Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 8, 2024

Families gathered in Wai‘ōhinu on Saturday to move forward on establishing a Hawaiian language immersion school as Ka'ili DeLeon blows the pū during the ceremonial opening in front of Kehau Lee Hong-Mauga and Nohea Ka'awa. Photo by Julia Neal

SUPPORTERS OF A HAWAIIAN IMMERSION SCHOOL met in Wai‘ōhinu on Saturday, with almost 70 parents, educators, children and community supporters gathering outdoors on the grounds of the Shirakawa Hotel. Nohea Ka'awa and Kehau Lee Hong-Mauga led protocol and blessings with lei. Ka'ili DeLeon,

Keiki checked out Hawaiian language books and
games with Wai'ala Ahn at immersion school
event on Saturday. Photo by Cadence Feeley

who attends third grade at Ke Kula 'O Nāwahīokalani'ōpuʻu Iki Lab Public Charter School, blew the pū for the ceremony. The group also gathered within the former Lori Lei Shirakawa Hula Studio, which is slated for the indoor venue for the program.

Many attending the event said that an Hawaiian immersion school is long overdue in Kaʻū. Leader of the mission to establish the school, called Ke Kula Nā ʻAʻaliʻi Kū Makani o Kaʻū, is Raylene A'uli Fujikawa Moses. She said the group signed a lease with the Stice 'Ohana Foundation, which owns the property and supports the mission. The next step is fundraising to support a kumu to lead the program. "As soon as we have kumu, we will start," said Moses.

The plan is to first open the place for families with newborns to five years of age to come together during the days. While the organizers are building capacity, including curriculum, licensing and staff, a Family Children Integrated Learning program can start at Wai‘ōhinu and other places.

Parents and children can come together to learn the language, 'Olelo Hawai'i. In addition to weekdays, the Wai‘ōhinu campus can be open in the evenings and weekends for outdoor and indoor education. "We want to make sure we use the place for the community," she said. "The longterm goal is to build at pre-K through 12th grade campus." Organizers are looking to eventually establish a Charter School or other entity for the Hawaiian immersion school.

Almost 70 supporters of a Hawaiian immersion school for Ka'u
made a circle Saturday on the grounds of Shirakawa Hotel, the
campus for the start of the project. Photo by Julia Neal

Moses said that the vision also includes growing kumu - teachers from within the community. "People who have some education can go back to school and we will help them so they can become kumu. Kupuna and others with Hawaiian language skills are invited to support the vision. People with other skills wanting to learn 'olelo Hawai' can join us," said Moses.

Many wanting to volunteer and work at the new immersion school came to the meeting, a number of them talking to each other in Hawaiian. One of them already providing enormous help, said Moses, is Louisa Lee, director of operations of Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo – Ke Kula Hoʻāmana ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiian immersion Charter School in Keaukaha. The school donated tables and chairs to the Wai‘ōhinu effort and Lee is providing guidance in developing the program and seeking funding.

Nohea Ka'awa explains the role of the nonprofit ‘Iewe Hānau o ka ‘Āina
in starting the Hawaiian immersion school. Photo by Cadence Feeley

The Wai‘ōhinu immersion school group is looking for $60,000 to $100,000 for initial funding. A funding committee is meeting every Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Kula - the place - and interested donors, fundraisers and volunteers are welcome to stop in. ‘Iewe Hānau o ka ‘Āina is the non-profit entity for donations. Another umbrella is ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.

The group is planning an online auction in October. The old Ice House on the Shirakawa grounds may become a store to sell what is grown on the land and made by the students. Initially it will be used for yard sales and items for the auction. Community members are invited to donate items and volunteer at the store. Call Raylene A'uli Fujikawa Moses at

Leaders of the school project are Alaka'i: Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses, Berkely Yoshida and Nohea Ka'awa. Advisors are Kehau Mauga and Louisa Lee. Parent Advocates are Wai'ala Ahn, Cadence Feeley and Miki Moses.

To read comments, add y o ur own, and l ike thi s story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.co m. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

Pricilla Presley at the Palace Theatre with Ginny Tiu, who starred with Elvis Presley in the film Girls!Girls! Girls! Tiu is
accompanied by family. Photo by Tim Wright

Tim Wright and Pricilla Presley

PRICILLA PRESLEY MET UP WITH TIM WRIGHT, the Ka'u High graduate '77 and news photographer, to cover for People Magazine the 102nd Celebration of Palace Theatre in Hilo. Wright said guests at the 102nd celebration on Sept. 6 were treated to a delightful surprise as Presley made her way around the stage event, greeting attendees and posing for photos under the theatre's soft, glowing lights.
After the festivities, she took the stage for her presentation, An Evening with Priscilla Presley.
Actress Ginny Tiu, who starred alongside Elvis Presley in the 1962 film Girls! Girls! Girls!, also made a special appearance. The Palace Theatre, which opened its doors on Sept. 6, 1922, was further honored by an outdoor performance by the ladies from Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre.

Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre honors 102 years of the Palace Theatre. Photo by Tim Wright

Adahdiyah Ellis-Reyes runs for a touchdown against Kohala to help lead Trojans to a 23-8 victory. Photo by Mark Peters

Trojan defender JJ Amaral chases Kohala ball
carrier. Photo by Mark Peters

MORE DETAILS ARE IN FROM KA'U'S WIN OVER KOHALA in Saturday's 23-8 football game on the road. Assistant Coach Mark Peters reports that quarterback Adahdiya Ellis-Reyes led the offense with 18 rushes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He also passed for a touchdown.
The defense played a solid game adding three interceptions by Zeka Ka'awa, Ian Beck and Zeyden Gallano. The defense was led by Triton Blanco and Vlad Fedoruk with six tackles each. The defense also scored a safety when Ka'awa and Blanco tackled the Cowboy runner behind the goal line.
After the game, Kau Trojans celebrated the win and Cy Zeah "Oli" Silva-Kamae's birthday.
Next up, Trojans will travel to Kamehameha School - Hawai'i for a Friday the 13th night game under the lights.
Kaʻū heads to Honoka'a at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū travels to Pahoa on Thursday, Sept. 26. Kohala comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kaʻū goes to Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Oct. 12 and Kamehameha comes to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 19. Honoka'a travels to Kaʻū on Saturday, Oct. 26, followed by BIIF Division Championships.
Athletic Director is Jaime Guerpo. Head coach is Connor Norton. Assistant Coach is Mark Peters. Coaching staff includes Greg Rush, Ray Mayzack, Duane Pua, Time Drafaul, Ted Blanco and Walter Parada. Athletic Trainer is Moses Whitcomb.