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2. In class, discuss the story of King Kamehamehas life. This can be broken up over the
week as students read and finish with a discussion of his complete story on the day of the
lesson. Create a list of traits that made King Kamehameha a great leader.
3. Distribute the campaign poster materials. Have the students create a poster. The students
should write a paragraph to include on the poster. (Writing)
4. Hand out the map worksheet and fill it out as a class. Mark the location of North Kohala
(King Kamehamehas birthplace) and Honolulu (the capital of Hawaii). (Geography)
5. Next, begin discussing what happens on King Kamehameha Day. Two events to focus on
are the hula competition and the draping of lei on the King Kamehameha statue.
6. Create paper lei for the students to wear for the rest of the day. (Art)
7. Get the kids up and moving by teaching them basic hula dancing steps. (Social Studies)
8. Teach the students the words to the song Ke Ao Nani in English and Hawaiian. Students
can dance the hula as they sing along, if they would like. (Music)
Poster Project
After reading and discussing Kamehameha: The Warrior King of Hawaii, hand out
one large piece of construction paper to each student, along with glue, coloring utensils, lined
paper, scissors, and each individual childs school picture. Have the students create a poster
using these materials that explain why he or she would be a good leader. The students should
use the lined paper to write one paragraph that explains more in-depth the reasons they would be
good leaders. The paragraph should be included on the paragraph, along with the students
school picture.
Map Worksheets
Print flower outlines onto the colored paper so that students have a guide to follow.
Hula Dance
The two day King Kamehameha Hula Competition is attended by hula groups from across the
world.
Basic steps:
Hela: Point right foot forward and bring back. Point left foot forward, bring back.
Rainbow Hand Movement: join palms on the left side of the body. Bring right hand up,
over the head in an arch, like a rainbow.
Rising Sun Hand Movement: Starting at the knees with hands together, reach toward the
sky and part hands as they move up to show the sun rising.
Tide Roll Hand Movement: Hold hands above one another horizontally. Rotate the hands
around one another to show the rolling waves.
Practice each of the steps that you want to use with the students multiple times. Then, select a
piece of Hawaiian music, such as Ke Ao Nani, for the students to dance to. Model the
movements you want them to perform as you dance.
Ke Ao Nani
Ke Ao Nani, while not associated with King Kamehameha, is a traditional Hawaiian
childrens song. Teaching this song or another like it allows the students to experience the
Hawaiian language and music.
Project the Hawaiian and English lyrics at the front of the room for the students to see.
Read through the Hawaiian words together, and then the English translation. Finish by singing
the song together.
Teaching tip:
Discuss what the words of the song tell us about Hawaiian culture and nature.
Talk about similar songs from other cultures, if the students know of any.