Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 9, 1 September 1999 — Hawaiians on the move: islandwide, nationwide, worldwide [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiians on the move: islandwide, nationwide, worldwide

KE ALOHA nui e nā 'ōiwi o Hawai'i. This 37th artiele in a series of 46 highlights three gatherings in July and August, where Hawaiians joined in the spirit of collaboration, to assert the principles that "Hawaiians have a right to a quality life" and "Hawaiians are people X 1U W UilUilO (UW

of mulhple talents." The F1RST event, covered in the July Ka Wai Ola, marked the blessing of Kūlana 'Ōiwi, the Hawaiian Multi-Service Center in Kalama'ula, Moloka'i. The "will and the way" brought eompletion to this multi-part-ner facility focused on serving Hawaiians, kamali'i to kupuna — Hawaiian 'ohana. Eaeh Hawaiian service agency in resi-

dence now focuses on unified effort ■ to better the quality of life for our 'ōiwi Hawai'i in a holistic, coordinat- E ed fashion through kuleana of eulture, education, employment and training, advocacy, child and elder, community development, social, eeo- I nomie development, health and hous- I ing services. This collective endeavor, utdlizing the mulhple talents, strengths and resources of the agencies and their personnel, ean serve as a model for all islands and show suc- I cess working together for the 21st century. The SECOND event to highlight, occurred in Honolulu at 'Iolani Palaee on July 31 (see picture). The , affirmation ceremonies for 66 dele- \ gates of the 'AHA HAWAI'I 'ŌIWI * (Native Hawaiian Convention) on the |5 palaee steps asserted, onee again, the principles that "Hawaiians have a right to a quality life" and "Hawaiians are people of multiple talents." Despite

the criticism of the electoral process and other human and political obstacles, these 66 Hawaiians of mulhple talents stood with dignity to affirm their commitment to bettering the quality of lŪe for Hawaiians in kuleana of self-governance toward ultdmate management of Hawaiian assets. These Hawaiian beneficiaries and delegates, among them, Louis Agard and Leona Kalima, familiar faces at OHA, are determined to make a difference. At this writing, OHA's Board of Trustees has not

formally acted to define OHA's role in relation to any Hawaiian convention. Additionally, it has not formally acted on the funding request for Jhe Native Hawaiian Convention Hā Hawai'i, ine. submitted to OHA in April 1998, more thanl5_months ago. Nonetheless, on July 31, 'AHA HAWAI'I 'OIWI delegates elected their leadership: Charles Rose, chair; Keoni Agard, first vice-chair; Eeelō' Kawaihae-Rodrigues, second vice-chair; Māhealani Soo APOLIONA on paee 7

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The affirmation ceremonies for 66 'AHA HAWAIi 'ŌIWI (Native Hawaiian Convention) delegates on the steps of 'lolani Paiaee July 31.

APOUONA

From page 6 Kamau'u, secretary; and James Woolsey, treasurer. In the next few weeks, delegates will meet to approve their operational plan and eonhnue the outreach to Hawaiian beneficiaries statewide, for tiieir inpuL Concurrently, OHA's puwalu advisory group is meeting. The THIRD event to highhght is the week-long Fifth World Indigenous People's Conference on Education (WIPCE), held in Hilo August 1-7 . The Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation chaired the eonference in its continuing mission to "improve Native Hawaiians' quahty of life through education." WIPCE is hekl every three years, and past locations include Vancouver, British Columbia; Turangawaiwai, New Zealand; Wohongong, Austraha; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. WIPCE's 1999 Iheme, "Aia nā

hā'ina i loko o kākou", (the answers he within us), set the framework "to focus on the past, present and future of cultural practice, identify current needs, strengthen future cohaborations and offer direction and guidance as we enter into the next mihennium." In May 1985, the first conference attended by indigenous people was held in British Columbia. "Ihe result of tiieir first meeting was the formation of the International Indigenous People's Education Association. Membership was open to ah who beheved the bridge to cultural survival and educational success lies in incorporating traditional values and behefs with existing educational practices." WIPCE's success is a result of woriring hands, together, who beheve "Hawaiians have a right to a quahty life" and "Hawaiians are people of multiple talents." There is mueh to celebrate. Mahalo i nā lima hana a me ke Akua a me nā 'aumākua. ■

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