MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Parents gathered at Mokapu Elementary School on a bright, sunny day, May 13, 2015, to see their children partake in a local Hawaii tradition filled with flowers, song and dance: May Day.
For the first time, the entire school participated in the program, since May Day was revived at Mokapu several years ago by former Principal Keoni Wilhelm.
“I think it’s very important to highlight the Hawaiian culture,” said Mokapu Principal Chuck Fradley. “We have so many students from the mainland and moving to Hawaii is a very big adjustment for them. Even if it’s a part of the United States, it’s a very unique culture, and we take it upon ourselves to share that culture with our students while they’re here; enjoy it, learn it and take a little bit of aloha when they leave.”
This is the first May Day celebration for Fradley, who is originally from Florida.
He said being able to synchronize a performance with more than 100 children has been challenging but amazing.
“The kids have been working so hard,” he said.
In the field behind the campus, the program began with students blowing into conch shells, and the fourth grade performing an oli, or a chant, called “E Ho Mai.”
After a playing of the national anthem and “Hawaii Ponoi,” the Junior Police Officers performed a drill demonstration and Fradley made remarks. Then members of Mokapu’s May Day Court took their places in the front of the program.
The court was made up of 18 boys and girls; one boy and one girl representing each Hawaiian island, as well as a king and queen. Each prince and princess wore matching colors for their respective island.
Students were chosen for the court based on their academic performance and behavior at school. This year’s king was sixth grader Kai Stagg, and queen was sixth grader Leila Johnson. Johnson’s father crowned her, and her mother presented her with a lei during the celebration.
Adrianne Vincent, the May Day committee chairperson, said she was grateful for everyone’s support and hard work for the event.
“Everyone did an amazing job,” she said. “It makes me proud of Mokapu for valuing the Hawaiian culture, which for many of us from the islands is very important. We hope to spread education about our islands and share our aloha with everyone, whether they are here for a short term or for the rest of their life.”
Each of the grades, including pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes, performed a hula for the crowd. The children were dressed in muumuus, dresses, aloha shirts and shorts. Some were adorned with leis around their necks, or haku leis on their heads.
Last, but not least, the faculty and staff of Mokapu Elementary, beaming with smiles, danced to “He Ui.”
It was the new principal’s first time performing hula, joining the rest of the faculty and staff as they did the final performance of the day.
“It’s a very moving experience,” Fradley said of dancing hula. “It tells a story and you really want to make sure you get the story right. It’s very graceful. I respect those individuals (who) are able to do the hula appropriately and correctly. We do have staff members that can convey that feeling of storytelling.”