Education Committee Plans Fall Course

E Mele Kakou instructors (l to r) Van Diamond, Gary Kanada and Nalani Olds with program developers and coordinators Gail Mukaihata Hannemann and Noelani Mahoe.

E Mele Kakou (we sing) will begin at Hanahauoli School in the Fall semester. "It's perfect timing", said Bob Peters, the school's Principal. In September and October, the 4th and 5th graders, together, will study the Hawaiian monarchy. He said "the pilot course will serve to expand the students' musical understanding of this important period of Hawaiian history."

Hall of Fame Director John Derby, who chairs the Education Committee, said that the committee has already evaluated the Hawaiian music history and performance pilot which completed at Princess Kaiulani School last December. Meetings throughout the Spring and Summer are concentrated on developing curriculum based on what worked well and should be expanded; what can be eliminated as unnecessary.

Gail Mukaihata Hannemann and Noelani Mahoe, will continue under contract to Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame to develop both the student program and a teaching guide for school music educators.

"The most important thing to teach is the spirit of the music," they said. "At Kaiulani School, the kids got it, the lights went on."

Chairman Derby stated that the committee will seek further Grant funding, as needed, to continue this important program.