Four Hawaiians chosen to represent ali'i at Aloha Festivals

By Zenaida Serrano Espanol
Advertiser Staff Writer

2003 Aloha Festivals O'ahu Ali'i Prince: Gerred Kawehe O Keau O Ainahau Wago King: John Kalei Laimana Jr. Queen: Wanda Kehaulani Kamauoha Princess: Ilimamae-kealoha Kupau Aloha Festivals Aloha Festivals Opening Ceremony 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 'Iolani Palace Free 589-1771

The Aloha Festivals committee selected them from 32 applicants — all volunteers of Hawaiian descent — to preside as high ali'i for O'ahu's Aloha Festivals Royal Court.

They are: King John Kalei Laimana Jr. of Kane'ohe, a private contractor; Queen Wanda Kehaulani Kamauoha of La'ie, a maintenance supervisor; Prince Gerred Kawehe O Keau O Ainahau Wago of Kewalo, a 2003 graduate of Roosevelt High School; and Princess Ilimamaekealoha Kupau of Wai'anae, a senior at Wai'anae High School.

Five questions were posed to the prince and princess of O'ahu's Aloha Festivals Royal Court:

Q. Why did you decide to apply for the position?

Kupau: "My grandma used to be the dresser for Aloha Festivals. She was the one who dressed the court to go out for appearances. And besides that, I wanted to learn more about my own culture."

Wago: "I thought it would be fun to see what my culture is like and to learn more about it."

Q. What did you learn from the cultural training?

Kupau: "We had to learn our protocols, how we acknowledge the king and queen, where we stand, how do we need to stand and uphold ourselves. It was kind of like a review for me because I was .... high chiefess (five or six years ago)."

Wago: "They taught us all kinds of stuff like the correct way to eat — like we don't eat until the king touches the food. ... The bad part is when you have to wear the malo (traditional loincloth for men).

You have to learn a certain way to sit because you can't wear nothing underneath."

Q. What does being on the Aloha Festivals Royal Court mean to you?

Kupau: "I'm honored because it's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing."

Wago: "It's a big honor to be on the court because you get to learn more about your culture."

Q. What are your plans for the scholarship? (The prince and princess each receive a $1,000 scholarship at the end of their one-year term, for the first time this year.)

Kupau: "I'm not too sure what school (I'm going to) yet, because I'm not sure if I want to stay down here or if I want to go off island."

Wago: "I want to use it to continue my education at HCC (Honolulu Community College). I'm pursuing auto mechanics."

Q. What are you looking forward to most as a court member?

Kupau: "Just to have fun and represent my culture."

Wago: "Going to and seeing new places."

Before the Aug. 7 investiture ceremony, court members went through two days of cultural training to properly portray the ancient ali'i.

They will preside over festival events including pageantry, parades, street parties, concerts and family activities that span six islands and six weeks in September and October.

Reach Zenaida Serrano Espanol at zespanol@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-8174.