Although we are most familiar with ÿölelo noÿeau that have been passed down by kupuna over the generations, there are times when penning a new ÿölelo noÿeau is warranted. Maybe because it marks a specific event or person, perhaps it involves new technologies not around when during the time of our kupuna or maybe we have just not yet found it.
Such is the case with this ÿölelo noÿeau “Welo haÿaheo me he kähili koaÿe lä”
Fly proud like a koaÿa feather standard
Like the previous post in this category Nä Mamo a Ke Kipi, this ÿölelo noÿeau is used to describe the characteristics of a class of the Kamehameha Schools.
Kamehameha Schools Hawai‘i’s class of 2012 has been described as genuine, loyal, cohesive, respectful, playful, athletic, pathfinders, visionaries, expressive, and talented. It is with these characteristics in mind that the name Kähili Koa‘e was decided upon as the name for the class of 2012.
The kähili a symbol of royalty and nobility, like the banners of feudal kingdoms around the world, announced the presence of an ali‘i. The class of 2012 holds themselves to such high expectations that their peers, their teachers, and their families admire them. The respect they have shown and receive is genuine and noble. Two thousand and twelve marks the 125th anniversary of the Kamehameha Schools, as a part of the combined quasquicentennial class of 2012 of Kamehameha Schools the metaphor of a kähili is used to honor Pauahi.
The koa‘e also called the tropicbird is a seabird that nest high on inaccessible cliffs. The koa‘e are known to hunt out at sea far from land, but will always return to their nest. These loyal birds choose lifelong mates and lay just one egg per season. Both parents incubate this solitary egg and after hatching both parents share the responsibility of feeding and brooding. These characteristics of the koa‘e are shared also with the class of 2012 as they are a visionary class that sets the path for the future. While hunting the koa‘e will rapidly flap their wings to gain momentum, then glide above the ocean as they search for fish. The hunt culminates in the sudden plunge into the sea to capture their meal. This athleticism is also a characteristic shared by the class of 2012.
The tail feathers of the koa‘e are high prized for kähili as each bird has but two tail feathers and their nest are in difficult to reach clifffaces. The art to bind the feathers of the koa‘e into a kähili represents the cohesiveness of this class as well as the way they express their talents.