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Praise be, the Kenon Kahoano Graduation Party Committee is officially, happily, wearily, let’s-think-twice-before-we-ever- do-this-again-ily released from duty.
The grad party — organized by Kahoano’s parents and godparents (classmates at Kamehameha Schools) and realized through a vast network of friends, family and friends and family of friends and family — was held Friday and was, by all accounts, a blast.
More than that, though, it was a lesson, presented with love to young Kahoano by his elders, about the way things are done here.
"The whole point is to gather together friends and family to do the work, spend time together and reinforce relationships," Derek Mar said. "It’s a way to acknowledge the support network that got Kenon to the point he’s at right now."
Mar and fellow godparents Julie Harada, Brandon Wong and (full disclosure: my wife) Tiffany Ing started planning the party with Kahoano’s parents last year.
In the ensuing months the group picked out a well-fed if unfortunate 500-pound pig at a local piggery, prepped and wrapped some 300 miniature laulau, smoked meat for pipikaula, chopped kiawe for firewood, dug an imu and attended to dozens of other tasks big and small.
Some flew to Hawaii island, home of the Kahoanos’ classmate Rhona Lee and husband Rodney. There they hooked some 120 pounds of menpachi.
"This was a big accomplishment for Kenon, so Derek and everyone wanted to come together for this common goal," said mom Shannon Kahoano. "We had friends we hadn’t seen in years come out of the woodwork to help."
The significance of it all wasn’t lost on Kenon Kahoano or his friends, who worked side by side with their elders to make the party happen.
"I had a lot of new experiences," Kahoano said. "I met a lot of aunties and uncles I hadn’t met before. I’d never cleaned a fish before!"
Kahoano, who will attend Oregon State University this fall, won’t have to wait long to use his newfound skill.
His sister Khaliah graduates next year.
Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com.
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COURTESY JOY GABONIA