Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 September 1983 — Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian Civic Clubs Convention

The civic club movement was started in 1917 by a group of distinguished Hawaiian leaders who saw education as one key to solving the decline of their people. These men included Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, John Wise, William Heen, Noah Webster Aluli and A.G.M. Robertson. Sixty years and thousands of scholarship dollars later, the Association continues to eoneentrate on education and related subjects, and continues to serve as a catalyst binding Hawaiians together. The twenty fourth annual convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs will be held at the Kona Surf Hotel in Keauhou, Kona, Hawaii on November 10 - 12, 1983. The AHCC consists of forty-two clubs throughout Hawaii and California, and about a thousand delegates, members, friends and resource people are expected to attend this year's convention. The civic club movement was started in 1917 by a group of distinguished Hawaiian leaders who saw education as one key to solving the decline of their people. These men included Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole, John Wise, William Heen, Noah Webster Aluli and A.G.M. Robertson. Sixty years and thousands of scholarship dollars later, the Association continues to eoneentrate on education and related subjects, and continues to serve as a catalyst binding Hawaiians together. The theme of this year's convention was suggested by Aunty Mele Ana Warfield, kupuna of the Kona Hawaiian Civic CIub. "I Ku No I Ka Mana A Ke Kahu Hanai" or "Traits acquired from those who raise a child" will be discussed on the convention floor by a panel of kupuna and opio. The first day of the convention traditionally consists of a tour of historic sites (whieh are numerous in Kona), socializing and fellowship in the forms of a golf, bowling, cribbage and kamau. Hawaiian games to be played on the historic hotel grounds include pala'ie, hu, ulu maika, moa pahe'e. This year the Hawaii District Council has introduced lei making, aloha shirt, mu'umu'u, holoku and hula kahiko contests. Business on Friday, November 1 1, will be more serious as standing eommittees meet in conference over Hawaiian issues and concerns. Committees and chairpersons include: Education, Rona Rodenhurst (Ahahui Kai'ulani HCC): Budget and Finance, Elaine

Mullaney; Historic Sites and Public Relations, Mikilani Ho (Kailua HCC); Na Mea Hawaii, Betty Jenkins (Ali'i Pauahi HCC); Resolutions, Whitney Anderson (Kailua HCC); Legislation, Fred McWayne (Kamehameha HCC); Constitution and By-Laws, Bruss Keppeler (Honolulu HCC). On Friday night eight clubs will sing in the Aha Hookuku Mele song contest wearing club colors and flowers. Contest song this year, appropriately enough, is "Kona Kai O Pua" arranged for the Association by Dorothy Kahananui Gillett of the University of Hawaii. The song contest is a highlight of the convention and is a gift of sight and sound with rainbow hues and harmonious mature voices. Last year's winner was the Waimea HCC under the direction of master musician John Spencer. Chairperson of this year's event is Haunani Apoliona (Honolulu HCC). Saturday's business covers reports from Friday's committee meetings and floor discussions are invariably lively and stimulating before resolutions are adopted. Just before adjournment special recognition through annual awards will be given for: 1. Outstanding Hawaiian 2. Outstanding Hawaiian Civic Club member 3. Pnnee Kuhio Award (to the outstanding civic club) 4. Outstanding non-Hawaiian. An award added this year is "Ho'omau i ka hana lima no'eau a na Hawai'i" for the club best perpetuating the arts and crafts of Hawaii. Finale of the convention will be the ahaaina, or grand banquet, on Saturday night. Entertainment by clubs and individuals will be on the program and the luau menu is impressive. Planning for this convention is being coordinated by the nine clubs of the Hawaii District Council — Kohala, Waimea, Hamakua, Laupahoehoe, Hilo, Prince David Kawananakoa, Ka'u, Hoopuloa and Kona. Site and event coordinators are Charles Rose (Laupahoehoe HCC), Kahea Backley (Kona HCC) and Ruby McDonald (Kona HCC). President of the District Council is Pele Hanoa (Ka'u HCC). Coordination and support for all clubs within the Association is handled by the Association Board of Directors under the leadership of President Benson Lee (Pearl Harbor HCC).