Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi - Piki Hayward

Piki Hayward

Kumu Mākau’ōlelo Papa 7-12 ma Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikaimalino 

Keāhole, Kalaoa, Moku o Keawe/Hawai’i Mokupuni 

Ho’omaka mua akula au i ke a’o ma ka Pūnana Leo ‘o Hilo ma kona wā ma Kino’ole no kekahi mau makahiki pōkole. A laila, lilo akula i kumu Mākaukino ma Nāwahī no nā Papa Mālaa’o a i ka Papa Alaka’i. Ma ka makahiki 2003, ne’e akula i Kona a lilo i kumu Mākau’ōlelo Hawai’i no nā papa 7-12 a hiki i kēia manawa.

I first began teaching at Pūnana Leo ʻo Hilo for a few short years when it was on Kino'ole Street. Then, I became a physical education teacher in Nāwahī for the kindergarten classes to the seniors. In 2003, I moved to Kona and became a Hawaiian language teacher for grades 7-12, as I remain until today.

‘Auamo ihola au i kēia kuleana kumu ma muli o ka’u i ‘ike maka ai ia’u he haumāna ma ka lumi papa mai ka’u mau kumu kulanui mai. Ahuwale nō ke aloha ‘ōlelo ‘ana a me ka mo’omeheu ‘ana o lākou ma nā ‘ano a pau i kēlā lā kēia lā. A laila, komo maila ka mana’o i loko o’u aia nō a puka au me ka palapala me ia ‘ike Hawai’i, he lālā au no ku’u kumu a he pono ke a’o aku i kō ke ō ‘ana o ia mau ‘ike. Ma kēia kumu ‘ana aku, makemake pū au e maika’i ka’u mau lālā (haumāna ho’i) ma ke a’o ‘ia mai a lilo lākou ‘o lākou he kumu ma hope mai me ke a’o pū aku i nā hanauna i ia ‘ike ho’okahi nō. ‘O ia ke kumu a’u i ‘auamo ai i kēia kuleana kumu.

I took this responsibility as a teacher because of what I saw myself as a student in the classroom from my university teachers. The love of their language and culture in all aspects was readily apparent every day. Then, I realized that if I graduated with a certificate in Hawaiian Studies, I am a branch of my teacher and I should share what I learned so it would carry on. In teaching, I also want my branches (students) to be good so that they will become teachers and impart to future generations this same knowledge. That's why I took this on responsibility.