend. Photo by Joy Marie Ridgley

Brandy Gomes and Damien Flores.
    Century Team Roping: 1st Gilbert Smith and Allen Gomes; 2nd Audwin Aiwohi and Mac Castillo.
    Double Mugging: 1st Bronson Branco and Nalu Villanueva; 2nd Rigan Kaapana and Dale Arruda ; 3rd Frank Costa and Dutyn Abaya.
    Wahine Mugging: 1st Katie Andrade & Kalia Andrade.
    Kane/Wahine Ribbon mugging: 1st Raisha Karratti and Jamin Mederios; 2nd Katie Andrade and Bronson Branco; 3rd Shannon Benevides and Billy Benevides; 4th Makayla Awa and Chris Awa.
    Wahine Breakaway: 1st Katie Andrade; 2nd Kalena Kaiwi; 3rd Shannon Benevides; 4th Kalia Andrade.
    Po'owaiu:1st Bronson Branco; 2nd Kaihau Onaka; 3rd Westin Joseph.
    Dummy Roping 4 & Under: 1st Kapena Leite.
    Dummy roping 5-8: 1st Skylar Branco; 2nd Ella Marie Jose; 3rd Jesamy Ann Silva.
    Goat Undercoating 4 & Under: 1st Kapena Leite; 2nd Leann Silva.3rd Eva Jose.
    Goat Undercoating 5-8: 1st Jesamy Ann Silva: 2nd Maximas Parks: 3rd Ella Marie Jose.
    Keiki Barrels: 1st Ella Marie Jose; 2nd Maximas Parks; 3rd Ezera Leialoha.