By Kīpuka Kauaʻi, Liliʻuokalani Trust
Recently, kamaliʻi ages 6-9 from Liliʻuokalani Trust (Trust) participated in Ulupono, a program designed to enhance their cultural awareness and emotional wellbeing. It was hosted at Kīpuka Kauaʻi, one of 15 sites across the pae ʻāina where children of the Trust can gather to learn and feel supported.
Throughout the six-week program, these young kamaliʻi learned cultural protocols and practiced kilo (observation), and hanu and hā breathing. They participated in naʻau (mind/heart) activities and wrote in journals to identify their emotions and build awareness of their surroundings.
Through music, art, and writing, the kamaliʻi discovered avenues for self- expression and healthy ways to navigate their emotions.
Additionally, a reading of the book The Queen’s Moʻolelo: Introduction to the Queen further deepened the kamaliʻi’s connection to their heritage and birthright, and by the end of the six weeks, each child came away with knowledge of naʻau, hale ʻohana (family home), ola kino (health), and ʻimi ʻike (seeking knowledge).
We were truly inspired by the transformation of these young kamaliʻi, the cherished children of our Queen Liliʻuokalani.
One participant – a kāne from Ana- hola – joined the program hesitant to raise his hand to speak or participate in peer discussions. However, by the second week he was volunteering to deliver the opening and closing pule and lead the group’s breathing exercises.
The biggest breakthrough was his newfound ability to use “I” when speaking about himself. This eager young kāne was a wonderful example of how children, in a supportive environment, build social-emotional skills and cultural awareness.
The Ulupono program is one of many initiatives employed by Kīpuka Kauaʻi to support youth. Recently, middle and high school students from the kīpuka completed a program that acquainted them with the ʻāina and Kauaʻi’s close-knit communities.
The program, called Mohala i ka Wai ka Maka o ka Pua, heightened their understanding of local history, moʻolelo, and the ahupuaʻa system. One participant said that he finally understood the connection between wai, kānaka, and mālama ʻāina.
“This program made me realize who I am, and who I want to be,” he said, vowing to continue learning Hawaiian culture and language.
Another participant said it was her first time swimming in a cold pond and participating in the removal of invasive snail eggs. The experiences created positive memories for the teens, who strengthened their pilina with one another.
As coworkers and teammates of Kīpuka Kauaʻi, it is our privilege to support these youth, from first grade to college-bound seniors. Through the graciousness of our Queen, who established the Trust in 1909 for Hawaiian children, we will continue to nurture kamaliʻi as they develop compassion and a strong sense of self.
Please visit onipaa.org to learn more about Liliʻuokalani Trust.
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