Posted on: Sunday, May 27, 2001
Family Matters
Kalihi lore part of compromise for summer fun
By Ka'ohua Lucas
Special to The Advertiser
"Please, Mom," my two boys begged. "Don't send us to school this summer."
"Well, what am I supposed to do with you while I'm working?"
The two cherubs grinned and said in chorus, "Send us to summer fun!"
I've always been reluctant to enroll my keiki in a summer program that does not emphasize academics.
However, this year I had a change of heart. I agreed to register them for Summer Fun on one condition.
"Anything, Mom," they said, vigorously nodding their heads in unison.
"Well, you'll have to continue to read every day and keep a daily journal."
"No problem," my 7-year-old said, doing a jig in the middle of the room.
"And, there will be no complaints or whining or hedging on our agreement, OK?"
"Deal, Mom," said the 11-year-old leader.
Although these two "angels" seem earnest, I know that if I do not make their assignments fun, there will be resistance.
How can I enforce the reading and writing concept without a struggle?
I have carefully hatched a plan. I will use the place where we live — Kalihi — as our central theme to integrate reading and writing.
I found a legend about Haumea and Wakea — the goddess of the earth and god of the sky, respectively, who first made their home in Kilohana, the massive mountain on the northeast side of Kalihi Valley.
My plan would be to begin with my eldest son reading the mo'olelo (story) aloud to my 7-year-old.
As both boys enjoy art, I would work with them in creating a mural on butcher paper depicting the legend of Haumea and Wakea and their home in Kilohana.
Historically, Kalihi was "ideal for the building of fishponds, of which there were six," writes Gilbert McCallister in "Archaeology of Oahu." On the flatlands of Kalihi there were extensive lo'i (taro paddies), and in the uplands the soil was ideal for growing 'uala (sweet potatoes), uhi (yams), wauke (paper mulberry) and mai'a (banana).
At one time, there were three heiau in the valley — one was a ho'oulu'ai, or shrine, to increase food dedicated to Haumea.
On the west side of Kalihi stream there was a place called Kupehau, where chiefs in the vicinity would congregate to relax and "enjoy the delicious poi and lu'au that was to be had there," says the book "Native Planters" by E.S. Craighill Handy and Elizabeth Green Handy, with collaboration by Mary Kawena Pukui.
There is a stream named Kapo, believed to be the daughter of Haumea and Wakea, and a cliff named Kamohoali'i, lord of the sharks and the elder brother of the volcano goddess Pele.
As our 'ohana enjoys hiking, part of my plan will be to involve the entire family in a weekly outing to visit a specific site. There the boys can sketch, or photograph the area using disposable cameras, and make notes about what they see.
Then, returning home and over the course of the week, they will compile the information into a journal, complete with photos, sketches, and perhaps a poem as well as a story of their own if they are really ambitious.
I know all this sounds daunting.
But I'm committed to increasing my children's zest for learning through reading and writing while using the place where they live as a vehicle to teach.
I hope that instead of doing battle with my two boys this summer over their reading and writing assignments, I will relish the fruits of my labor.
"Hey, Mom, what mo'olelo are we going to read today?"
Stay tuned.
Ka'ohua Lucas has an 18-year-old daughter and two sons, 11 and 7. She hold a master's degree in education curriculum and instruction, and works as an educational consultant on Hawaiian curriculum.
Lucas and fellow Hawai'i parent Lynne Wikoff take turns writing the Family Matters column. If you have comments, questions or suggestions for future topics, write: Family Matters, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.
