I stayed for the  morning ‘oli when I took my daughter to school today. (She’s 6 and in kindergarten at Kamehameha Schools.) ‘Oli is when they all gather together — the kindergartners, first and second graders and their teachers — and chant to start their school day. 

At the beginning of the school year, I watched as Kumu Crabbe called up a second grade student to introduce him/herself, say a prayer and then lead a chant. I remember being so amazed at those small kids standing up there speaking so easily in front of 100+ people. 

I also remember thinking that I couldn’t imagine my daughter and the other kindergartners ever doing it — but then, they were so small, and new to school, and I thought, well, by the time they were in 2nd grade I guess they could. Maybe. Huh. 

And then last month a note came home that we needed to help our student write out their introduction of themselves and their prayer, because they would be the alaka‘i (leader) at ‘oli one day soon. What?! 

Today, it was my girl. We had written her thing at home one day and sent it back to school. I asked her if they were practicing it at school, she said no, and the control freak in me wigged out a little bit. 

But I guess they know what they are doing. These kids are doing great! None of them seem at all nervous about speaking in front of people. I guess there’s something to starting them out this young.

She read through her thing one time this morning in the classroom, before school started, and she looked at the paper and whispered it so softly I mostly had to read her lips.

But then at ‘oli, her voice rang out strong and I, standing off to the side, could hear every word. Some of it was in English and some in Hawaiian, and at the end she led the students in their chant: “Ku mai au he Hawai‘i - pā!” She did great!

“That was wonderful,” said Kumu Crabbe. “You were a wonderful alaka‘i.” She was. It was amazing to see. 

Mrs. Nihipali, my daughter’s teacher, told me that they’re preparing the kids because by the time they get to high school they lead the entire ‘oli. Not just one small part of it like they do at this age. I like that Kamehameha is preparing them to be so capable about speaking and leading like this.

There were a bunch of kupuna, Hawaiian elders, at the school this morning for some reason that I do not know, and they were at ‘oli too. The woman standing next to me had obviously never heard the kids chant. She told me, “Oh my goodness, chicken skin.” I know exactly what she means. It’s hard to put into words, but it’s powerful when these kids chant.

After she finished, Kumu Crabbe told my daughter to please go over and introduce her mom. She came over to me and wrapped herself around me and said, “This is my mom.” Then she went back to her place in line. 

I was really proud of her this morning.

(photo: Kamehameha Schools)