By Reagan Paz

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Old Hawaiian culture and language is a dying practice; not many people know of it or participate in it anymore. However, Social Studies teacher John Topolinski found a way to get in touch with ancestral Hawaii when he shared his family’s Hawaiian artifacts with his Modern Hawaiian History classes.

“This year, for some reason, the classes seem more receptive to the inner meaning of Hawaiian history and what we all talk about so I felt this was the right time,” said Topolinski, “I’m going to share this with these kids because they will understand and it will be like a living legacy, something that I can give to these kids.”

Some of the artifacts include jewelry and clothing that belonged to high-ranking chiefs, books that were written by influential people like Queen Liliuokalani and Captain Cook, invitations and programs for royal ceremonies, Hawaiian instruments and the old Hawaiian tapa, made from mulberry plants or the wauke. “He had actual artifacts from that time period. So his family is basically tied to all of the monarchy, he has like bracelets and fans from Queen Kapiolani,” said Junior Evan McMillan.

Topolinski shared these artifacts with his students in hopes that they could connect with them in a more personal way. “It will cause them to look at history from a more human perspective realizing that history is the journey of man and that we are all in that journey together,” he said. McMillan added, “It helped reinforce what was really happening at the time, that you can have a culture and it can be snatched away from you in an instant. But in truth, you’ll always have a little piece of the culture with you in material.”

The artifacts also serve to show students that heritage can be carried through material things. “They also connect us to what was, meaning their roots, they can connect us to the ancestors and the objects are objects that remind us of the history of our family so each object has a history,” said Topolinski.

Topolinski teaches his students by incorporating the artifacts to coincide with the events taught within a book. “Books tell just so much, but when my students see this actual living thing, it puts a face on history,” Topolinski expressed, “I think observation is powerful because the one that’s giving it is like you say, I lived it, I’ve seen it, so it makes the impact on my students far more lasting.” McMillan said, “I felt that it had a personal connection instead of just being book work.”

Yet beside the lessons and the work, Topolinski makes an effort to connect with each of his students. “He’s not just another teacher, he really tries to get to know you,” McMillan expressed, “I think he gets you more involved.” Even past students feel that he is a unique teacher that no one else can compare to. “If you want someone to teach you anything about Hawaiian culture, lifestyles, history, he’s your man from Hawaii to Niihau. You’re not going to find anyone else and everyone knows that,” said Hawaiian Language and Dance teacher Kekoa Wong, who was also a student of Topolinski, “You’re not going to find a more well-versed resource than him.”

Topolinski hopes that the lessons he has taught will spark a newfound interest in Hawaiian history and culture in his students.