Kohala Elementary students explore Korean culture
Through the Artists in the Schools program funded by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and by the North Kohala Student Cultural and Enrichment Program, Kohala Elementary School fifth-graders made Korean masks, learned a Korean mask dance, explored mask improvisations though drama and learned Korean culture and history.
The Korean Mask Dance-Drama artist-in-residence is Bonnie Kim.
‘Famous’ cookie kahuna gives 9 million free books to Hawaii students
“Famous” cookie kahuna, Wally Amos and the Read it LOUD! Foundation are giving away free eLibrary cards to every K-12 student in the state of Hawaii. Each eLibrary card gives students access to more than 3 million age-appropriate eBooks, tutorials, articles, journals, audio books and graphic novels at School eBook Library, and more than 6 million crowd-sourced, peer-reviewed articles at World Heritage Encyclopedia.
The Read it LOUD! Foundation has been fighting illiteracy by promoting families reading at least 10 minutes a day together. Now in collaboration with corporations, private foundations and individual donors, Read it LOUD! is making literature more accessible. According to Begin to Read, two-thirds of all students who cannot read proficiently by the end of fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare. Like Wally Amos, founder and spokesperson for Read it LOUD! says, “The only way we are ever going to get rid of the problem of adult illiteracy is to create a generation of young readers.” As President Barack Obama said when he launched the “Race to the Top” competition in 2009, we need to “raise the quality of education from kindergarten to senior year; through innovation and effective approaches.”
To learn more about the 2014 Read it LOUD! Literacy Campaign or to sign up your school, please contact Julie Williams, director of public relations of Read it LOUD! Foundation, P.O. Box 22687, Honolulu, HI 96823 julie@readitloud.org.
Father, daughter graduates to speak at commencement
A father and daughter who are both graduating this year will be the student speakers for the 2014 commencement ceremony for University of Hawaii Center at West Hawaii.
The commencement ceremony will be at 4 p.m. May 17 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village Kohala Ballroom.
Malie Koehler, 21, is a liberal arts major who plans to pursue a degree in education, and Stefan Koehler, 43, is a nursing major who will graduate with an associate degree in nursing.
“Our perspective is that this is a total blessing,” said Koehler. “We were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa together and will graduate together.”
“All I can say is that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to graduate with my daughter and speak with her as well,” Koehler added.
Marty Fletcher, the director of UH Center at West Hawaii, said, “This is an important day in the lives of our students, and commencement is our way of honoring all the talent and hard work they have displayed on their way to obtaining their degrees and certificates.”
A simple reception will follow the ceremony.
Konawaena Middle School curriculum showcase May 14
Konawaena Middle School will hold its annual curriculum showcase from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 14 at the school. The event celebrates student achievement with parents and community members and includes student performances, student work displays and refreshments.
For more information, contact Annie Zamber at 323-4566, ext. 255.
Kealakehe Army JROTC announces awards
Members of the Kealakehe U.S. Army JROTC held their annual awards ceremony May 2.
Recipients of the Superior Cadet Award were Precious Palea, Maika Souza, Vincent Cervantes and Rhealiza Pira. The cadet of the year was awarded to cadet Maika Souza. Cadet Kalei Poaha-Pali was chosen as next year’s battalion commander.
Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition May 17
The annual Malia Craver Hula Kahiko Competition
is slated for May 17. Tickets are available for the event at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium at the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus. The event begins at 10 a.m. This year, Kamehameha Schools’ Hawaiian Ensemble is hosting the event with proceeds benefiting Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society.
Participating in the middle school competition will be Cathedral Catholic Academy, Kamehameha Middle School Kapalama, Kamehameha Middle School Keaau, Kamehameha School Maui, Ka Waihona o Ka Naauao, Ke Kula o Nawahiokalaniopuu LPCS, Mililani Middle School, and Saint Louis School. Participating in the high school competition will be Hilo High School, Kamehameha Hawaiian Ensemble, Kamehameha Schools Maui, Lahainaluna High School, Punahou School, Saint Louis School and St. Joseph Jr. Sr. High School. There will be three categories: kane, wahine and hui ia. Dancers will be judged based on chanting style, interpretation of the dances and cultural appropriateness of costumes and adornments.
Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults. To purchase tickets and for more information contact the Kalihi-Palama Culture and Arts Society office at 521-6905 or info@kpcahawaii.com.