Kaʻū News Briefs Jan. 14, 2025

HAWAIIAN IMMERSION SCHOOL ORGANIZERS IN WAI'OHINU kicked off their Kū Hāweo Project

Conch blows for Ku Haweo Project
Photo by Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses

recently with a workshop for 14 keiki ages 0-5, and 11 mākua (parents) and kūpuna (elders). It will continue on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month.
    The immersion school organizing group Ke Kula Nā ʻĀʻaliʻi Kū Makani ʻO Kaʻū named the session Kū Hāweo Family Child Interaction Learning Program and said it demonstrated "the community’s commitment to revitalizing ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and cultural traditions. The workshop focused on fostering family collaboration, deepening cultural connections, and integrating ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language) into everyday life. Through interactive activities, storytelling, and cultural practices, participants began building a foundation for early learning readiness and a shared connection to the rich heritage of Kaʻū."
   Immersion school organizer and Alaka'i Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses said, “We are excited and encouraged by the turnout and enthusiasm from our ʻohana. This is the first step toward creating a space where families can grow together in their knowledge of ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi and our cultural traditions.”
    She said that the Kū Hāweo program is a cornerstone of the school’s mission to establish a Hawaiian immersion preschool. 

    For more information about Kū Hāweo and how to get involved, contact kauhawaiianimmersion@gmail.com. Moses said, "Mahalo piha to all who participated and supported this important initiative. Together, we are strengthening the roots of our community and ensuring a thriving future for the next generation."

    The immersion school venue is provided by the Gary & Apolonia Stice 'Ohana. See sticeohana.org.

Hawaiian immersion school beginnings at Wai'ohinu. Photo by Raylene Auli'i Fujikawa Moses

OPENING DAY OF THE 2025 HAWAI'I LEGISLATURE is Wednesday, with ceremonies at the state Capitol involving Kaʻū's state Senate member and Majority Leader Dru Kanuha and House of Representatives member Jeanne Kapela. They are both Democrats and their party leader is Derek Turbin.

Turbin noted that Wednesday will mark the first day a woman becomes Hawai'i Speaker of the House. She is Nadine K. Nakamura, a Neighbor Islander from Kaua'i. 

Senate Majority leader Dru Kanuha represents Kaʻū and beyond. 

    Turbin called Opening Day "a unique opportunity for our residents across the state to meet their lawmakers and share their priorities for the session ahead. In past years, hundreds of people have gathered at the Capitol to advance initiatives ranging from rebuilding the Lāhainā community to addressing affordable housing to advancing human rights. During the event, the House and Senate will deliver opening remarks and set the tone for the next four months. After the Pule and ceremonial roll-call, representatives will return to their offices to greet 
their constituents."
    Turbin said the Democratic mission includes the aim to "protect our diverse communities." To connect with legislators, visit https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/. To learn more about Opening Day and to engage in the legislative process, visit the Public Access Room at https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/. This resource offers
free seminars, workshops, and tools to help participate, track legislation, and offer testimony.
    To learn more about Senate member Kanuha and to communicate with him, visit

House member Jeanne Kapela represents Kaʻū and beyond.

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/legislature/memberpage.aspx?member=184&year=2025. Kanuha is Majority Leader and serves on the Senate Committees of Education, Housing, Triansportaion & Culture & the Arts and Ways & Means.
To learn more about House member Kapela representing Ka'u and to communicate with her, visit https://www.repkapela.com/. Kapela serves on the Education, Higher Education and Labor Committees.
To learn more about the Democratic Party and its platform, visit https://www.hawaiidemocrats.org/. To learn more about the Republican Party and its platform, visit https://thehawaiirepublicanparty.com/. To learn more about the Green Party and its platform, visit https://www.greenpartyofhawaii.org/.
To register to vote, visit https://olvr.hawaii.gov/

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