Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 2, 1 February 1990 — Oʻahu hosts Civic Clubs convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Oʻahu hosts Civic Clubs convention

By Deborah Lee Ward Editor, Ka Wai Ola O OHA Acceptance of a new mainland districf eouneil was the highlight of the 30th annual convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. The eonvention theme was"E Pupukahi I Pono Ai Kakou," "Let us unite together in harmony, good thoughts and values, with the intention of resolving things for the betterment of all." Association president Jalna Keala said more than 600 club membersand guests attended the Nov. 15-19, 1989, event held at the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki. Elected as mainland eouneil president was Victor Kaiwi Pang of the Ainahau O Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club. Council officers are (club affiliation in parentheses): first vice president, Brucella Berard ('Ahahui O Lili'uokalani), second vice president, Ellen Selu (Hui O Hawai'i O Utah), treasurer, Dewey Clark (Na Po'e O Hawai'i O Colorado), and director Andy Berard (Ahahui O Lili'uokalani). The new eouneil represents five clubs — the ones mentioned above plus the newly chartered Las Vegas HHC — and approximatelv 500 members.

Two new clubs were welcomed and received charters in the association. Officers of the new Queen Kapi'olani Hawaiian Civic Club are: president Luana Beck, secretary Cathy Gagnon and directors Candace Hurley and Frances Saffery. Officers of the new 90-member Las Vegas Hawaiian Civic Club are: president Wayne Panoke and first vice-president Diane Simms. In his weleome address to the clubs, Honolulu Mayor Frank F. Fasi compared the influx of foreign investors in the 19th century for pineapple and sugar to today's wave of foreign investment in Hawaii's real estate. He urged Hawaiians to speak out to state leaders to keep Hawai'i an affordable and livable plaee for island residents and their families. Guest speaker on the first full day of club business was the Rev. Leon K. Sterling of the Kona Hawaiian Civic Club. Speaking on the theme, "Ho'okahi No Maua Ewe," "We are of one lineage," Sterling said "You and I are the heirs of a sophisticated, sustaining, practical culture . . . We are the survivors of a very gifted population . . . who were given great gifts of land and water. "The Hawaiian civic clubs, conceived by an ali'i elected to high office, have been responsible for preserving the ewe, our long tie to our heritage. The association represents communities of Hawaiians — electing our own officers, coming to meetings, eaeh one with their own voice — to debate and discuss. Do not deny eaeh other the ehanee to speak freely, to exchange mana'o. "Together this gives us mana." Highlight of the 'Ahaaina grand banquet that concluded the week of convention activities was presentation of the outstanding service awards. Reynolds Kamakawiwoole, a 1965 graduate of Honoka'a High School, was named outstanding Hawaiian and honored for his service and leader-

ship to his community. Kamakawiwoole is active in community affairs and has been named outstanding County of Hawai'i employee. He is a poliee officer with the Hawai'i Poliee Department. He and his family were named the Hawai'i Jaycee family of the Year. Kamakawiwoole is president of the Hamakua Hawaiian Civic Club and serves on the board of directors of Alu Likein Hilo. He hasprovided testimony and information on many issues including federal task force meetings on Hawaiian Homes Land and other Hawaiian issues.

Beatrice Krauss, a well-known expert in Hawaiian ethnobotany was named outstanding non-Hawaiian. She was a published scientist and researcher for over 40 years with the University of Hawai'i Pineapple Research Institute. Since 1972 Krauss has been a research affiliate of Lyon Arboretum, and continues her research, writing and speaking. Her expertise on Hawaiian plants is often sought. She is a member of the Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club. Peter Ching, second vice president of the Pearl Continued on page 23

Mainland district eouneil officers and club members, front row (left to right): Brucella Halani Berard, Jane Kaala Pang, Ellen Selu, Kalima Yadanza. Back row (left to right): Dewey Clark, John Jensen, Victor Pang, Diane Simms, Jackie Judd, Kathy Frink, and Andy Berard.

CiViC ClUbS from page 5

Harbor HCC was named outstanding Hawaiian civic club member. He has served as chair of his club s scholarship program, an advisor to the Na Opio youth members, fundraiser and excursion coordinator and choir member. He is sports and community relations committee chairman for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. The Prince Kuhio award for the outstanding Hawaiian civic club was presented to the Ainahau O Kaleponi Hawaiian Civic Club. A popular annual feature of the AHCC convention is the 'Aha Mele song competition. Program mistress of ceremonies was Haunani Apoliona, her sixth year in the role. The mele chosen this year were in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani, and included some of the queen's compositions. Clubs performed two songs in eaeh of the three categories: adjudication, exhibition and competition. The following two clubs performed in the adjudicated category, whieh means their songs were judged, but they chose to not have their scores put in competition: The Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club, directed by Nola A. Nahulu performed

"Uluwehi O Ka'ala," their club song, by Kanihomau'ole and arranged by C.K. Kealoha. They also sang "Nohea I Mu'olaulani," a composition by the Queen and Mekia Ke'alaka'i, and arranged by Nola Nahulu. The Queen Emma Hawaiian Civic Club, directed by Debbie Kelsey, sang "Ka'ahumanu," by Helen Desha Beamer and arranged by Leila Hohu Kiaha. Their second pieee was "Puna Paia 'A'ala," written by Queen Lili'uokalani and arranged by Debbie Kelsey. Two clubs chose to sing in exhibition, without being judged. This is the first time this category has been opened. The Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, led by Manu Boyd, sang "Lei Awapuhi," by Mekia Ke'alakai and arranged by Leila Hohu Kiaha. Their second number was "Aloha 'Oe," composed by Queen Lili'uokalani and arranged by Manu Boyd. The Pnnee Kuhio Hawaiian Civic Club, directed by Kyle Mahi Mon, sang "Kaua I Ka Huahua'i," by Leleiohoku, and "Ka Ipo Nohea," by Lili'uokalani. Both songs were arranged by Kyle Mori.

Winner of the song competition category was, aptly, the 'Ahahui O Lili'uokalani HCC of California. Directed by Peter Avillanoza, they sang "Sanoe," written by the Queen, and as arranged by Robert U. Cazimero. Their second pieee was "Haili Po I Ka Lehua," a traditional pieee arranged by Randie K. Fong. Also competing were the 'Ainahau O Kaleponi HCC, directed by H. Jay Mannion. They sang a medley of "Waika," (composed by Johnny Spencer), "Na Ali'i," (Samuel Kuahiwi), and He Inoa No Pauahi," (traditional). They concluded with "Pauahi O Kalani," composed by Lilli'uokalani. The Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, directed by Nora Knowles sang "Kahilu O Waimea," a traditional song arranged by Johnny Spencer, and a medley of "Lili'u E," "Sanoe," and "Kaulana Na Pua," The 'Aha Mele concluded with over 200 participants on stage and the audience joining in to sing "Makalapua," sung in honor of Queen Lili'uokalani.