Mr. Casupang wins Ola Pono Award

MPI Kumu Hula Michael Lanakila Casupang was chosen as one of the winners of the 2007 Ola Pono Awards (the drug-free, safe and healthy community, unsung hero awards). The awards are sponsored by the Hawaii State DOE, Safe and Drug-Free Schools, HMSA, Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii and the Department of the Attorney General. Casupang received the award Friday, Feb. 9. He donated the $1,000 award to Mid-Pacific for the Lynette Pang Memorial Fund. From left to right: Joe C. Rice, president; Michael Lanakila Casupang; R. Kevin Doyle MPSA director.

“I congratulate Mr. Casupang on his selection for this award,” said MPI President Joe Rice. “You are a wonderful teacher and we are blessed to have you working with the students.”

"To Lanakila, teaching hula -- being the MPI Kumu -- is so much more than classroom instruction," said high school principal Rich Schaffer. "It is his life's mission to use hula as a model, as a guide for life; he does so with a passion and commitment that never fails to inspire."

Posted on February 12, 2007 3:12 PM | Permalink