Sheryl Noethe teaching poetry and learning hula...
It was a wildly exciting week for this visitor from Missoula, Montana to Halau Lokahi School in Honolulu, Hawai'i in April of 2009. First I attended a workshop where we visited the Palau Marsh to observe reclamation efforts and to see the sea birds gathering and nesting. Led by 87-year-old Goro Arakawa, we climbed a landfill and looked at photos and maps of history and the changes that have come over the years.
Next I learned hula with Kumu Hina, and I tried to follow the steps of the girls who move with such grace, the ocean waves in their hips.
Then I worked with the 1st and 2nd grades, writing poetry about "What I Love Most," and we studied sign language, with magnificent results. A teacher from Likelike Elementary School came to observe, so that she can do the same teaching in her classes. Takiora Ingram, Director of the Pacific Writers' Connection, came to discuss the progress of the program and showed me the anthologies Erin Nagasawa worked so hard to create with great skill and beauty. The fifth and sixth graders wrote about "My Soul" and, led by Kumu June, illustrated their lovely words. A couple of examples: "My soul walks on four legs," and "Clouds flood the sky." Because the work of poetry is to create new, never-before said ideas, this was a great success. Throughout all my classes Kumu June was there to set the children to making art and illustrations, and to encourage them to keep trying, to keep improving.
Friday was May Day, and we went after protocol to the park where Kumu Hina performed her prize-winning, celebrated hula. Kumu Adeline's students worked with sign language, and then we watched the performances. That evening we visited art galleries to hear fabulous singing and music. Our students exhibited their artwork and sang on stage with Kumu Tymmie, whose voice filled the room with power and beauty, and her excellent band thrilled us all.
The Kumus at Halau Lokahi are all so accepting, appreciative, and willing to teach and share. This was one of the most wondrous weeks of my life. Thanks to the Pacific Writers' Connection in this collaboration, as well as Halau Lokahi Charter School in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and thanks to the National Endowment for the Arts for making it possible.
-- Sheryl Noethe
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