Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 10, 1 October 1988 — Hawaiian Leadership Conference Focuses on Process of Maturing [ARTICLE]

Hawaiian Leadership Conference Focuses on Process of Maturing

"Kanaka Makua," (the maturing adult) is the theme of an exciting two-day conference on issues of Hawaiian leadership, to be held on October 1314, 1988 on the Hilo campus of the University of Hawai'i. A sequel to the inaugural event held in November 1987, this year's conference promises to provide an arena for discussion, ideas, action plans and activities.

The organizing committee, comprised largely of faculty and students from UH-Hilo and a eommu-nity-based task force, are hoping to attract a broader array of grassroots organizations, eommunity groups, loeal government officials, department representatives, private sector organizations and concerned citizens to look onee again at what ean be done to foster and promote Hawaiian leadership throughout Hawai'i.

Last year, conferees grappled with the challenge of defining Hawaiian leadership and arrived at this generalized statement: "Effective Hawaiian leaders are Hawaiians who, remaining true to their culture, use their mana to accomplish their people's goals of excellence and empower their people in our contemporary society. Effective Hawaiian leaders must be aggressive in the western world in order to protect Hawaiian people's rights, values, traditions and 'aina. In order to remain true to their culture, Hawaiian leaders care about malama 'aina (care of the land), lahui (The Hawaiian nation), 'olelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language), na kupuna (grandparents or elders), na mo 'olelo Hawai'i (traditions), na hana no 'eau (arts), and regaining their kuleana (riqhts)."

Building on this definition, the focus of the 1988 conference will highlight kanaka makua and its relationship to leadership in modern Hawai'i. According to Lynette Paglinawan, a member of the Hawaiian leadership Task Force who participated in the planning of the conference. kanaka makua is a "maturational process by whieh one emulates a mature adult." For example, an 18-year

old might decide to watch and leam from an older person. She further explained that kanaka makua should be the basis for all Hawaiian leaders. Essentially it is the development or fine tuning of qualities within an individual over time. Speaking to this subject will be Dr. George Kanahele, well known scholar, author, and entrepreneur. In his recent book, "Ku Kanaka," Kanahele raises the concept of kanaka makua,

and its importance and plaee m ancient nawai ī. One of the goals of the conference is to focus attention on the reality and importance of kanaka makua for modern Hawaiians living in the 1980's and 90's. Space at the conference is limited so interested individuals or groups should contact either Manu Meyer at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (9333413) or Ed Kanahele (933-3421 or 959-9832). A highlight of this conference (and a unanimous favorite in 1987) will be a pa'ina and entertainment on the evening of October 13.