West Hawaii Boy and Cub Scouts put their skills, smarts and ability to work together on display during the Scouts’ 101st annual Makahiki held Saturday in Kailua-Kona.
West Hawaii Boy and Cub Scouts put their skills, smarts and ability to work together on display during the Scouts’ 101st annual Makahiki held Saturday in Kailua-Kona.
From the famous Pinewood Derby, which drew 140 Scouts, to the 180 youngsters who hoped their eggs would survive a 20-plus-foot drop, an array of activities designed to build Scouts’ characters and prepare them for life were on display at Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion.
“The community is seeing what Scouting is all about,” said Helen Shirota-Benevides, Aloha Council Executive Board member, as the youngsters presented the ceremonial colors. “These boys have learned life skills and now they get to share what they’ve learned in their units with the community so that other kids, who may not be eligible yet, have the opportunity to come down and see what’s going on.”
The Aloha Council refers to the Makahiki as the oldest annual Scouting show in the United States. The Boy Scouts of America event was first held at the old Camp Bluegum in Aiea Heights, Oahu, in 1911, one year after Scouting arrived in the Hawaiian Islands.
Twenty-five troops from the Kona Coast and Hamakua/Kohala districts participated in the Makahiki, enjoying games, crafts and exhibits. About 300 members, and hundreds of others, were present and participated in various activities, games, crafts and exercises.
The Kona Coast district has about 360 members while the Hamakua/Kohala district comprises about 250 youths, said Jim Johnson, Kona Coast District public relations chairman. Taking part in the annual Makahiki is elective, but there were some activities for Scouts to earn badges, such as welding.
More than 19,000 young people and nearly 8,000 volunteers take part in Scouting activities in the council’s region, which stretches well beyond the Aloha State. The council serves Scout troops in Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, the Marianas, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau.
The purpose of Scouting is to provide an educational program for boys to build character, to train in the responsibilities of participating citizenship and to develop personal fitness, according to the Aloha Council. The organization, which now involves girls in some programs, teaches boys, ages 6-18, skills that will help them throughout life.
And, it’s those skills that have helped 16-year-old Kapaau resident Kahuliau Kaai tremendously throughout his life, ensuring he is prepared for adulthood and college. Kaai, a Kohala High School junior, hopes to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa where he will major in music.
“Boy Scouts taught me leadership, responsibility and other good life skills,” said Kaai, a member of Troop 56 based out of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in North Kohala. “It’s a group that helped me solidify my goals in life.”
But, just because he’s almost grown up, Kaai said that doesn’t mean he won’t spend time sharing his knowledge with younger Scouts.
“When I was a little kid, Scouts always helped me and I learned a lot,” he said. “So, since they helped me why can’t I do the same for them?”
Leah Kalima, whose son, Derek Kalima III, 9, takes part in Cub Scouts, iterated many of Kaai’s sentiments about how the program has helped her son in just the two years he’s been involved.
“It’s taught him to become more loyal and more responsible,” she said, adding that Derek is also more organized and prepared. “He’s certainly committed himself to the Scout pledge to do good and be honorable.”
For more information on the Boy Scouts of America Aloha Council, visit alohacouncilbsa.org or call the council’s local service center in Hilo at 959-0079.