I shared earlier about the educational opportunity afforded children of Hawaiian ancestry, made possible by the bequeath of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop and the establishment of Kamehameha Schools. Entrance exams are offered for incoming 4th, 7th and 9th grades with limited vacancies in the 10th – 12th grades. A few decades or so ago I was eligible by age and grade level to test for the 4th grade, however I declined. My father was a high school basketball coach at his alumni and I was set on attending the same school, there was history.
Lui, my younger brother, tested at both Kamehameha and Punahou School for the 7th grade. Unfortunately for Kamehameha, he was wait listed, however was offered an education from Punahou School. His personality garnered him many new friends, and one of his first was Lea. If memory serves me correctly she was also his first hula partner for their school May Day program. Lui and Lea remained very close friends until his passing in 1999. Lea had already received her degree from Cornell University and was studying in Italy when she obliged my Mom’s request and returned to Hawai’i to sing at Lui’s services. Lea graced me with her compassion during my grief through encouraging emails from Italy. For her soul, I am grateful.
Lea Woods Friedman will be performing in the East Meets East Concert at the Doris Duke Theater located at the Honolulu Academy of Arts on February 9 – 10.
Enjoy a clip of Lea performing Micaela’s aria from “Carmen.”
Wait now, Lui Faleafini, I was not aware he was at Punahou. Mandy was there also and graduated in ’99. How did we miss each other. I’m sorry to hear of your loss. Lea is a fine women. I know her mother and father very well through business. She sang at Punahou May Day programs before Mandy did because she is older. Mandy followed her when she became a freshman. Thank you so much for sharing the you tube videos, I thoroughly enjoyed it.