Alana Laanui age 14 Maryknoll School Honolulu, Hawaii
‘O Hawai’I ku’u kulaiwi ( Hawaii is my native land) I am from my ancestor’s foundation Who helped to create this nation I’m from all reaches of the earth But I only know my place of birth ‘O Hawai’I ku’u kulaiwi ( Hawaii is my native land) I am from the sand beneath my feet And the suns great heat From spam Musubis on the beach To listening what my elders teach I ulu no ka la(u)la I ke kumu (with out our ancestors we will not be here) I’m from aloha aunty and uncle To welcome Mr. and Mrs. From the beliefs of immersion and conversion Ke kuleana o ka ‘oiwe (The responsibility of the native person ) ‘O ka ‘I ma kana ‘olelo (To declare in their native tongue) I am from a mixed plate From Hawaii to the Philippines I think all ten of my nationalities are great But Hawaii is where I connect to the people, the land, and myself Ku’u home kulaiwi nei Oli’ no au ina pono lani ou (I rejoice in the heavenly blessings of you) E Hawaii aloha e (O beloved Hawaii)
WHERE I’M FROM: POWERFUL POEMS BY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS | page 17 Copyright 2010 What Kids Can Do, Inc. (WKCD)