PHOTOS: Hirono Attends Kaimuki High School Festival Celebrating People & Cultures of Cambodia, Palau, and Hawaii

HONOLULU, HI –Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) visited her alma mater, Kaimuki High School, to attend the school’s first “HA: Breath of Kaimuki” festival and meet students and staff. The festival was a celebration of the people, history, art, music, and cultures of Cambodia, Palau, and Hawaii. 

“As a proud Kaimuki High School graduate, I am glad to see Kaimuki highlighting the diversity of its student body with this inaugural event,” said Senator Hirono. “It was great to see staff members, and others from the community, interacting with and teaching the students about various aspects of their cultures. I enjoyed visiting my alma mater and getting to know some of the students—they represent the future of Hawaii. I will continue to support our public school students across Hawaii in the classroom and throughout their lives and careers.” 

The Senator participated in five different learning sessions with the students—she learned about preparing ingredients to make different Hawaiian, Palauan, and Cambodian dishes, and also practiced her lei making. 

Kaimuki High School hosted the event in partnership with the Asia Pacific Dance Festival, a production of the East-West Center Arts Program and the University of Hawaii Outreach College. The festival also addressed Na Hopena A‘o (HA), a Hawaii Department of Education framework to develop the skills, behaviors and dispositions that are reminiscent of Hawaii’s unique context, and to honor the qualities and values of the indigenous language and culture of Hawaii. 

Photos of the Senator’s visit can be found here

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