Unity, agreement, accord, unison, harmony (Pukui-Elbert)
To be alike; to be agreed; to be of one mind; to be in union or unison (Andrews)
Agreement in mind; unanimity of sentiment; union of feeling; oneness; similarity. (Parker)
What might a former enslaved person from Schenectady, New York, have in common with our community partner Mark Stride, the mahiʻai of ʻĀina Aloha o na Lima Hana (Luluku)? It might be hard to imagine, given two centuries separates their lives. Further, their roots sprout from opposite sides of the world. Yet, the two are unified in at least one significant way. They both share a love of Hawai’i, dedicated to its sustainability.
Anthony D. Allen escaped captivity in 1800 at the age of 24, cautiously following the underground railway from New York to Massachusetts, a free state. He found work in Boston as a ship’s steward, sailing to ports as far away as China, India and France. Though work on the open ocean offered a sense of freedom, once docked he knew this was an illusion. Six years after fleeing, he happened to run into his former captor at a southern seaport who imprisoned him as a runaway. Fortunately, Allen’s ship captain paid for his freedom and allowed him to work off the debt within a year.
In 1810 or 1811, Allen visited Hawaiʻi for the first time and decided to stay where he could assuredly remain free. He became a steward to King Kamehameha the Great and for his service granted stewardship of 6 acres of land in Pawa’a, where Washington Intermediate now stands. Allen eventually married two Native Hawaiian wahine and bore children. There, they established a school, a hospital, a boarding house and the first bowling alley and first commercial dairy in the islands. Allen also initiated and oversaw the construction of one of the first paved roads in Hawaiʻi, Punahou Street and Manoa Road. Beyond industrious, visitors and neighbors alike describe Allen as “honorable, congenial, generous, respectable, and gracious.” After his passing, he was remembered for his “pattern of industry and perseverance, and of care for the education of his children.” Source.
As I reflect upon my experiences partnering with Mark Stride, I might describe him is very similar terms. Like Allen, Stride ancestors hail from other parts of the world, yet he possesses a great love for this ʻāina. He once reminded me that the education comes secondary to caring for the land – without the land, we have nothing. Like Allen, Stride and his family suffered the trauma of being oppressed and displaced. Stride’s ʻohana were evicted from their home and the farm they cared for over generations to make way for the construction of the H-3. Like Allen, Stride found a new purpose as he worked to restore the wrongs caused by this traumatic event, bringing together the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Department of Transportation, the current landowner, and community groups to restore the sacred loʻi lying dormant in the shadows of the H-3 overpass. Always generous, respectful, honorable, congenial and gracious, Stride and his ʻohana are honored, beloved partners in educating our students. This is their lōkahi. This is our lōkahi.
To be Lōkahi, remember that
- Below the surface of our differences, we are connected by similar values, beliefs, and stories;
- To find these connections, we must be haʻahaʻa and empty ourselves of judgement; and
- Ask questions, be curious, and start with the connections you fnd.
5 PURSUITS of LŌKAHI:
Inspired by Gholdy Muhammad
Please watch this: Firebird read by the author Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers. Then with you child, answer the following:
IDENTITY: The author shares her lōkahi story – humble beginnings and hard, dedicated practice – with the young dancer. What is something you aspire towards and are working hard to accomplish?
SKILLS: Different from simile in that the words “like” or “as” are not used, the author uses metaphor to describe the character’s dress and personal characteristics – i.e. “the fireworks of costumes,” “a dreaming shooting star of a girl” Try using a metaphor to describe something you see.
INTELLECT: In 2015, the author made history by becoming the first African American Female Principal Dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. Can you name other African Americans that recently made history becoming one of the first in their field? What obstacles did/do people of African American descent face that has delayed their accomplishing these milestones?
CRITICALITY: How can you help others who are facing obstacles based on race or other forms of discrimination?
JOY:The author asked, “What advice would you give to someone to encourage them not to give up?” Your challenge for this week is to share that “advice” with someone.
HOʻOMAIKAʻI
- Recently, the Windward District held it’s annual Science and Engineering Fair. We celebrate all students who created projects, employing the scientific process and engineering design. We are especially proud of two of our students, Miya Karikomi and Mia Stringfield, who achieved Best in Category for Engineering Technology: Statics and Dynamics, besting even 7th and 8th graders. Along with this distinction, both advance to the State Fair where they will represent the entire Windward District. Congratulations Mia and Miya! A shout-out also goes to Kāneʻohe alumni, Ethan Kang and Michael Quinn who won awards at the fair. Awesome job!
- Kāneʻohe alumnus and US Representative Jill Tokuda was back home to celebrate her becoming an official member of Congress. Fellow Menehune and members of the Castle Alumni Community Association gathered last Friday to be a part of her swearing in ceremony. An alumnus of King and Castle, Tokuda is the first congressional member to graduate from the Windward side.
MAHALO NUI LOA
- Mahalo to the students and their ʻohana who braved the storm last week Thursday and participated in our first in-person STEM Night. Thanks goes to our community partner, the American Society of Civil Engineers at UH Manoa, who facilitated a tower building contest where all were challenged to think strategically and creatively to build the tallest, strongest tower out of marshmallows and spaghetti. A huge thank you goes to our STEM Resource Teacher, Karen Kimura, and Parent & Community Network Coordinator, Dee Fujinaka, who organized this fun family event.
UPCOMING EVENTS
| Thur, Feb 23, 2023 | Kindergarten Preview Night for Incoming/Prospective Kindergartners in SY 2023-24 | |
| Fri, Feb 24, 2023 | Engineering Field Day | |
| Mon, Feb 27, 2023 | KES Ohana Mtg – details TBA | |
| Wed, Mar 1, 2023 | Initial deadline to submit Kindergarten GEs | |
| Fri, Mar 10, 2023 | Color Run! | |
| Fri, Mar 10, 2023 | School Quality Survey deadline |