Education and awareness stand at the forefront in a world where preserving culture is paramount. “I think it’s education and awareness,” shares Kumu Kawika Mersberg, Saint Louis’ Hawaiian Studies Department Chair, encapsulating the essence of this year’s Native Hawaiian Convention on the Big Island.
Hawaiian Studies teachers Kumu Kawika Mersberg and Kumu Kaipo Leopoldino and their students recently traveled to Hawai’i island to participate in the 2024 Native Hawaiian Convention. The annual convention, sponsored by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, allows people from all over the pae ‘āina (the State of Hawai’i) to come together and “strengthen pilina amongst our community,” shares Leopoldino, “to figure out different ways [to] bring together different people in which we can address the advancement of Native Hawaiians.” For educators and their students, the convention provides the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement the opportunity to create a platform for dialogue about important issues impacting the Hawaiian community.
Leopoldino had the opportunity to introduce Kumu Hula. As part of the convention, students from Hui O Nā ‘Ōpio, the Saint Louis men’s hālau led by Mersberg, participated along with four other Saint Louis School students. Among these students, Ka Lamakū member Jestyn Henohea Kahanu gained valuable insights from attending several breakout sessions at the ‘Aha ‘Ōpio Conference, focused on the younger generation of Native Hawaiians. “Being there helped me understand why we are the way we are and why we are fighting for multiple things,” stated Kahanu. Although the convention was the primary focus, the students also enjoyed a field trip around the island, visiting historical sites such as the home of King Kamehameha the Great.
Students participated in multiple activities in the ‘Aha ‘Ōpio Conference, a student-based part of the convention. One of the sessions asks students to identify the sea creature they relate to the most by pointing out specific traits of each creature and seeing if the student’s traits match. Students and teachers also had the opportunity to collaborate. “I had an opportunity…to meet some people from the island of Maui…[and] connect with people from O’ahu who I didn’t know…and exchange phone numbers,” says Mersberg. The general purpose of the ‘Aha ‘Ōpio Conference was to give the students “an opportunity to share their voices…,” notes Mersberg, “[to] talk about issues that affect them as young people in Hawai’i.” In addition, Kahanu explained that this was an opportunity “to address the accomplishments they have made, problems they’re addressing, and teaching people about the culture.” “ If we’re going to talk about Saint Louis being a place where boys who want to change the world become men who do,” shares Leopoldino, “we need to start exposing our young men to all of these different things as soon as possible.”
The Native Hawaiian Convention allows people from across the State to increase their cultural awareness as Native Hawaiians. Not only does this allow for growth within the culture, but most importantly, it ensures that the traditions and culture continue to thrive in the Native Hawaiian community of tomorrow. “They need to be exposed to it as early as possible…” shares Leopoldino, “…my generation, and the generation above me, they’re not going to be alive forever.”
The Native Hawaiian Convention ensures that students continue to uphold their traditions. After the convention, students left with a deeper understanding of Hawaiian culture, inspiring hope within the Native Hawaiian community for the preservation of their heritage. When asked how he plans to continue the culture, Kahanu said, “By living it and doing it as I do already.”
