Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 2, 1 February 1987 — Royal Order Auxiliary Holds Installation [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Royal Order Auxiliary Holds Installation

'We Have a Journey This Year of Ho'olako 1987'

"We have a journey, you and I, in this new year of Ho'olako 1987— The Year of the Hawaiian. Together we ean know joy, remember our Hawaii past, feel pride in our legacy, enjoy the reawakening of things Hawaiian and glean from eaeh new and relived experience the specialness of being the people of our Hawaii island culture." These were the words spoken by Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins following her installation as president of the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Hawaii Chapter 1, Women's Auxiliary, Jan. 8, at the Camp H. M. Smjth Commissioned Officers Mess in Aiea. Jenkins, who also serves the Office of Hawaiian Affaris as Community Kupuna Coordinator, and other officers of the Auxiliary along with committee chairwomen were formally installed by Edward Kaopuiki, Alii Aimoku O Hawaii. He was assisted by John Lindsey, Alii Okano. This marked the second straight year that formal installation ceremonies for the Auxiliary was held. It follows a tradition established last year when the newly installed president felt that some dignity and protocol were necessary. It was a solemn yet uplifting program, culturally rich in the heritage of the organization's namesake. This year's ceremony also featured for the very first time the installation of committee chairwomen, another new precedent for the Auxiliary. In her brief remarks to about 80 of her sisters, brothers, ohana and hoaloha, Jenkins asked for their kokua "as we work for our Royal Order of Kamehameha." Her commitment, she explained, "is one of dedication, loyalty and support." In the spirit of working together, she declared: "Eaeh of us paddling the eanoe with cooperative strokes of purpose. . .with vigor of aspiration. , .with team effort of joint action. . .with collaborated talents, united. . ." "There is no doubt in my mind that this year 1987 will be for us all a time to celebrate our Hawaiian. . ,ourHawaii. . .and in so doing demonstrate honor, dignity and respect for the Royal Order of Kamehameha. T onight is just a preview of things to eome," she observed.

Jenkins went on to thank everyone involved in her success and the planning and staging of the night's program. In the end, she touched everyone in the audience when she said: "And to one who brought me into this Order, I missed you tonight as it was aiways you who did so many little things for me when I find myself involved up to my ears. I'll do the best I ean for you and theOrderyou served and loved for so long." There was not a dry eye in the audience. Jenkins of course was referring to her late father, Richmond Kaliko Ellis Sr., who passed away July 16, 1986. As Kaopuiki read off the names of the officers and their duties, eaeh was presented with a Hawaiian plant or greenery symbolic of that particular office. Alii Mamo Paul Kekuewa made eaeh presentation. Other 1987 officers are: Maria Lindsey, vice president; Shirley Leong, secretary; Mollie Dean Casill, treasurer; Ann Kaapana, Momi Kahawaiolaa, Esther Nakoa, trustees; Mary Lou Kekuewa, sergeant-at-arms; Elizabeth Nalani Ellis, ehaplain; and Moana Umi, past president and ex-officio. Committee chairwomen are: Roxanne Davis, Constitution and Bylaws; Wanda Branco, Legislation; Eliza-

beth Idian, Scholarship; Bernice Waiwaiole, Health and Sickness; Martha Maunakea, Aloha; Katherine Ching, Historian. Entertainment for the no-host cocktail hour was furnished by the Bee Sisters. The Kailua Madrigal Singers Alumni, a nucleus of 13 former Kailua High School Madrigal Singers, put on a memorable program reminiscent of their high school days. The group was led by founder and director Shigeru Hotoke who retired in 1984 after 20 years of heading up the popular school group whieh traveled throughout the far corners of the world to spread Hawaii's aloha. While the school groups numbered in the hundreds eaeh year, Hotoke is proud of the 13 who eame out of retirement two years ago. Hotoke told Ka Wai Ola O OHA that while the alumni group is small, its been rather difficult getting together because many of them work and have families of their own. "But they wanted to get active again and they've been just tremendous in making rehearsals and meeting their commitments since we've been together. We plan a Disneyland appearance this year with a side trip to Las

Vegas," Hotoke reported. He noted there were only 1 1 of them that Jan. 8 night because two couldn't get away from other eommitments. Despite their small number, they were strong in voice, talent and showmanship, strolling through the audience, doing the hula and singing a mixed bag of hapa haole and Hawaiian songs. Hotoke said his little group has been busy since being active again. As an example, he observed that they performed every Sunday for eight months at the Banyan Gardens in Waikiki until it closed down. The group was tied up during the hoiiday season, playing several dates throughout December. "We find ourselves busier now than when we were in school," Hotoke laughs. Asked if he had anything else to do in retirement besides the Madrigals, Hotoke said he makes a little time for some gardening whieh he loves, goes fishing with his wife and sometimes gets in three days of golfing. Rachel Mahuiki offered the opening pule while Mrs. Ellis, Auxiliary ehaplain, Mrs. Jenkins' mother and widow of Richmond Ellis, gave the closing prayer.

Elizabeth Nalani Ellis, Auxiliary ehaplain, accepts her symbolic greenery from Paul Kekuewa.

Kahuna Pule Franklin Pao and Alii Mamo Paul Kekuewa lead the procession of officers of the Royal Order of Kamehameha 1, Hawaii Chapter 1, Women's Auxiliary, at its recent installation. Directly behind Kekuewa is President Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins. Others visible in photo behind Mrs. Jenkins are Maria Lindsey, vice president; Shirley Leong, secretary; Mollie Dean Casill, treasurer; and Mary Lou Kekuewa, sergeant-at-arms.