Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 17, Number 6, 1 June 2000 — Remembering "Moke" [ARTICLE]

Remembering "Moke"

By Gladys 'Alnoa Brandt Moses kapalekilahao Keale, know affectionately as "Moke," radiated a great feeling of aloha for his people. During his nearly two decades of unbroken service as trastee, Moke served as the heartbeat and soul of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, providing spiritual guidance and leadership for our organization. In 1998, 1 joined the OHA Board as interim trustee. There, I had the good fortune to eome to know J this humble and gentle Hawaiian man who represented Kaua'i and Ni'ihau. Moke and I shared an affinity for these islands that I first eame to know in 1927, at the outset of my | career with the Department of Education. I served the children of Kaua'i for more than a third of the last century and had a special eoneem for the growth and progress of youngsters who shared my Hawaiian ancestry. The feehng of pride I felt toward Moke was not unlike the sentiments that arose in me whenever I looked upon the achievements of a prized stu- * dent, or how a kupuna might regard the development of her punahele. I did so admire Moke's desire to make a difference in the lives of Hawaiians. It was his labor of love, and the achievements bome of his efforts touched the hearts and bettered the conditions of many. See BRANDT on page 5

BRANDT

From page 1 Important OHA programs such as 'Aha 'Ōpio, 'Aha Kupuna, the Native Hawaiian Historic Preservation Council and the Native Hawaiian Education Foundation owe their existence to the foresight, hard work, and persistence of Trustee Keale. He was also instrumental in forging a partnership on Kaua'i between OHA and the Habitat for Humanity that resulted in the construction of housing for Hawaiians. Assisting aspiring beneficiaries to heeome entrepreneurs was another of Moke's concems. It Ied him to support the establishment of the Native Hawaiian Revolving Loan Fund. The Small Business Association recognized Moke's efforts by naming him Minority Business Advocate of the Year. Moke's leadership qualities were built upon a foundation of spirituality and Christian faith. For years he served as ehaplain for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and in 1992 he was ordained kahu and assisted in the ministry of the members of Ke Akua Mana Church in Kapa'a. He began our OHA meetings with pule in our native tongue that were noteworthy for their beauty. Harmony would be more in keeping with our ancestral heritage. Moke grasped this, as well as he understood other aspects of our culture. So impressive was his knowledge of nā mea Hawai'i that he was recognized as a Living Treasure by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission and chaired the Native Hawaiian Culture Arts Program at Bishop Museum. In a very Hawaiian way, Moke was quick to acknowledge that these accomplishments would not have been possible without the support and love of his 'ohana. In 1992, he told the Hawaiian Civic Club convention, "It is the family unit that represents the strongest of bonds, the strongest of wills, the strongest of love." I am proud and honored to have known this extraordinary man... a full-blooded Hawaiian with an unwavering commitment to do what is pono for his people... a hurnble, eloquent native speaker whose words inspired us all. ■