Post #8266 by Doctor Z on Fri, Sep 13, 2002 10:57 PM

I teach fifth grade in Long Beach, CA, and every Friday is "Aloha Friday" in my classroom. I wear a different aloha shirt each week (yeah, I've got enough for almost an entire school year...), and we try to use Hawaiian phrases ("ho'olu","mahalo", etc.) whenever possible. With the exception of a few of my Samoan and Filipino students, most of them know nothing about tiki or Polynesian Culture, so I share with them what (little) I know, and they are actually REALLY interested! Just this year I've started bringing a different mug from my collection every week to talk about and "show off" (planning for the future generation of Tiki-Centralites, you see...). District policy says the kids have to wear uniforms, but every so often I get them a 'free-dress' Aloha Friday, and they show up in some great stuff! Not vintage, mind you, but impressive for 10-year olds nonetheless! At the end of the year we have a big luau (no pig...), and I've already talked to King Kukulele about coming and playing for us this year! Of course, one of the best things is having students from years ago visit my room: one of the first things they ask is if I still do Aloha Fridays!