Ka Hana No’eau Gains More Cultural Knowledge February 21, 2011

Ka Hana No’eau had a cultural in-service on Saturday, February 19, 2011. Two speakers were featured: Iokepa De Santos and Keone Nunes.

Anakala Iokepa focused on the idea of kuleana and its meaning. While the majority of students thought of kuleana as a person’s responsibility, Anakala Iokepa added the idea of it being a privilege. People should be honored to do what is right. Kuleana involves taking care of everything; your ohana, your school, your community, your spirituality, those around you, and yourself. The students listened attentively and got to share their interpretations of kuleana through a group presentation. One group presented a skit involving teaching others about kuleana by being an example. Another group asked individuals to share their own ideas about kuleana. And another group used the idea of a canoe to showcase kuleana by explaining the different jobs of each member of the canoe and relating that to the jobs of each member of society, working together as a team to reach a common goal. Students were complimented on a job well done!

The second speaker, Keone Nunes, shared insights and information about tattoos and tattooing. He is a “tap” tattoo artist who deals with the symbolic meanings of tattoos. He emphasized to the students that every design has meaning and that meaning needs to be respected. Keone Nunes has been all over the world and told students of the wealth of tattooing in the Pacific. He encouraged students to take inspiration from nature to create their own designs but to be mindful to do things properly, to be pono.

Reflections from the students coming soon…