Speaking of Peace
Ka'u HS students give voice to the heart

by John Lyle

Though Sandberg and Longfellow aren't the usual fare today, the magic of poetry is alive. Home-grown performance poetry took center stage at "The Grand Slam Poetic: Speaking of Peace" at Ka'u High School recently. School hallways were buzzing. Poets were nervous and afraid. Many, including adults, weren't quite sure what to expect.
This wasn't a competitive slam; there were no judges, winners or losers. Yet the act of standing in front of scores of classmates and revealing one's greatest hopes and fears, or simply busting a witty little ditty, carried a measure of risk. Nobody knew how it would all unfold. It was all part of the magic and the excitement of live poetry.
Speaking of Peace was conceived by Catherine Kennedy of Volcano, with grant from the Hawai'i People's Fund. Kennedy teamed up with Ka'u HS English/Drama teacher Jym Duncan, who toured Hawai'i for eleven years for the Artists-in-the Schools Program.
It started last November, with a visit from O'ahu poet Kealoha (slammaster/MC at Honolulu's monthly First Friday poetry slam).
"It was a natural progression," Kennedy said. "The pieces fit together nicely... a succession of visiting artists all building on a common foundation."
Two weeks later, O'ahu-based performing artist Christian Ellauri (better known in Hawai'i poetry circles as "See") showed up to work with the Ka'u students. He acted as overall taskmaster and mentor to the students, and MC on performance day. Kamehameha Schools/Kea'au English teacher Clint Anderson, and one of his students, Jace Saplan, got involved early on. Actor Jason Scott Lee worked with students on connecting with the feelings they were trying to express themselves onstage-as well as the practical skill of properly using a mic.
Kennedy believes that young people-indeed, all people-are empowered when they express themselves precisely and passionately.
"It can lead to success in important areas of their lives, like school, jobs and relationships," she says. "Many people want to live in a society where people enrich each other by sharing, and what better way to do that than through art, music and writing."
Kennedy also realized the slam would be a stimulating learning experience and good fun. She convinced the charismatic See to sign on.
See's own life reflects a rich cultural tapestry: his mother's from Costa Rica and his father from Uruguay. He grew up in DC and did theatre in South Carolina before moving to Hawai'i. On O'ahu he wrote and directed two theatre pieces: Chase, starring Kealoha, and Jaguar Priests, which later presented at the Hip-Hop Theatre Festival in his hometown.
"Young people can speak to disrespect, violence and abuse, and stop it. They can speak to love and understanding, and grow it. They are powerful voices for the vision of a community," he said. "Face it: many young people are working through difficult things. When they articulate their dark and bright sides, especially in front of their peers, it helps them discover peace in their heart."
See reinforced several things to the crowd of 200: "Let's give everyone the safety to put a voice to all that you are, all that's inside you. It's your life, your body, your story. Vulnerability is strength."
"I challenge all you Ka'u ears and hearts to get beyond the fear; get beyond the shaking," said musician, poet and UH-Hilo student advisor Kurt Dela Cruz (Ka'u HS, class of '87). "Feel the strength of the words coming through these brothers and sisters today. This right here is poetry. This right here is medicine. So open your mouth and let the sister out. Open your mouth and let the brother out."
After an extended silence, the first brave student approached the mic and let it flow. One by one, over 30 students stepped up and shared feelings and situations that were heartfelt, raw and edgy. They spat, busted, and slammed poems about the heartache of betrayal; the pain of a lost loved one; the importance of love from parents and family; confusion over one's purpose in life.
Woven through the poems were universal needs of understanding and connection, love and safety, freedom and discovery, hope and peace. Emotions were strong and there were tears. The expressions on faces of students evidenced empowerment as well as gratitude and humility. They got support from teachers, friends and peers as they stood in front of the large crowd.
"Today may be the first time many of you have gone up to the mic," Dela Cruz told them. "Thank you for coming forward and doing the things you do, because you uplifted all of us cuzzins, even the ones who can't say what they really want to say. You were talking for them today."
"To have gotten from initial concept to final performance was a huge leap. Many of these students had never read their writing in front of groups before. Some had never even written poetry before," said teacher Duncan. "Everyone had an important part."
Staff and administrators saw hidden aspects of their students. Many shy students were empowered. Others may have been humbled as they witnessed the vulnerability of their classmates and the sensitivity expressed in their writing.
"It was inspiring for me, and it was great because we did some new kind of thing," said one student.
Grammy-winning slack key artist Keoki Kahumoku, another observer, praised on the students' courage.
Kennedy noted that people sometimes characterize a school as "good" or "bad" based on things like athletics or standardized test scores, but that may be simplistic or short- sighted.
"We often forget that there are other ways to shine," she said. "All our schools are filled with interesting, thoughtful and passionate young people who have some very interesting things to say-if we'd only listen to them."
On this day, people were listening.

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