Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 10, 1 October 2012 — Hawaiian Civic Club Convention returns [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiian Civic Club Convention returns

Prince lonah Kūhiō Kalaniana 'ole, Hawai'i's delegate to Congress from 1903 to 1921, founded the first Hawaiian civic club. According to "The History of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs" by Dot Uehima, "Prince Kūhiō believed that the future of the Hawaiian coimnunity and its people could be protected and promoted only

through an organized effort by Hawaiian leadership. He believed that Hawaiians should help their young people secure an education that would enable them to compete successfully in the new cultural environment introduced to Hawai'i in the 19th century. Thus the Hawaiian Civic Club was fonned with the objective of providing scholarship aid for the education of Hawaiian students; of preserving and promoting the Hawaiian heritage, traditions, language and culture; of promoting and supporting organizations interested in improving the conditions of the Hawaiian people and conununity at large as well as legislation beneficial to the Hawaiian conununity; and of perpetuating the values that dignify all human life, whieh are the moral and ethical foundation of our cultural expressions that comprise a unique, rich and enduring legacy of the first people of Hawai'i nei." The first civic club was the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, founded in 1918. Today there are more than 60 clubs located throughout the State of Hawai'i and in the states of Alaska, Califomia, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas. Today the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs still continues with Kūhiō's objectives and its vision is to remain a recognized voice of the Native Hawaiian people and make the organization selfsustaining. Its mission is to serve with pono in advocacy of culture, health, eeonomie development, education, social welfare and nationhood.

On April 18, 1959, the first convention of the Hawaiian civic clubs was held for one day at the Princess Ka'iulani Hotel in Honolulu, O'ahu. This year, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs will hold its 53rd annual eonvention at the IW Marriott in Washington, D.C., from Oct. 14 to 21. The theme of this year's convention is "Kū Kākou I Ke Pono Kū A Puni Ke Ao Mālamalama - Let us all stand for justice, stand

across this brilhant world." It is anticipated that there will be over 400 delegates who will be following in the footsteps of Prince Kūhiō, as they convene in conunittee and meetings and plenary sessions, to discuss, debate and reach consensus on resolutions and bills for an act, whieh are brought to the floor of the delegates. All delegates participating in the convention will also have several opportunities to see various attractions around the Washington, D.C., area. They will have an opportunity to paddle a double-hull eanoe on the Potomac River. They will be able to tour Washington, D.C., monuments by day and also by night as they are illuminated by lights. Delegates will also get a ehanee to view significant historic sites of Ali'i Diplomatic Missions. Some of the highlights of the tour are the Apex Building, across from the National Archives, where Queen Lili'uokalani watched President McKinley's inaugural parade from the upper windows. Another is the National Mall's Arts and Industries Building, the original home of the National Museum that was visited by Princess Kapi'olani and Queen Lili'uokalani. There will also be a tour of the National Institutes of Heahh/ National Library of Medicine, where the "Native Voices: Native Peoples' Concepts of Heahh and Illness" exhibition is on display. This is the largest Native Hawaiian heahh exhibit outside the State of Hawai'i. Best wishes to the organizers and participants for a successful convention. ■

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Editor's note: Beginning in June, certain trustees ' columns will not appear in Ka Wai Ola. In accordance with an Office ofHawaiian Affairs Board ofTrustees policy based on state ethics guidelines, any trust.ee runningfor re-election is suspended from publishing his or her regular eolumn until the elections are complet.e, except.for t.hose t.ru.st.ees ru.nning u.nopposed. Tru.st.ees HaunaniApoliona, Robert.Lindsey and Hulu.Lindsey havefiled nominat.ion papersfor re-election anel, as a resu.lt, t.heircolumns are su.spendedpending the ouieome oft.he elect.ion.

Cūlette Y. Machadū Chairpersūn, Trustee Muluka'i and Lāna'i