Nanakuli school builds up 'ohana

By Will Hoover
Advertiser Leeward O'ahu Writer

NANAKULI — Organizers of the first 'Ohana Day at Nanaikapono Elementary School scrambled until the 11th hour to get things lined up for yesterday's program of parenting workshops and family activities.

"We finally got everything pulled together and ready to go at 6 o'clock last night," said school principal Myron Brumaghin.

Even as the event was getting under way, parent- involvement coordinator Stephanie Bellefeuille — who came up with the 'Ohana Day concept — hustled to make sure everything was in its proper place at the proper time.

"Is Dr. Terry Shintani here?" she rushed over to ask Brumaghin in anticipation of the nutrition expert's scheduled appearance. "He's supposed to give a presentation in five minutes."

"If he said he'd be here, he'll be here," Brumaghin assured her.

But for the more than 500 parents and students who had registered, everything seemed to come off more or less without a hitch.

"When we first came up with this idea two or three months ago, we crossed our fingers because we didn't know if we would have parents come out, especially on Saturday," Brumaghin said in his opening remarks to parents.

"Having seen you folks show up — along with our staff who are behind the counter over there, and the folks out here in registration, and the people from Kamehameha Schools — it kind of gives me goose bumps to see what can happen when everyone is working together."

'Ohana Day at the school was organized in partnership with the Kamehameha Schools.

"Our mission is to get positive family interaction," said Jodi Kropf, from Kamehameha Schools. "We have guest speakers and different organizations from the community here. Parents and children are here and they are going to be fun, interactive activities."

Those included dozens of workshops that featured bubble painting, feather lei making, origami, coconut weaving and card making — all for the kids. Parent workshops included genealogy, drug awareness, safety in the home and playful parenting.

The stated purpose of the exercise was "to strengthen our educational community by providing information and hands-on activities that will promote our 'ohana." Educators know the importance of good parenting in children's schooling.

As Brumaghin told the gathering, "We all know that what is critical to the education of kids is not just the school. We know that it's the parents as well, working with us, to make it happen."