Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 24, Number 11, 1 November 2007 — Civic club confab [ARTICLE]

Civic club confab

The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs wrapped up its 48th annual convention in Anchorage, Alaska, last month, with more than 300 delegates from 52 member clubs and their guests in attendance. Their work included deliberating dozens of resolutions on a variety of issues, including settlement of Hawaiian trust lands, water rights for East Maui taro farmers and Moloka'i homesteaders, establishment of a Native Hawaiian cancer healing center, and development of a strategy for dealing with malignment of Hawaiian culture. "Powerful networking - the spirit in whieh everyone worked together was invigorating," said association President Leimomi Khan. Keynote speakers included lulie Kitka, president of the Alaska Federation of Natives, OHA Administrator Clyde Nāmu'o and Kamehameha Schools CEO Dee Jay Mailer. Convention participants were greeted by the Eklutna Tribe, whieh is native to Anchorage. "When the charter flight from Hawai'i arrived at the airport, there was a group of Alaska Natives that greeted everyone with song and dance, in their full costumes," said association First Vice president Soulee Stroud. "It was quite exciting being with them." Prince Kūhiō founded the mother club, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, in 1918; the association itself has been in existence for almost 50 years. It is one of the oldest and most established organizations that advocates for Native Hawaiians. Khan said the association is tied to Hawaiians across the U.S. "When we talk about nationhood, we function - in some way - as a body that connects our people globally," she said.

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