Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 14, Number 12, 1 December 1997 — Unified toward progress at AOHCC convention [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Unified toward progress at AOHCC convention

By Manu Bpyd OUT OF SIGHT, out of mind? Not so at the 38th annual convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs held Nov. 12-15 more than 2,000 miles away from Hawaii. Based this year at San Diego's Town and Country Resort and Convention Center, the gathering brought to light many Hawaiian issues and concems. Delegates representing dozens of clubs discussed topics ranging from heahh and higher education to the blood quantum of Hawaiian Homes beneficiaries. In all, nearīy 500 were in attendance. "Our theme, 'Pūpūkahi i Holomua' (unite in order to progress), has been the driving theme of this entire year, and will continue

as we walk together into the future," said association president Arthur Hoke. "Let me urge eaeh of you to form relationships with other Hawaiians outside of your present organizational affiliations, so we might 'unite in order to progress' in all that we do." OHA Chairperson A. Frenchy De Soto, though not in attendance, addressed eon-

ventioneers via a video message taped earlier at her Honolulu office. Inclusive leadership, unity, political sophistication and vigilance were themes in her 10-minute address. "I may be the chairperson, but I do not stand alone," DeSoto said. "As elected trustees, we have been called upon by our people to act as a team - to be approachable, fair and careful about how we carry out our responsibilities," she added. Also attending were Vice

Chair Haunani Apoliona, and trustees Rowena Akana, Clayton Hee, Colette Machado and Hannah Springer. Hawaiian Homes Chair Kali Watson, KSBE Trustee

Lokelani Lindsey and Maui County Mayor Linda Crockett Lingle shared their mana'o in both formal and informal settings. ĪHE ASSOCIATION of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, established by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole in 1918, is comprisedof 46 clubs representing Hawai'i, Maui, Moloka'i, O'ahu, Kaua'i ; and North America. Hosted by the Mainland Council of the AOHCC, the

San Diego convention attracted an impassioned crowd. Of the 38 resolutions reviewed by the body, the See AOHCC Convention on page 3

"Let me urge eaeh of you to form relationship5 with other Hawaiians outside of your present organizational affiliations, so we might 'unite in order to progress' in all that we do" 211^020081

Arthur Hoke. president of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Ciubs.

T> X O 3 [ & > e CD O -< I o

OHA's Madame Chair A. Frenchy DeSoto addresses conventioneers via video emphasizing strong leadership, teamwork, and the voting power of Hawaiians.

Continued from page 1 most controversial would allow heirs on the Hawaiian Homes waiting list with 25 percent Hawaiian blood to inherit their parents' spot on the list. Currently, "25 percenters" ean

inherit the lease of their parents already on the land. Three hours of debate resulted in the adoption of the resolution, amended several times, to included a clause saying that "25 percenters" could assume their deceased parents spot on the waiting list only after all other 50 percenters had been considered for leases. Currently, more than 16,000 native Hawaiians are on the waiting list.

A broad spectrum of resolutions was adopted: commending OHA and the University of Hawai'i for the establishment of the Hawaiian language college and the master's program in

Hawaiian language and literature; supporting 'īlio'ulaokalani, the coalition of kumu hula and cultural practitioners; commending Kamehameha Investment Corporation and KSBE for the restoration of the Lekeleke battle ground in Keauhou, Kona; afFtrming support

for the Ho'omalu ma Kualoa Hawaiian unity fora; urging the state to make public defacement, including but not limited to graffiti, a felony criminal offense; the commendation of Dr. Terry Shintani for his work with the Hawai'i (Wai'anae) diet; and many more. In the 'Aha Mele, an interclub competition of Hawaiian choral singing, Waimea Civic Club triumphed with their rendi-

tion of "E Nihi Ka Hele." Betty Kawohiokalani Jenkins, OHA's Kupuna Alaka'i and chair of the Nā Mea Hawai'i committee, instilled the value of "ho'olauna" (introductions). Edith Kawelohea McKinzie,

kumu hula, educator and genealogist, spoke on the importance and meaning of Hawaiian names. Dr.

Amy Ku'uleialoha

Stillman, UC Santa Barbara, spoke on mele and hula

research and panels gave enlightening

presentations on "Keeping Hawaiians Healthy," and " Post-High Education for Hawaiians."

The 39th annual convention of the AOHCC is scheduled j

for November 1998, and will be hosted by the Kaua'i Council in Līhu'e. For information on how to become involved in the Hawaiian civic /

club movement, write to the

association at P.O. Box 1135, Honolulu, HI 96807. ■

AOHCC Convention

OHA's Pīkake Pelekai and Luei Meyer share information on Operation 'Ohana and other OHA programs.

Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'oie established the Hawaiian civic movemment in 1918, and, in 1921, helped to establish the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act