HYA 2024

by Kenzie Kahale-Alexander & Dustin Palos Papeʻete, Tahiti to Honolulu, Hawaiʻi As our time in Tahiti comes to a close, we reflect not only on the connections we’ve made during our time but also the connections we’ve held historically in ‘Ainamoana, specifically of the efforts of King Kalākaua to form the Polynesian Confederacy. With the…

by J. Kalawaiʻa Nunies Moʻorea Aloha nō mai kāua e kuʻu hoa heluhelu, e aloha ʻana aku au iā ʻoe me nā wai, nā limu a me nā manu ma Moʻorea: ʻo ia hoʻi ka nani o Maohi nui, na wai e ʻole kēlā? Aloha nō ʻia mākou e ua wai, makani, manu nei. ʻO…

by Aiponokamoku Valente Raiatea No ka nui ʻino o ka ʻīnea o ka poʻe Hawaiʻi i ka hiki ʻana mai ʻo ka poʻe Mikionali i Hawaiʻi nei e hū hewa ai ka hapa nui o ka poʻe “ʻo kēnā wahi poʻe hīkapalalē ʻē.”  Eia naʻe, ʻo ka ʻike e maopopo ʻole ai ka lehulehu ka…

by Chavella Kauhane Espinosa-Ramos (B.A. Political Science, Current MEdT Student) Raʻiātea Aloha kākou! Our huakaʻi brought us to Raiatea today, and it has been nothing short of inspiring. Day 4 of our Hawaiian Youths Abroad was dedicated to the legacy of Tupaia, the renowned navigator and arioi who played a pivotal role in bridging the…

by Alicia Nani Reyes Papenoo & Papeʻete, Tahiti For Hawaiian Youths Abroad 2024, we are staying in Papeete, the capital of Tahiti. Today, there are 12 foreign embassies and consulates in Tahiti, including the United States and Australia. I would like to share about another consulate which was the Hawaiian Kingdom.  The presence of the…

by Kuhi Leong Papenoʻo, Tahiti After traveling 2,627 miles from Hawaiʻi to Tahiti, it is finally Monday, July 1st. As we travel these unknown lands, I feel a familiar presence, one undisturbed by my inexperience. To uphold the beauty of this valley: I tread lightly, leaving nothing but a ghostly presence. Today, we return to…

by Mahealani Lujan and Kamakani Albano Tahiti Nui “A Moʻolelo of Remembrance”  Na Kamakani Albano I wake up this morning knowing the wombs I come from Papahānaumoku’s womb connects Tahiti to Kalihi A familiar taste on my mother tongue Papa’s breath grows from ʻulu leave Ia Ora Na, she greets High tides pulled by mahina…

by Kenzie Kahale-Alexander & Dustin Palos Honolulu, Hawaiʻi to Papeete, Tahiti “He aupuni palapala koʻu; o ke kanaka pono ʻoia koʻu kanaka,” spoken by Kamehameha III, marked a shift in education in the Hawaiian Kingdom. This ideology would lead the Hawaiian Kingdom to become one of the most literate nations in the world. In 1880…