Mokapu Elementary celebrates May Day

Photo By Cpl. Zachary Orr | Students from Mokapu Elementary School dress in color code to represent the different islands of Hawaii during the school’s May Day celebration, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, May 25, 2018. May Day, which is also known as Lei Day, is a Hawaiian public holiday celebrated on May 1st every year, but was postponed due to student testing. Mokapu Elementary School's May Day includes the students performing traditional dances, singing of songs to celebrate Hawaiian culture with families and friends. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Zachary Orr)  

MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, UNITED STATES

05.25.2018

Story by Sgt. Zachary Orr 

Marine Corps Base Hawaii

From the roads on Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH), families and friends could be seen gathering at the playground of Mokapu Elementary School.
On May 25, 2018, students partook in a local Hawaiian tradition filled with flowers, dances and songs: May Day.
“The tradition of May Day was to celebrate Lei making in Hawaii,” said Debra Saggers, the school’s music teacher. “It started in the 1920’s, and as the years progressed, it became an opportunity to celebrate Hawaiian culture through song and dance.”
May Day is celebrated on May 1st but due to testing, the school pushed the celebration to the 25th.
“It takes a lot of time to plan, practice and prepare the students without interfering with testing,” said Saggers. “Beginning January, I started teaching the students their dances.”
Tricia Adams, the school’s vice principal, says this is the sixth year they’ve done the event, teaching the kids about Hawaiian traditions.
“They love it,” said Adams. “They love learning the hula, listening to the music and the showcase. They just glow, especially after showing their parents what they learned about being in the great state of Hawaii.”
Adams says that the school tries different things to immerse the students in the culture of Hawaii.
“We reached out to 3rd Marine Regiment and Marine Corps Community Services to get bleachers, tents and chairs,” said Principal Paloma Almanza. This event could never happen without the help from the base and our regiment partners.”
Almanza says she hopes each year to draw more families and base community people to the program.
“I want them to see our talented students,” Almanza said. “They also will be able to come enjoy Hawaii and its culture.”

• Date Taken: 05.25.2018
• Date Posted: 05.31.2018 22:02
• Story ID: 279096
• Location: MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI, US