Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 1, 1 January 1988 — 400 Attend Hoʻolako Function [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

400 Attend Hoʻolako Function

16 Hawaiians Honored at Na Po'okela Banquet

By Kenny Haina, Editor Ka Wai Ola O OHA Sixteen individuals of Hawaiian ancestry who unselfishly gave of themselves in a particular field were honored Dec. 11 in the first Na Po'okela Awards Banquet before more than 400 people in the gracious Monarch Room of the venerable Royal Hawaiian Hotel. It was one of the highlights of Ho'olako 1987, celebrating the Year of the Hawaiian. These champions of modern day society and the award represented the eommunity's mahalo for their personal dedication.

There were 16 committees, one for eaeh award category, whieh made the individual selections. Nominations eame from the selection committees as well as from the general public. Two of the winners were unable to attend while another, Vicki Ii Rodrigues is deceased. She was, however, apprised of her selection as the winner in music for May before her passing. Eaeh winner or a representative received a handsome booklet containing Honolulu City Council resolutions acknowledging eaeh individual achievement and congratulating them. This presentation was made possible through Councilman John DeSoto who was on hand to personally congratulate eaeh winner and participate in the awards program.

In addition to the resolutions, winners were presented with a large koa eloek containing eaeh of the Hawailan islands, the recipient's name and the area in whieh he or she won. A plaque was also attached. These showcase awards eame from the House of Kalai. The presentations were made by DeSoto, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee and Ho'olako President Thomas K. (Unele Tommy) Kaulukukui Sr., withTiona Wailehua and Harold Meheula assisting. Introductions were made by Betty Kawohiokalani Ellis Jenkins, OHA Community Kupuna Coordinator and Ho'olako vice president. The pule was given by the Rev. David Kaupu of Kamehameha Schools. The appearance of the Aloha Week Court opened the evening's program on the Grand Royal Lawn where a cocktail hour preceded a delicious Hawaiian dinner. There were congratulatory messages read by Kaulukukui from U.S. Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Spark M. Matsunaga who also expressed regrets that their

schedule in the nation's capitol prevented them from attending. Kaulukukui lauded Amfac ine. for sponsoring the Na Po'okela Awards throughout the year and often referred to the kamaaina organization as "Amenean Factors" whieh many oldtimers still use in preference to the modern day "Amfac" designation.

Among those attending were members of Hawaiian organizations and societies, Governor John David Waihee III, former Governor George R. Ariyoshi and Congressman Daniel K. Akaka, the November winner in the field of politics. The Marlene Sai musical extravaganza climaxed the evening's program. The artwork of Halawa High Security Facilities inmate Conrad Paleka, who learned art through his incarceration, graces the pages of a handsome program booklet. A Ho'olako souvenir medallion was given to eaeh one attending the affair.

Na Po'okela winners and their respective categories: January (Religion) — Reverend Abraham K. Akaka. February (Education) — Rubellite Kawena Johnson.

March (Art) — Herb Kawainui Kane. April (Culture) — Minnie Kaawaloa. May (Music) — Vicki li Rodrigues. May (Military) — Alexander Nalua Kahapea. June (Humanitarian)—Richard Lyman Jr. July (Dance) — Kau'i Zuttermeister. August (Navigation) — Nainoa Thompson. August (Sports) — William M. Smith. September (Science) — Abraham Kalilioku Pi'ianai'a. October (Communications) — Gard Kealoha. November (Politics) — Daniel K. Akaka. November ( Business ) — Kenneth F. Brown. December (Literature) — John Dominis Holt.

Richard Lyman Jr. Humanitarian '

Alexander Nalua Kahapea Military

Rev. Abraham K. Akaka Religion

l Bruce Lum photos

Kau'i Zuttermeister Dance

Rubellite Kawena Johnson Education

Nainoa Thompson Navigation