Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 11, Number 5, 1 May 1994 — Haunani Apoliona receives prestigious ʻŌʻō award [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Haunani Apoliona receives prestigious ʻŌʻō award

"E alu like mai kākou. e nā oiwi o Hawai'i, nā pua mae'ole, nā pua nani e. ..." "AIu Like," composed by S. Haunani Apoliona

In recognition of her many contributions to the Hawaiian eommunity and her musical talent, the Native H a w a i i a n Chamber of Commerce honored S. H a u n a n i Apoliona, president and chief executive officer of Alu Like,

ine. as the distinguished recipient of its 18th annual 'Ō'ō award. Apoliona received the award at a dinner banquet held in her honor April 22. Funds raised from the banquet were donated to Kōkua Loa Institute, a non-profit, taxexempt subsidiary of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, whieh was established to research and study eeonomie models of sovereign nations. Findings will be communicated to the public through educational forums and symposiums. Sandi Haunani Oguma, first vice president of the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce, said, "In the 16 years of Apoliona's association with Alu Like, she has overcome

many trying situations. Alu Like's native Hawaiian participation in the job market has been increased by efforts to expand services to Hawaiians with such programs as job training and employment, computer training and vocational education. "Apoliona's creative talent in music composition takes her beyond ordinary marketing. Through her music she is able to perpetuate the spirit of working together. Apoliona has consistently demonstrated and disseminated her knowledge of Hawaiian values to the community through her work and music. "Additionally, she has repeatedly demonstrated her eommitment to public service. It is for these reasons and more that we are proud to present her with this award." Apoliona began her upward journey with Alu Like in 1978 as an intake placement specialist. Rising through management positions, by 1991 she was appointed president and chief executive officer .

Currently, her responsibilities include directing and administering the activities of Alu Like and developing long-range strategic plans to advance the agency's mission, goals and objectives. Alu Like, ine., established in 1975, is not-for-profit, taxexempt, human services organization, govemed by a board of directors comprised of island and at-large membership. Alu Like employs a staff of approximately 180 on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i and Hawai'i. It provides services in social development, eeonomie development, education and employment through projects and programs that include: the Offender/Ex-offender Project and Substance Abuse Prevention Project, Native Hawaiian Vocational Education, Hawai'i Computer Training Center, Elderly Services, Adult and Youth Entrepreneurship and Business Development,

Native Hawaiian Library Project, JTPA, services to youth-at-risk and others. Alu Like works in partnership with OHA in the development of multi-service systems across the state, and in the provision of management and technical assistance to OHA's Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund applicants and recipients. Alu Like also works with IBM, Kamehameha Schools, James B. Campbell Estate and other corporate partners through the Hawai'i Computer Training Center. A graduate of the University of Hawai'i-Mānoa, Apoliona has a master's degree in social work and double bachelor's degrees in sociology and liberal studies (with an emphasis in Hawaiian studies).

She is a member and serves on the board of numerous community organizations such as Nā Pua No'eau Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, University of Hawai'i-Hilo; Native Hawaiian Children National Advisory Council; the Lupus Foundation; the Nature Conservancy; and Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, to name a few. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards recognizing her performance and composition in the recording arts. The Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce presents the 'Ō'ō award annually to a native Hawaiian business person or professional who has skillfully used his or her talent to succeed in business or a chosen profession. Established in 1974, the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce strives to encourage and promote the interest of its members engaged in trade, commerceand the professions. For information about the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce contact Sandi Haunani Oguma at 247-7211 or Leighton Suganuma at 377-5611.

Haunani Apoliona