Middle school is preparing for Songfest along with fellow grade levels, the Juniors, and Seniors.  Songfest is an annual activity hosted by  Nanakuli High and Intermediate School for the public. Songfest is to promote and perpetuate the culture of our Hawaiian people. The theme of this yearʻs Songfest is “Na Mele Aloha,” The Songs Of Love.

Middle School is participating in this event with an abundant amount of participants. The practices are led by Charline Watson, Devin Takahashi, John  Ezell, and Tasha Firestone and have given the students the opportunity to compete in Songfest.

According to the coaches, middle school participants have shown improvement over the weeks of practice. All the coaches are wowed by their improvement and have confidence that they’ll genuinely amaze the crowd at Songfest.

So far setbacks never feared the participants’ eyes as they and their coaches gave it their all during practice to complete their goal of being harmonized and ready for Songfest.

Char Watson, the 8th-grade Advisor, was asked about any problems during Songfest. “Currently, no problems right now. In fact, it is the total opposite. We are doing really well. So, as everyone knows, it’s a combination of two grade levels of seventh and eighth graders. So, with the help of the teachers, we are able to practice with the students. The majority of the students are from the Hoʻopulapula academy.”

Middle School is performing “He Aloha Nanakuli,” which signifies love for the community.

But how does practice go for Middle school?

Tasha Firestone, the 7th-grade P.E and Guidance teacher, said, “Yeah, we’ve been practicing since January, and we use advisory time. So we’ve been practicing every B and B 2 during the advisory. And then we have a couple of dress rehearsal times set up. But the kids have been great, and I think it’s a really great opportunity for our academy and our non-academy students to be working together.”

Still, many middle school students are unsure about joining Songfest or not.

Devin Takahashi, the math and livestock teacher for Ho’opulapula 7th and 8th grade, said, “With a large number of students, I guess the difficulties that we’re having is just making sure that we have the students who are for sure participating. Right now, we’re just looking at our advisory classes, and students are visiting, seeing who’s interested and who’s not interested. But I wouldn’t say it’s a problem. I say it’s a good problem to have a lot of numbers. So, yeah, it’s a good problem to have.”