2025, Aloha 'Āina, Song & Video Created by 3rd Grade Students of Kula Elementary
Aloha ʻĀina
When We Shine is proud to present our latest Stop-Motion Music Video, featuring a song written, sung, recorded, along with the beautifully created story board and digital Stop-Motion art and presentation by the students of Kula Elementary Schools.
Music is a hub of learning all on its own. Combined with singing and songwriting, the students learn special skills in listening and creative expression. Add stop-motion video and they all become creators and story-tellers!
The project was divided into four phases - Planning and Research, Songwriting and Recording, Multi-Media Creation, and Final Presentations. Throughout the process, the students learned valuable skills in storytelling, collaboration, and creativity, all while sharing a piece of their community’s story with the world.
Under the guidance of two talented teaching artists, the students dove into the songwriting process with Melinda Caroll’s Songwriting Residency. Through interactive activities and collaborative games, they crafted the lyrics and melody for their song, “Aloha ʻĀina.” The next phase involved creating a storyboard, designing characters, and painting backgrounds for their stop-motion music video.
Shelley Toon Lindberg, along with Maggie Sutrov, a well known Maui visual artist assisting Shelley, led the students in the creation of the stop-motion animation, teaching them how to bring their art to life through digital technology. After recording their voices and mastering the final audio version of the song, the students merged it with their completed video. The grand “World Debut” of “Aloha ʻĀina” took place at their school, with the music video now available for viewing on WWSF’s YouTube Channel.
Kula Elementary School, still in recovery from the devastating upcountry fires, found solace and healing through this project. A sense of pride and Aloha in the community was strengthened as students and teachers came together to create something truly special.
The Arts inspire: consider inviting the world of songwriting and stop-motion animation into your classroom. You might just uncover a hidden talent or spark a lifelong passion in the process. Let’s continue to celebrate the creativity and resilience of our youth, one song and music video at a time!
Here are the Kula Studentʻs beautiful song lyrics:
The Aloha ʻĀina Song
By Ms. Yutzy, Ms. Ogle & Ms. Cook’s 3rd Grade Classes, Kula Elementary
w. Melinda Caroll Facilitator & Teaching Artist
1st Verse
We stand up for what we believe. Put a smile on our face not a frown
For Aloha ʻĀina, We love this land, itʻs very true.
And our ʻĀina loves us,
We hope you love our ʻĀina, too!
2nd Verse
The Mountains rise like a Chief, Keeping watch over these shores,
Where rainbows and waterfalls, And the trade-winds blow.
This is our island,
This is our island home.
Chorus
Aloha ʻĀina, (Aloha ʻĀina), Malāma i ka ʻĀina, (Malāma i ka ʻĀina)
Be aware of how fragile we are.
It is our Kuleana, (It is our Kuleana) For future ʻOhana, (For future ʻOhana)
Hoʻomau na Keiki o Hawaiʻi Nei.
3rd Verse
This is a song made for you, To remember to walk kind and brave
When your feet touch the ground, Let your heart show the way.
Hoʻolaulima, make a brighter day.
Hoʻolaulima, make a brighter day.
CHORUS 2X
Aloha ʻĀina, (Aloha ʻĀina), Malāma i ka ʻĀina, (Malāma i ka ʻĀina)
Be aware of how fragile we are.
It is our Kuleana, (It is our Kuleana) For future ʻOhana, (For future ʻOhana)
Hoʻomau na Keiki o Hawaiʻi Nei.
2025 ©® Shine Media Productions. ASCAP
