Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 6, 1 June 1988 — Council Honors Thompson, Naope; Waianae's Silvas also Recognized [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Council Honors Thompson, Naope; Waianae's Silvas also Recognized

The Honolulu City Council has honored Aunty Dottie Thompson, George Naope and the many individuals who have established the Merrie Monarch Festival as a cultural milestone over the past 25 years. The Council chambers were fragrant with the scent of flower leis as the honored guests rose one by one to be recognized . The list of honorees was a roll eall of some of Hawaii's most respected and revered kumu hula, kupuna and cultural leaders. Dottie Thompson, long-time chairperson of the festival, was regal in leis of ilima and other precious flowers. Merrie Monarch Festival founder George Na'ope, who was traveling in Japan, was unable to be present for the ceremony, but Hawai'i kumu hula Ray Fonseca accompanied Aunty Dottie. The resolution, whieh singles out Aunty Dottie and kumu hula Na'ope, was co-introduced by Council members Leigh-Wai Doo, David Kahanu and John DeSoto. In speaking for the resolution, Doo called the Merrie Monarch's 25th anniversary a "milestone in Hawaii's cultural history". Looking around the packed Council Chambers, Doo said "These men and women . . . teachers, scholars . . . descendants of a remarkable people who, despite the politieal, eeonomie and social upheavals that haveoften threatened the very survival of their culture, have provided for its preservation through their hard work." Among those honored for their contributions were Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr. and OHA Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III. Doo noted that the Board of Trustees of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs "this year awarded for the first time a Hawaiian Language Award at the Merrie Monarch Festival." A seoarate resolution adooted at the same Mav

11 Council meeting "extends appreciation and gratitude to Albert and Theola Silva for their generosity and aloha to the Waianae community." Eaeh year the Silvas have put on a luau for the Waianae community at their Ohikilolo Ranch near the end of the road at Makaha. The first one was 14 years ago when they started the ranch. Silva says "eaeh year we had another luau to give thanks for our success for the good life, for our good fortune." But 1988 apparently is the end of both the luaus and Ohikilolo Ranch. Their land has been sold and the new owners reportedly will build a golf course on the site. The resolution, introduced by Councilmember John DeSoto, praises the Silvas as "a great example of family that make Hawaii a better plaee to Iive." It continues: "Their inspiring commitment to the people of the land lends greater meaning to the Spirit of Aloha."

Theola Silva tries to restrain tears as Councilman John DeSoto reads resolution honoring her and her husband, Albert, for their generosity and sharing in the Waianae eommunity.

The City Council of the City and County of Honolulu honored these kumu hula, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Merrie Monarch's Dottie Thompson and George Naope during recent ceremonies in the Council chambers. Naope was unable to attend. Reading from leftto rightfront row, Noe Zuttermeister Lewis, Leinaala Heine Kalama, Vicky Holt Takamine. Second row, Councilman John DeSoto, Aloha Dalire, Kau'i Zuttermeister, Mapuana de Silva, Natalie A'i, OHA Administrator Kamaki A. Kanahele III. Third row, Cy Bridges, OHA Board Chairman Moses K. Keale Sr., Councilman Leigh Wai Doo, Dottie Thompson, Ray Fonseca and Marsha Morrison.