First-grader wins national award for poetry
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
A year ago, Cyrus Maunakea struggled with writing more than simple sentences.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Today, the 7-year-old is a published poet awaiting a Dell computer, part of the grand prize in Scholastic Instructor magazine's national poetry contest.
Author and teacher Lois-Ann Yamanaka works with 7-year-old Cyrus Maunakea, left, and his 5-year-old brother, Marcus, at Na'au writing school. Cyrus recently won a poetry contest and was published in Scholastic Instructor magazine. Marcus has also won a poetry award.
His poem, "The Bright Moon Flies Near the Cool Water," was printed on a poster included in last month's issue of Instructor, a magazine for elementary and intermediate school teachers.
He is also one of four national winners of the Paul A. Witty Literature Award, sponsored by the International Reading Association.
The Our Redeemer Lutheran School first-grader has seen his writing skills blossom at Na'au, a private writing school founded last year by author Lois-Ann Yamanaka and educator Melvin Spencer III.
Although still a new school, Na'au came from an old idea. Yamanaka and Spencer first conceived of it 22 years ago, while undergraduates at the University of Hawai'i. "We both loved writing and literature and we knew that our passion came from our gut, our na'au," Spencer said.
The stars glide The clouds bloom that my Tutu planted, as I water the puakenikeni. You tell me the story of how my Tutu loved these plants. all the stories Grandma Momi — Cyrus Maunakea
Na'au can mean other things: mind, heart, attitude, affections of the heart or mind, mood or feelings. "We teach all of our students that powerful writing comes from the na'au, not around it," Spencer said.
The Bright Moon Flies Near the Cool Water
with the planets.
like the pikake
the quiet wind praying
The rain listens as I remember
and Tutu tell me
about the flowers they both love.
Cyrus was invited to start writing classes when the school opened in February 2003. "Lois-Ann Yamanaka and I have known Cyrus his entire life. I have known his parents since we were children growing up at Kaumakapili Church," Spencer said. "I am also honored to be Cyrus' godfather. And when I thought Cyrus was old enough I asked his parents, Jan and Trevor, to make a commitment to his learning at Na'au."
Although they are not writers, the Maunakeas agreed.
"We have seen him grow, especially in school. He really enjoys being part of the class now," said Cyrus's mom, Jan Maunakea.
It wasn't that way for the first few months, though. "It was a struggle. His writing skills weren't that great," Jan said.
But these days Cyrus keeps a daily journal. "He loves writing. If he's asked to just write two sentences or four sentences, he writes a page and a half because he just enjoys writing," Jan said.
• What: Na'au, a place for learning and healing • Where: Nu'uanu Square, 23 S. Vineyard Blvd, Suite 304 • Information: visit www.yamanakanaau.com, call 548-NAAU, or e-mail yamanakanaau@aol.com.
Cyrus' brother Marcus, a kindergartner, joined Cyrus' writing class in November, and he has won a first-place award, too, in the statewide Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Poem contest.
At a glance
Na'au students — Marcus is the youngest, the oldest is a septuagenarian in Boston — have garnered 13 publications and almost 30 awards and honorable mentions.
About 30 of Na'au's 50 students are in elementary school. "We love our younger students," Spencer said. "Their na'au is not difficult to get to ... yet."
In addition to beginning readers and writers like Cyrus and Marcus, Yamanaka and Spencer also teach students with learning difficulties.
"We want to assist all people to be passionate about language arts. I believe Lois-Ann's son John-John, who is autistic and unable to express himself well, has a lot to do with why Lois-Ann and I have such a great desire to assist all — all — students to the best of their ability."
Although the school is almost filled to capacity, Spencer and Yamanaka have found spaces for all their young applicants with learning disabilities who have not been able to get into other learning centers.
"People have been so appreciative with our attempts to remediate when nothing else seems to work," Spencer said. "Lois-Ann has an amazing rapport with these children, who enjoy working with her very much."
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
