H-1 Honu

News
April 2015
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Dates to Remember

April 9Music Performance; 1:00 Twigg-Smith; Class Tee shirt needed

April 27Field Trip: Kamananui Valley hike
April 29--Send in clothes for May Day
May 1--May Day; l:00 p.m. Hemmeter Gym
May 4 --No School; Professional Day

Luau

What an incredible luau we had! After working all week to get everything ready,
the students really enjoyed themselves on luau day. It was so wonderful to see
everyone working together toward one goal. The students really took charge--carrying
through with their assigned jobs as well as helping others. The value of laulima
(cooperation) was obvious throughout the week. Heres an idea of what we did each
day:
Monday, we had the job of washing sweet potatoes and kalo and digging up the
kalo and uala from our own patch in the courtyard. The kids loved digging in the soil
like mahiai (farmers) using the Hawaiian oo stick. On Tuesday, we husked and grated
coconuts with the help of some dads.The students loved sampling the coconut water
and eating fresh coconut. We grated lots of coconut which enabled us to make plenty
of coconut milk for our haupia. On Wednesday we had the sticky job of making paiai
(poi balls) from the taro. Not the most appetizing thing to look at but lots of fun to make!
We also made coconut milk for our haupia which we made on Thursday. That was a
favorite since everyone got a lick of the yummy haupia bowl. Also on Thursday we
made kulolo and laulau. The students LOVED mixing the kulolo (made with the paiai,
grated coconut, and brown sugar) with their hands.The laulau was a bit challenging to
do--no one wanted chicken blood on their hands! But the result was worth the effort.
We also washed our coconut frond plates and made a ti leaf lei to wear at the luau.

By Friday we were ready! Everyone had a job to do such as arranging food on

the platters or decorating outside of the Winne office where we ate. The pig (210
pounds) came out of the imu under our watchful eyes. We had the best seats in the
house for that! While the students had a brief recess, the adults shredded the pig.
(The meat literally fell off the bones!) Before the feast, Chaplain Mederios lead us all in
prayer and mele. We had much to be thankful for. Finally...time to eat and enjoy. Lots
of food, lots of fun, lots of memories! For some students it was the first time eating
Hawaiian food. But because they had a hand in preparing all the food, I think most
students tried everything--from dried fish to kulolo to laulau. They even got to eat with
their fingers in true old style! Everything was so ono!
That wasnt the end--bring on the Makahiki! Mr. Smith set up Middle Field with
Hawaiian games for us to play. Makahiki ended with a hukihuki-- tug of war-- between
the classes. We had so much fun! It was a contest between Na Honu and Mrs. Wong's
class. But we won! Lots of muscle in our class! When the day ended we were
thoroughly exhausted. It took me two days to recover!!
The luau would not have been possible without you. Your support was
incredible! Thank you so much. From stripping coconut fronds to making poi balls
(paiai) and chicken laulau, parents were there to help me and the students. I was
especially grateful to all the brave parents who needed to learn how to do something
before working with the students. Thats a bit scary, I know, but you all came through
with flying colors. Making kulolo without knowing what kulolo is, weaving coconut frond
plates, husking coconuts--you all did an excellent job!!
My sincere mahalo to ALL of you for the donations, leis, flowers, and support.
Luau was truly a memorable time for all the students. They learned so much more than
just how to have a luau or what a luau was like long ago. They learned the value of
hard work, patience, cooperation, and team work. They learned a lot about themselves,
too. Luau is one of those Punahou experiences they will never forget.
Punahou's video department was there all week documenting the luau for us.
An order form was sent home Monday. I also took loads of pictures which will be on Na
Honus website shortly. You might want to check it out over the weekend with your child
sitting next to you to explain everything!! We are in the process of making a luau book
on our Ipads as a souvenier of the week, too.

In The Classroom

Despite all the luau preparation, the students kept up with their other studies. We
finished reading the novel Call It Courage. The class loved that book! This week the
students are creating a board game connected to the book. It takes planning, creativity
and working together. Like I mentioned above, we are writing a book about luau and will
be continuing with other projects such doing a plant poster and finishing our palaie, a
Hawaiian game. In math we are working on Topic Nine on division. Next week we will
work on Wordly Wise and start a plant poster on a Hawaiian plant, too.
We have one field trip this month which is a hike in Kamananui Valley on
Monday, April 27. Kamananui Valley is the valley to the left of Moanalua valley. We will
be learning about the impact of humans on the environment as we hike with Kumu
Leong. At one point in the valley we will come across a HUGE boulder with many
petroglyphs on it. It 's really cool! The field trip is an all day affair. Your child needs to be
in school by 7:45 that day with the usual field trip items. I will send a reminder home
before we go for both trips.
One thing that's right around the corner is Dr. Drozd's Music Performance on
Wednesday, Aprill 9. That's next week! The students will be sharing songs and dances
that they have been learning all year. Please have your child wear shorts that day (any
color) and their class tee shirt. Also, Dr. Drozd requests that there be no videoing or
flash photography. She promised the individuals who so generously shared their
traditional songs and dances with her that there would be no videotaping of the
performance. Stills are fine, however.

One Important Note

Starting this month I am giving the students the option of logging what they read
every night. They are not required to log but they still are required to read. Some
students like to keep track of what they've read so they may continue to log if they want.
But I will no longer check their logs nor collect them. Please remind them to read, read,
read AT LEAST 20 minutes a night.

May Day

We started learning our May Day hula in March. Youre going to love it! The May
Day program for grades 3-5 is on Friday, May 1 at 1:00. Please send in your childs
blue third grade shirt and navy blue or blue jeans shorts by April 29th so that it will be
here for May Day. Dont forget to write your childs name on the shirt. A reminder on

what to wear will be sent home later this month. You are invited back to the classroom
courtyard to take photos of your child after the shows. You may take your child home
after the show. Mahalo.
That's all for now!! A hui hou !!

Mahalo For Making Luau Such a

Memorable Experience For the
Children!