Middle school students return to interactive displays

PUHI — Chiefess Kamakahele Middle School celebrated its 20th anniversary with a welcome-back assembly for the students Tuesday.

Steve Soltysik, who traveled three legs with Holule‘a in 1996 and 1997, gave a presentation on the voyaging canoe and its significance.

Soltysik emphasized principles that call for caring for family and earth.

“These lessons go further than the canoe,” he said.

Kamehameha Schools staff was on campus near the band room. They got creative at their station, teaching students how to make kukui toppers.

If you followed the citrus roar, you found a team of passionate people teaching students about eating healthy.

“I was teaching the kids about the importance of growing, cooking and eating locally grown foods,” said Farm to Keiki spokeswoman Tiana Kamen.

Every station had a lesson or fun activity for the students, to build curiosity and give them hands-on experience.

Creative students whipped up recipes, too, “that could possibly be served for lunch one day,” Kamen said. “Maybe the DOE can try to serve one of their recipes.”

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Stephanie Shinno, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.