Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 4, Number 2, 1 February 1987 — Trustee Kaulukukui Explains Hoʻolako 1987 [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Trustee Kaulukukui Explains Hoʻolako 1987

Kamehameha IV: 'Let Us Be One and We Shall Not Fail'

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Thomas K. (Unele T ommy) Kauiukukui, who is also president of Ho'olako 1987. explained to Department of Education Central District kupuna Jan.9 at Wilson Elementary School how The Year of the Hawaiian heeame a reality. He said that in his campaign talks during two OH A elections and at appearances before school groups and other organizations, he always Carries a big card depicting three circles with pictures in them symboIizing 'Aina, Ha'aheo and Lokahi. Kaulukukui, who recently turned 74, said ' Aina represented getting back some of our lands; Ha*aheo was pride, talking about Hawaiians getting an education, going on to college, getting good jobs, going into politics; and L.okahi, picturing four paddlers going the same direction and the same plaee. Then he described the crab syndrome depicting a bucket filled with crabs and one on the very top climbing out of it. "I don't picture this as the rest of the crab trying to pull down the crab on the top. I see the crab on top telling those on the bottom, 'Eh brah! Come up and climb out of the bucket with me,' "he explained. "We've done something about 'Aina through our Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation and Ha'ahao through the success of many Hawaiians, mogt notahly the recent election of John David Waihee III as governor of this state; and now we're doing something about Lokahi through Ho'olako 1987," Kaulukukui observed. "In 1985, I had the idea of having one big day of eelebration for us Hawaiians. I talked with then Lt. Gov. Waihee and he suggested a whole year instead of just one day and that's how The Year of the Hawaiian was born. OHA supported me and former Gov. George R. Ariyoshi proclaimed 1987 as The Year of the Hawaiian. There were skeptics but today they're still calling up to ask where they ean help," the OHA Trustee recalled. In conclusion. Kaulukukui borrowed the words of Alexander Liholiho (Kamehameha IV) when he took the oath of office 132 years ago on Jan. 11, 1855: "Chiefs, I have becOme, by the will of God, your father as I have been your child. You must help me, for I stand in need of help. Today, we begin a newera. . .Let it be one of increased civilization, one of progress, industry, temperance, morality and all of those virtues whieh mark a nation's progress. The importance of unity is that whieh I wish to impress upon your minds. Let us be one and we shall not fail." Also appearing with Kaulukukui were OHA Community Kupuna Coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins and two Hawaii kupuna — Ululani Kanakaole Garmon of Waimea and Maile Lum Ho Vargo of Hilo. Kupuna Garmon, a daughter of the late Aunty Edith Kanakaole, gave a chant to the accompaniment of a nose flute played by Kupuna Vargo. Jenkins spoke on the-interdep^ndence of Hawaiians and how they eame from a culture of excellence (po'okela) while Harriet 0'Sullivan, vice president of the Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club presented copies of Na Mele Na Oli A Na Kupuna produced by her club and featuring songs composed and sung by various kupuna, including several by Vargo. The project was funded through an OHA grant. TTie Central District kupuna, meeting with OHA for the first time, were then introduced to "I Ola Kakou Na Hawaii," a Ho'olako 1987 song written during the November, 1986, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs convention on Kauai by Kupuna Violet Hughes and Vargo. Lyrics are by the two kupuna with music by Kupuna Vargo. It is a catchy ditty whieh all joined in after a few bars. Kupuna Hughes is with the Central District. June Borden, on temporary assingment as the district's resource specialist in Hawaiian Studies, extended greetings to the group. She succeeds Solomon Kaulukukui who retired last December and returned as a kupuna in the district. Tina Kaneshiro, Amy Kaimimoku, Mary Ah Nee and Aina Badua hosted the group at. a pot luek luneh.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr. tells Central District kupuna about Ho'olako 1987 and how it became a reality.

Kupuna Ululani Kanakaole Garmon of Waimea, Hawaii, at left, Kupuna Maile Lum Ho Vargo, center of Hilo and OHA Community Kupuna Coordinator Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, right, lead Central District kupuna in singing their Ho'olako 1987 song, "I Ola Kakou Na Hawaii." Looking on near blackboard is OHA Trustee and Ho'olako President Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr. Barely visible at far right against door is Harriet 0'Sullivan, vice president of Ali'i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club.