Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 9, 1 September 2011 — Recognizing dedication [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Recognizing dedication

By Lynn Cook t was an evening of celebration at the 13th annual Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards Dinner at Bishop Museum. The museum presented Gov. Neil Abercrombie with the 32nd Charles Reed Bishop Medal and presented Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee S. Haunani Apoliona with its inaugural Bemice Pauahi Bishop Medal, honoring her 30 years of dedication to the betterment of the Native Hawaiian eommunity, including 13 years as Trustee of OHA. Arriving early, Apoliona crossed the breezy campus of Bishop Museum to the Great Lawn, whieh was transformed into an elegant dining room. Friends and fans presented layer upon layer of lei and congratulations. "I ean feel the spirits of Bernice Pauahi Bishop and Charles Reed Bishop being one with us on this Hawaiian evening," said Apoliona, the longest-serving former Chairperson of OHA, who previously served for 19 years at Alu Like Ine. She mentioned the plaee called Kaiwi'ula, noting that three years after Pauahi's passing in 1884, the Kamehameha School for Boys was established on the site "and continues to educate generations still." For her acceptance speech, Apoliona took time not to talk about her own work but to praise the many hands, the notables, who over 122 years labored to infuse life, longevity and excellence into scholastic work and publications of the museum- the work done for all the students of Hawaiian culture and tradition. "These people are

the leaders of our society, in Hawai'i and away from our shores," she said. Apoliona described the legacy of Mary Kawena Pukui and her three decades of work that laid the foundation for the Hawaiian Renaissance. She compared the museum to a garden, a space that feeds and produces, a sphere of promising potential that requires loving attention, where all may gather, roll up their sleeves, invest time and, in turn, reap the benefit of ancestral wisdom, cultural and scientific knowledge and peaee of spirit to guide life's steps. Governor Abercrombie said the museum holds special memories for him. "When I first eame to this plaee," he said, "I was a young boy. I was awestruck by the majesty of the high ceilings in Hawaiian Hall. It was a feeling of reverence." The Governor was honored with the Charles Reed Bishop Medal for his commitment to parks, wilderness areas, oceans, natural resources and the interests of the indigenous peoples by securing billions of dollars for the Islands in sectors ranging from high-tech to heahh and education. His smile lit up the evening when he announced the release of $1.5 million and $1 million in state funds for work on the Bishop Museum Planetarium and Polynesian Hall. Museum President and CEO Blair Collis and former President Tim Johns were pleased with the announcement and said the projects were "shovel ready." Music ranged from the University of Hawai'i Brass Hawaiian Ensemble and SEE DEDIGATI0N ON PAGE 29

Gov. Neil Abercrombie and OHA Trustee Haunani Apoliona, honorees of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Awards Dinner. - Photo: EdMorita, Office ofthe Governor

DEDICATION

Continued from page 23 Hawai'i Youth Symphony String Ensemble to Natalie Ai Kamau'u and Hālau Hula Olana, culminating with honoree Apoliona joining her bandmates, Jerry Santos and Olomana, as Santos said with a smile, "to sing for her supper." For the standing ovation of the evening, the Governor joined Apoliona and Olomana in a rousing rendition of "Beyond the Reef," drawing applause, smiles and comments across the audience that he might have yet another career in music. The sold-out July 30 awards dinner and silent auction was a benefit for Bishop Museum. ■ Lynn Cook is a loeal freelance journa!ist sharing the arts and culture ofHawai'i with a gIobaI audience.