Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 1, 1 January 1989 — New Mainland District Created [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

New Mainland District Created

Civic Club Convention Takes Historic Steps

by Deborah Lee Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA "E paepae iluna loa i ka malamalama — Hold high the light of knowledge" was a fitting theme for the 29th annual convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AHCC) in Keauhou, Kona November 16-19, 1988. Almost 700 persons attended the convention — club delegates, members and guests. Dedicated to the memory of late AHCC president, Benson W.K. Lee, the convention represented a historic step forward for the civic club movement. The first civic club was founded by Prince Kuhio in 1918 to develop Hawaiian leadership and improve the Hawaiian condition. Present paid membership in the Association is approximately 2,350 in 43 clubs in Hawai'i and five clubs on the mainland. Several momentous decisions were made by the 251 voting club delegates and alternates during the convention, whieh included an unprecedented two-day constitutional convention to review and refine the existing AHCC constitution and bylaws. An amended constitution and bylaws were presented and adopted on the general convention floor. Chief among the decisions made were "critical clarifications regarding the tax-exempt status of the Association" and the nature of its activities. The AHCC board of directors will soon be applying for a 501(c) (4) tax-exempt status. This Internal Revenue Service designation will identify the Association as a "civic league and social welfare" organization. Workshops are contemplated for individual clubs who want to apply for their own nonprofit, tax-exempt status. Another major step was the mutually-agreed upon removal of the Hawaiian Civic Political Aetion Committee (HACPAC) from the Association umbrella. This step was viewed necessary to protect the non-profit status of a number of the clubs from IRS restrictions. It also will give HACPAC members (at present, all are active civic club members) the freedom to develop it into a strong force for Hawaiian organizations needing poliheal support but lacking the expertise to pursue it. Another sign of growth was approval for the creation of a mainland district eouneil whieh will give the five mainland clubs representation on the Association Board. (A Colorado club has been newly chartered, sponsored by the Nanaikapono Hawaiian Civic Club). The mainland clubs were not part of any district eouneil and had no representation on the board although they eome under its jurisdiction. Formation of the mainland eouneil represents a major step forward by the civic club movement in the west coast states of California, Utah and Colorado. lnterest in forming clubs in additional mainland states has been expressed.

The new!y-formed mainland district eouneil will now have to amend its draft constitution to be compatible with the Association's newly amended constitution. The clubs have a year to organize their eouneil and elect officers. One club, the Ahahui Kalakaua Hawaiian Civic Club of San Francisco, California, unsuccessfully sought to eonhnue its historical status under the association board. Club president Mayday Card stated her belief in a minority report that, under its charter, Ahahui Kalakaua was bound to its original status until a mainland district eouneil is established and active. Until this happens, and a relationship under a new eouneil is agreed on by both the Association and the clubs in the new eouneil, the club felt it must remain under the old terms, or possibly withdraw from the Association. However, the other mainland clubs have indicated they will try to aeeommodate the Ahahui Kalakaua concerns in forming the new district eouneil. In addition to adopting numerous resolutions on a wide range of issues of eoneem, the final hours of the convention saw the presentation of several service awards. The Prince Kuhio award for the outstanding Hawaiian civic club went to the Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club for most clearly fulfilling the objectives of the association. The award for outstanding Hawaiian civic club member went to Katherine Farm, a member and director of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu. The award for outstanding Hawaiian went to Malia Craver of the Ko'olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club (see stories this issue). The award for outstanding non-Hawaiian was presented to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye with high praise for his aloha, commitment to and exemplary leadership efforts on behalf of Native Hawaiian concerns. A report by education committee chairman Dexter Soares followed, on the progress of the Na Poki'i graduate scholarship program started by the AHCC in 1975. Now administered by the Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate, the graduate studies fund was increased to $50,000 for 1988-89, in eommemoration of the Schools' centennial. The Na Ho'okama A Pauahi undergraduate scholarship fund was increased to $850,000 the same year, for a total of $1 million in scholarship aid to Hawaiian students. Soares noted there are now 60 scholarship recipients pursuing their education in medicine, law, education, aerospace science, optometry and oceanography. He noted that the Na Poki'i scholarships, brainchild of KS/BE trustee Richard Lyman, Jr. and Gladys A. Brandt, continue to grow. New Association officers for 1989 on the executive committee are: Jalna Keala (Alii Pauahi HCC), president, (Keala is the first woman to be elected as AHCC president. She was first vice president to AHCC president Benson Lee and completed the rest of his term); H.K. Bruss Keppeler (HCC of

Honolulu), first vice president; Walter Victor, Jr. (Laupahoehoe HCC), second vice president; Betty Lou Stroup (Pnnee Kuhio HCC), was unanimously re-elected as treasurer. Also on the executive committee of the Association board are: immediate past president Whitney T. Anderson (Kailua HCC); Dr. George H. Mills (Ko'olauloa HCC), president emeritus. Directors of the Association Board are: Dexter Soares (Kalihi-Palama HCC), Oahu District Couneil president; Peter Ching (Pearl Harbor HCC); Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins (Alii Pauahi HCC); Linda Kawai'ono Delaney (Prince Kuhio HCC); Ann Nathaniel* (Prince David Kawananakoa HCC), Hawaii District Council president; A.D. "Sonny" Fernandez (Central Maui HCC), Maui-Moloka'i-Lana'i District Council president; Lono Cathcart (Moloka'i HCC); Fred Conant* (Hanalei HCC), Kaua'i District Council president; and Lionel Kaohi (Kaumuali'i HCC). Nona Kamai (Waikiki HCC) and Shirley Kamakele (Queen Emma HCC) were appointed to the corresponding and recording secretary positions, respectively. *re-elected Outgoing executive board members are: Toni Lee (Pearl Harbor HCC), first vice president; Kina'u Kamali'i (Prince Kuhio HCC), second vice president; Lila Medeiros (Pearl Harbor HCC), O'ahu District Council president; O'ahu district eouneil director Dawn Farm-Ramsey (HCC of Honolulu); and Candice Hurley (Princess Ka'iulani HCC), recording secretary and Lily Pa (Hilo HCC), corresponding secretary. While the convention delegates praised the Kona Surf facility and management hospitality, it was decided that the 1989 AHCC convention will be held in Honolulu. This is in line with association practice to rotate convention sites. The 1987 eonvention was held in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As Gladys Ainoa Brandt jubilantly aeknowledged the new graduate scholarship fund named in her honor, she recalled the mo'olelo, encouraging Hawaiians to seek improvement for themselves and all Hawaiians: "Imua e na poki'i inu i ka wai awaawa," (literally, "Come my brothers and sisters and drink of the bitter water.")

Fine Hawaiian crafts,from feather leis to musical instruments were on display and for sale at the convention.

Mae Akamu and Sonja Mentges of the Ka'u Hawaiian Civic Club demonstrate cordagemaking for replica weapons, in the "Na Mea Hawai'i" crafts and exhibit room at the AHCC convention.

AHCC president Jalna Keala (right) presents first-place Governor's trophy to Nora Knowles, who directed the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club in the 'Aha Mele songfest.