Cathedral Catholic Academy in Nuuanu celebrated May Day with chants and songs honoring Molokai’s two saints —Damien de Veuster and Marianne Cope.
The program has enhanced by the beautiful floral arrangements of parent Jill Easely, and a backdrop of a Molokai scene rendered by first grade assistant Wilma Souza and transformed into a wall-size quilt by parents Stacey Valentine Hewett and Hilda Valentine, who also sewed many of the costumes.
Photographs of St. Damien and St. Marianne hung on each side of the quilt.
Baron Kaho‘ola Ching opened the program with a traditional chant, which was followed by moving stories of the two saints narrated by May Day coordinator Angie Taylor and embellished with a slide presentation by computer teacher Penny Yu.
The children sang “Kamiano Aloha” and “Maliaana Maikai,” Robert Mondoy compositions for Father Damien and Mother Marianne respectively.
Another parent, Healani Sonoda-Pale, shared the story of how, years ago, members of her family gave Father Damien land for one of the many churches he built. Sonoda-Pale helped choreograph the seventh grade’s presentation of Father Damien’s plea for the land.
The beauty of the May Day celebration shined in the beautiful voices of the children and their colorful costumes, delightful dances and happy faces. Teaching them the tunes of Molokai were parent Lehua Kalima and grandparent Joseph Winchester.
The student May Day king and queen were John Tasaka and Joanne Nguyen, who were attended by a royal court representing each island in their respective colors.
Assisting Taylor in coordinating the program was Kalani Zarko plus many dedicated teachers, parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles.