Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 22, Number 12, 1 December 2005 — Civic action [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Civic action

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs holds another successful convention By Manu Buyd Public lnfnrmatinn Directnr In October, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AHCC) held another successful convention - their 46th - bringing 440 Hawaiians together from throughout Hawai'i and the continent to discuss matters of importance to 'ōiwi Hawai'i. Founded by Prince Kūhiō in 1918 as the original entity now known as the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, the association now includes 48 clubs - 36 in Hawai'i and 11 on the continent. Like a legislative body, individual clubs introduce resolutions relating to Native Hawaiian eommunity concerns ranging from health to education to sovereignty. Many weeks before the fall convention, clubs review all resolutions submitted, discuss them, propose amendments and take formal positions. At the convention, subject matter committees spend hours discussing, amending and debating the merits of the measures. In all, 36 resolutions were acted on by the convention delegates. One measure, a resolution

urging Congress and the State Legislature to continue supporting the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act (the Akaka Bill) was overwhelmingly reaffirmed by the body of delegates, although the Queen Emma and Ka Lei Maile Ali'i Hawaiian Civic Clubs opposed it. Opposing testimony by a number of individuals centered on proposed amendments to the legislation that have yet to be acted on by Congress. The 'Aha Mele Hawaiian choral singing competition was won by the Waimea Hawaiian Civic Club, who beautifully performed Keawaiki and Ke Akua Mana ē. Among other eonvention honorees were JoAnn Stark of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu for outstanding civic club member; 'Āinahau o Kaleponi for outstanding Hawaiian civic club; and Nālani 01ds for outstanding Hawaiian non-civic club member. A brand-new club in Chicago was chartered: the Ka Ali'i Victoria Hawaiian Civic Club. Under the leadership of AHCC President Toni Lee, this year's theme, "Ho'oikaika i ka Waiwai Na'auao o nā 'Ōiwi: Strengthen the Value of Wisdom for the Future" set the tone for a productive and enjoyable convention. Hosted by the Hawai'i Council, this year's four-day event was held at the Fairmont Orchid Mauna Lani in South Kohala. Next year's convention will be hosted by the O'ahu Council, and will be held Oct. 23-29, 2006, at the Waiklkl Beach Marriot. □

NŪ HOU • NEWS

The mūinlūnd eouneil of the AHCC comprises 1 1 clubs from Alosko to the west coost to Wohington, D.C. Photo: courtesy of AHCC