Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 5, Number 10, 1 October 1988 — Lei Hulu Mamo Award Goes to Richard Lyman, Jr. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Lei Hulu Mamo Award Goes to Richard Lyman, Jr.

Honored for "Outstanding Contribution to Politics"

Teacher. Farmer. Entrepreneur. Politician. Trustee. Philanthropist. Humanist. These are some of the roles that describe the life of a very rare individual who from his origins in Hilo, Hawaii has eome to be known as an outstanding Hawaiian, one of few who retain a native sense of plaee, of pono, of Hawaiian ways, and whose lifetime of achievement has set an example for others.

Richard K. Lyman, Jr., called affectionately by many in the Hawaiian community as "Papa" Lyman, was the honored recipient of the second annual Lei Hulu Mamo Award, presented August 5. This award is presented by the Hawaiian Civic Political Action Committee of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. HACPAC chairman Fred Cachola, Jr. said the purpose of the award is to recognize and honor "an outstanding individual of Hawaiian ancestry for a lifetime contribution to politics in the State of Hawaii." Nominations were invited from Hawaiian organizations, compiled by HACPAC and reviewed by a "blue ribbon" panel of judges, including Howard Chong, Republican Party leader, Jack Richard-

son, Democratic party leader, and Dr. DanTuttle, professor and political analyst. , Over 200 persons were on hand at the award banquet at the Queen Kapiolani Hotel, representing civic clubs, political parties and Hawaiian organizations. The lei hulu mamo, said Cachola, was selected by HACPAC for the award as a symbol of outstanding achievement, due to its association with alii, and the difficulty in assembling mamo garments for ranking chiefs and chiefesses. Cachola said "Mr. Lyman is a well-deserving individual. He was a member of the County of

Hawaii Board of Supervisors (a precursor to the County Council), served as a senator in the Territorial Legislature, and has been a trustee of Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate since 1959." "He has been a mentor and continuing influence on island politics, an outstanding model and supporter for aspiring Hawaiian politicians." Lyman, 85, has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions throughout his carrer. He was selected as the outstanding Hawaiian business and professional person two years ago by the Hawaii Business and Professional Association.

Lyman is known for his tireless one-man eampaign to spread correct information on Hawaiian plaee names and history. Under his leadership as president of the Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate Board of Trustees, service to Hawaiians has increased. This is evidenced through deve!opment of Kamehameha Schools community outreach programs and a rejuvenated Hawaiian Studies curriculum, said Cachola, who is Director of Extension Education for the schools.

Lyman is also the founder of the private Na Poki'i scholarship program for Hawaiian scholars. Cachola added that early in his career, Lyman was a pioneer in farming in lava lands, turning adversity into opportunity by converting areas of Kapoho and Pahoa into papaya and Puna orange farms. He also showed that it was possible to build a golf course over lava fields, previously considered wasteland. Lyman's lei hulu mamo award will be on display this month at . the office of Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate in Kawaiahao Plaza, in a handsome koa wood case.

He waiwai nui ka lokahi. Unitv is a precious possession. — Maiy Kawena Pukui. He hanai ali'i, he 'ai ahupua'a. The rearing of a chief is the ruling of an ahupua'a. — Mary Kawena Pukui.

Richard K. Lyman, Jr.

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