Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 3, Number 2, 1 February 1986 — Women's Auxiliary, Hawaii Chapter 1 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Women's Auxiliary, Hawaii Chapter 1

Ceremony is First Rate Function

The Women's Auxiliary, Hawaii Chapter 1, of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, went puhlie for the first time in its installation of officers Jan. 18 at the Camp HMS Smith Staff Non-Commissioned Officers Club, U.S. Marine Corps, Halawa Heights. In doing so, the Auxiliary retained the solemnity and dignity marking the function normally held at monthly meetings

before members only. The men continue to install their officers in virtual secrecy and without fanfare. The auxiliary decided to open its 1986 installation to friends, guests and spouses. It was a heart-warming and inspiring ceremony complete with prayer by La'au Ali'i (installing ehaplain) Wayne Davis and chanting by Kahuna Pule (installing chanter) Franklin Pao. John Lindsey was the Kaka Olelo or installing officer with Edward Kaopuiki as Ali'i 'Aimoku or the assistant installing officer. The 1986 women's auxiliary officers installed were: Moani Umi, president; Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, vice president; Roxanne Davis, secretary; Shirley Leong, treasurer; Mary Lou Kekuewa, sergeant-at-arms; Ann Kaapana and Bernice Waiwaiole, trustees; and Elizabeth El!is, ehaplain. Elizabeth Idian, also a trustee, was absent because of illness. She will be installed later. As the names of the officers were called out, eaeh one was presented a ho'okupu symbolic of the duties of the respective office and its responsibilities. This feature was a "first" for the ceremony, an idea created by Jenkins who also serves as kupuna coordinator for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Those conducting the installation were the men of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I whieh was also known in later years as the Kamehameha Lodge before reverting to its original designation as it is known today. There are two chapters on Oahu, one inactive, and one

eaeh on Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. Molokai's lone chapter is also inactive. Clifford Anderson is the Order's ali'i nui. The Auxiliary function was held before 100 persons who enjoyed entertainment by the Bee Sisters — Esther Nakoa and Momi Kahawaiolaa — Owana Salazar of the Royal Hawaiian Band and Na Leo Pilimehana, The Kamehameha Schools trio who won the 1984 Brown Bags to Stardom competition with their rendition of the song, "Loeal Boy." The beautiful table decorations had a decided Hawaiian motif, again thanks to the creativity of Mrs. Jenkins and her 81-year-old mother, Elizabeth Ellis. The OHA kupuna coordinator and Duke Akina of the Royal Order were eochairpersons of the event. There was even some high level post banquet entertainment by noted singer and entertainer Kawai Cockett who was coaxed from the audience by the Bee Sisters. He joined them on stage and in turn called his mother, Rachel Mahuiki who had offered the doxology at the start of the evening's program. It turned out to be an evening of old-fashioned Hawaiian entertainment as those who remained took to the dance floor and kicked up their heels. The evening also afforded many of the kupuna and young people an opportunity to kuka with one another and renew old friendships with some lost connections.

Women's Auxiliary officers of the Roy al Order of Kamehameha I, holding their Ho'okupu, from left to right, front row: Elizabeth Ellis, ehaplain; Bemice Waiwaiole and Ann Kaapana, trustees; back row: Mary Lou Kekuewa, sergeant-at-arms; Shirley Leong, treasurer; Moana Umi, president; Roxanna Davis, secretary; and Betty Jenkins, vice president.