Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 10, 1 October 2009 — Orlando basks in aloha spirit [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Orlando basks in aloha spirit

This year the Hō'ike Hawai'i 'ohana, a group of dedicated volunteers working to support the perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture, hosted its 12th annual Hula Competition andMākaha Sons Concert on Aug. 1 and 2 at the Hihon Hotel at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Everyone who comes to this event feels genuinely embraced by

the spirit of aloha. Even though it is a "competition," our participating hālau from across the U.S. and Canada say this a really fun event and they feel so "at home" and relaxed in the company of other hālau participants. The Kau Inoa registration was again a part of the annual Hōi'ke Hawai'i Hula competition. Leilani Longbons and her family comprised the Kau Inoa registration team. Lei-

lani and her brother, Randy Avon, as members of the Mossman-Avon Loundation, presented the Spirit of Aloha Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of their mother, Pualani Mossman Avon, who many of us recognize as the early Matson (Navigation) poster ad personality. — Ginger Levoie of Hō'ike Hawai'i and Leiīani Longbons ofthe MossmanAvon Foundation I

Leilani Longbons and family were the Kau Inoa registrars at the Hō'ike. Longbons is the daughter of Pualani Mossman Avon, who graced many early Matson posters. - Photo: Courtesy ofLeilani Longbons